The two-hour wait did not help his confidence.

Brandon Krogel, a senior majoring in political science, tried to calm his nerves as he stepped onto the plane. "You're the one who wanted an adventure," he reminded himself. The plane continued to climb - 5,000 feet, 9,000 feet - until it reached a breathtaking 13,000 feet above the green, mountainous scenery below. Krogel struggled to focus his mind above the noise of the propeller and his heartbeat, not sure which was the loudest. He remembered his skydiving instructor had briefly told him something about arching his back and opening his arms.

"You ready?" asked his instructor. Krogel felt the blood drain from his face as he tried to shake his head "no" but was unable to move. "No one ever is," laughed the instructor and then with a swift thrust, Krogel felt him throw both of them out of the plane.

Two weeks earlier, with a tent, a camping bag, peanut butter, chewy bars, pepperoni slices and no plans, 24-year-old Krogel headed off alone to New Zealand for a month-long adventure.

"I'd always wanted to have an adventure, so I just finally did it," Krogel said. "I didn't plan anything at all. I walked off the plane not knowing where I was going or what I was going to do."

His month in New Zealand was packed with every activity imaginable: skydiving, bunji-jumping, white water rafting, kayaking, ice climbing, hiking, caving, and tubing.

This trip ended up being much more than a physical adventure. It was a time of self-discovery and cultural education, Krogel said. Even his friends noticed changes.

"After New Zealand, Brandon seems a lot more certain about the next steps in his life," said Jeremy Hannon, 24, Krogel's roommate. "It was a really self-reflective experience for him."

Chris Sullivan, a senior at BYU majoring in business and another of Krogel's roommates, said he thinks this type of experience would be good for everyone.

"I think that everyone, at some point in their life, seeks this liberation to see the world, to find out what's out there," Sullivan said. "It gives them a chance to experience life outside of their element and really discover who they are."

Krogel said he agrees he learned a lot about himself through this experience because it opened up his mind to accepting different ideas and changes in his life.

"I realized that I am someone who, if I put my mind to something, I can do it," Krogel said. "Before I left, there were times when I wanted to do something or follow an idea but I didn't do it because the people around me thought it was a bad idea. But after being by myself on this trip, I realized that my true friends will support me in whatever I do. I shouldn't be influenced by what other's think. I just need to choose what's important to me."

Krogel also said this experience built his testimony of the gospel.

"I saw the Lord's hand guiding me and keeping me safe the entire time," Krogel said. "It showed me that the Lord really does care about me and things that are important to me."

Krogel said all people have the need to spend some time alone thinking and meditating on their lives and decide if they are actually on the path they want to be on.

"When you do want to spend time in self discovery," Krogel said, "I recommend getting rid of all distractions. Turn your phone off and go somewhere where you can be alone. It's also a good idea to take a journal so you can record your thoughts and set goals."



Copyright Brigham Young University 9 Jun 2008