During her sophomore year media day, Adriana Castro poses with the flag, showing her school spirit and confidence. She describes this as one of her favorite photos from the day. (Photo courtesy of CU Sports Information)
When Adriana Castro left her hometown of Piura, Peru, at 17 years old, she moved to Campbellsville, Kentucky, to study psychology and join the Campbellsville University swim team. She wanted to chase her dream of combining her education with athletics, even though it meant leaving her family, her culture and everything familiar behind.
“I was very young when I decided to do this,” Adriana said. “I always wanted to study psychology, and I always wanted to swim in the United States.”
Her passion for psychology began in high school. She said she struggled with balancing sports and school as a teenager, and that experience shaped her decision to pursue a career where she could help others going through the same challenges.
“I knew I wanted to be someone who supported people,” she said. “That was my dream when I was 17.”
One of the most difficult adjustments for Adriana when moving to the United States in 2024 was the food. At home in Piura, she ate traditional meals prepared with fresh ingredients, often made by her grandmother. Her favorite dish is ceviche, a Peruvian meal with fish, sweet potatoes and lemon.
“My dad makes the best ceviche,” she said. “Here, it is so hard to make because the fish is not the same.”
She recalled her parents’ effort to cook ceviche with fish from Walmart.
“It was not the same,” she said, laughing. “But my friends here loved it.”
Food was only part of what she missed. Leaving her family and her home was difficult, and homesickness still lingers. She misses her dog, Romeo, a 5-year-old French bulldog who stayed in Peru with her parents.
“I miss my family every day,” she said. “I miss my dog, too. It is not easy.”
Her brother, Luis, who is pursuing his master’s degree at Campbellsville University, made the move easier. Having him nearby gave her a sense of comfort and connection when she first arrived. He helped guide her through college life, showing her where to find resources, how to manage swimming and classes, and how to balance her schedule.
Luis said his sister surprised him with how quickly she adapted and connected with others.
“I thought my sister was going to be way more shy,” Luis said. “But she actually surprised me. Her English was even better than mine when I first arrived, and she made friends really quick.”
He said watching her grow and become more independent has been one of the most rewarding parts of his time in Campbellsville. Luis admires her maturity and determination, saying she has created her own path while staying true to herself.
“The person she’s becoming makes me proud,” he said. “She’s doing amazing things and learning so much.”
Adriana said she is grateful to have him nearby and that his presence helped her adjust to college life.
“I know he’s always there for me,” she said. “He helps me whenever I need it, and that makes me feel at home.”
Adriana’s teammate, Andreu Jaen Serra, remembers meeting her during his first night in Campbellsville, completely by chance at Walmart. From the beginning, he said, she made an impression as someone kind and caring. He described her as a person who truly listens and pays attention to how others are doing.
“She’s really nice,” Serra said. “She always takes care of you and wants to know how you’re really doing. She doesn’t just ask how your day was, she wants to hear your answer.”
Serra said Adriana’s dedication and energy make her stand out on the team. Even when she is tired or homesick, she still shows up to practice and cheers for everyone. He said she brings passion to the group and motivates others with her encouragement and determination.
He also noted that she often talks about her family, her friends and her life back in Peru. Those conversations, he said, show how much she values her roots while embracing her new life in the United States.
Adriana was struck by the landscape and the community when she first arrived in Campbellsville. The green hills and small-town setting reminded her of scenes she had only seen in movies.
“I thought it was so beautiful,” she said. “It was not like my city, but I liked it.”
She also noticed differences between schools in Peru and the United States. In Peru, she said, classes were stricter and more formal. At Campbellsville, she felt students were encouraged to express themselves more.
“In Peru, it is different,” she said. “Here, I feel more free to share my opinion in class.”
Even though she is far from home, Adriana carries reminders of her family with her. She and her mother share matching tattoos that symbolize the beach, a place where they spent time together in Peru and always felt safe. Her mother’s tattoo has a sun with the waves, and hers has a moon.
“The beach was always special for us,” Adriana said. “It was where we felt safe. The tattoos remind me of that and of her.”
Whenever she feels homesick, she looks at the tattoo and remembers the connection she and her mother share, despite the distance.
Adriana said her experiences in Kentucky have shaped her personally and academically. She continues to work toward her psychology degree while balancing classes and swim practices. Her ultimate goal is to use her degree to support others who face the same struggles she once did.
“I want to help people,” she said. “That is why I chose psychology.”
Although the adjustment has not been easy, Adriana said her time in Campbellsville has given her new perspectives on life, education and herself. While she still misses her family, Romeo, and the comforts of Peru, she said she is grateful for the opportunity she has been given.
“It is not always easy, but it is worth it,” she said. “I know my family is proud of me, and that helps me keep going.”
For Adriana, the decision to leave Peru at 17 was the start of a journey filled with challenges, but also growth. Each swim practice, each class and each call home to her family reminds her why she came to Kentucky. Though she still misses the tastes of home, the comfort of her grandmother’s cooking and the company of her dog, she said she has learned to embrace both where she came from and where she is now.
“I miss my family, but I am happy here,” she said. “Campbellsville feels like another home for me.”