What It’s Like … to Get Out of My Comfort Zone

For Taylor Evans ’28, growth has come from saying yes to the unfamiliar. An international business and economics double major, Evans has spent the past two years stepping far beyond what once felt comfortable—from traveling internationally for the first time and climbing mountains in China to most recently serving alongside the National Park Service in Biscayne Bay and Everglades National Park in South Florida. Through Rollins’ Immersion program, which gives students the opportunity to engage cultural, environmental, social, and political issues right at the source, Evans has discovered that the experiences that feel uncertain at first often shape us the most.

Before coming to Rollins, I had never left the United States. I had never been to a national park. I had never climbed a mountain, stepped onto a boat, or seen dolphins in the wild. Honestly, I thought college would just be mostly about classes, exams, and papers. I didn’t expect some of my most transformational learning to happen outside the classroom.

That changed my first year when I traveled internationally for the first time on a Rollins field study to China. We spent two weeks traveling in Shandong Province before visiting Beijing, learning about the culture and experiencing it firsthand. One day, we climbed a mountain with thousands of steep steps. I remember looking up, seeing how far I still had to go, and thinking, There’s no way I can do this. But there was no turning back. So I kept going. When I finally reached the top, I told myself, If I can do this, I can truly do anything.

That mindset has really stayed with me.

Almost exactly a year later, I found myself facing a very different challenge during a January Immersion to Biscayne Bay and Everglades National Park. I was excited to serve and explore a new environment, but I was also nervous. After the friend I’d planned to go with couldn’t go, I stepped into the Immersion on my own, knowing I’d have to push myself socially as well as physically. I’m not an outdoorsy person, and I was genuinely afraid of the wildlife. I was convinced an alligator might eat me.

Instead, what I found was teamwork, purpose, and lessons I’ll never forget. Even when things felt unfamiliar or intimidating, it didn’t feel overwhelming. I felt supported every step of the way, from the staff mentors in the Center for Leadership & Community Engagement to my fellow students to the nightly reflections that helped us process the day together in a safe, judgment-free environment. That structure made it easier to take risks, connect with others, and grow more comfortable with trying something new.

In Biscayne Bay, we traveled by boat to an island to clean up trash, like glass bottles and plastic, that had been accumulating for about a year. It was my first time on a boat—and my first time seeing wild dolphins up close. As we sped across the water, dolphins swam up beside us, one swimming so close it felt unreal. Standing at the front of the boat, feeling the wind and watching the water, I remember thinking how lucky I was to be there, especially as a first-generation college student.

In the Everglades, the work was tougher. We trimmed trees to make park trails safer and more accessible, dealing with bugs, heat, and unfamiliar terrain. At first, the challenge felt big, but we worked together as a team, broke it down, relied on each other, and quickly saw the impact we were making. By the time we left, the shoreline was clean and the park trails were trim. Seeing that transformation was incredibly rewarding.

Serving alongside park rangers also gave me a new appreciation for the work they do. They work long hours and have a deep commitment to protecting these spaces that are so vital to our environment. It made the service feel meaningful in a way I hadn’t experienced before. I left with a deeper appreciation for conservation, teamwork, and the impact of giving back.

Looking back, this Immersion didn’t just push me out of my comfort zone—it expanded it. I came back with new friendships, new experiences, greater confidence, and a stronger belief in myself. Now, when something feels intimidating—whether it’s a demanding class or a new internship challenge—I remind myself that I’ve done hard things.

If I could tell my past self anything, it would be this: The bugs aren’t that bad, we kept a safe distance from the alligators, and it’s completely worth it to try something new. The service that you're able to do for others and for important causes is so much more impactful and valuable than staying where it feels comfortable. Sometimes the most important thing you can do is say yes and see where it takes you.