Ciao! Piacere di conoscerti! My name is MyKayla Bowser, and I’m a
sophomore here at the University of Arkansas. I’m also an English major with a
concentration in Creative Writing. Born and raised in West Memphis,
Arkansas, moving from an underrepresented town to the city of Fayetteville was
exhilarating, and I love my new home. I’ve been able to experience and witness
numerous eye-opening opportunities – one being studying abroad. I studied
abroad in the summer of 2016 with the Faculty-Led Program titled The Renaissance in Rome. 
By
attending this program, I was able to travel to Italy and live in Rome for a
month. It would be impossible for me to sum up my experience abroad
because it is an experience unlike any other. All I can say is, “It
was a journey leaving me craving more.” Studying abroad is obviously
a life-changing endeavor, but it also takes courage and the strength to say
goodbye to a newfound love. Before my departure, I was told that I was
lucky to be able to travel outside the country, especially as a
first-generation, African American young woman. Until I landed in
Rome, I hadn’t yet understood the weight of the words I was being told. I
didn’t know how honored I would feel to be genuinely welcomed into another
country and treated with such respect and hospitality. It’s quite easy to state
that it Italy has been the biggest impact on my life personally and
academically.
Traveling abroad allows a person to break down barriers within themselves and venture out into the world as an independent being. Traveling is my greatest desire in life, and though I am a minority and a woman, those two labels do not hinder me from exploring the unknown. Since my trip to Italy, I have added studying abroad again this upcoming school year as a goal! Most importantly, traveling abroad has impacted how I value my education. Before my trip, I didn’t understand how privileged I was to be able to attend a university that was so eager to help me foster my academics in new and exciting ways.
Since returning to
campus this Fall of 2016, I was given the chance to work as a Peer Adviser in
the Office of Study Abroad. It is my goal to aid fellow students in gaining a
new perspective about their education and way of living abroad. I recommend
study abroad programs that pertain to student’s majors or minors and most
importantly, interests. I
want to persuade students to think outside the box and not limit themselves to
only learning where they care comfortable. I advise students to task risks and apply for programs that may not be completely compatible to their major but will still provide an unforgettable adventure. At the Office of Study Abroad, we are eager to help find the program of your dreams. Feel free to stop by the office at any time and ask questions. We love to talk! I look forward to seeing you soon. Arriverderci!
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Come meet Mykala and the other peer advisors, along with office of study abroad staff, faculty leaders, program providers and other study abroad alumni at the Study Abroad Fair on Tuesday, September 20, from 10am-2pm in the Intl Connections Lounge of the Arkansas Union!
Come meet Mykala and the other peer advisors, along with office of study abroad staff, faculty leaders, program providers and other study abroad alumni at the Study Abroad Fair on Tuesday, September 20, from 10am-2pm in the Intl Connections Lounge of the Arkansas Union!
