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Ryland Arnold studied abroad in New Zealand through a three-week adventure therapy course and said the experience provided him with “valuable training and insight” to prepare him for his future career.
For Ryland Arnold, once wasn’t enough.
After a life-changing experience studying abroad as an undergraduate at the University of Arkansas, Arnold packed up his bags to study abroad again as a graduate student, pursuing a master’s degree in counseling and attending an adventure therapy course in New Zealand. I did.
The three-week course introduced Arnold to adventure therapy. Adventure therapy is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on experiential education and has been shown to improve self-esteem and many other positive outcomes. And what better place to take an adventure therapy class than New Zealand?
“New Zealand has provided such a unique environment in which to develop my counseling skills and develop my professional toolkit,” said Arnold, from Fayetteville. “Graduate school can be challenging, but it’s important to stay focused on your long-term goals and embrace opportunities that remind you why you got into the field in the first place. It has reinvigorated my passion and commitment to serving the Northwest Arkansas community. ”
During the course, Arnold hiked Little Mount Peel in Geraldine, descended a forested zip line above Queenstown, and visited Tekapo, a dark sky reserve with low light pollution and great views of the night sky.
The course was taught by two faculty members from the College of Education and Health Professions: David Christian, director of the college’s Adventure Therapy Lab, and Mary Moisejczyk, professor of recreation and sport management.
“Our outdoor experience was amazing,” Arnold said. “At Tekapo, I was able to see the Milky Way clearly for the first time, and some of the group even took pictures with just their iPhones. It was very cold, but I had no choice.”But I went outside and looked up at the night sky. Please. ”
The adventure therapy course followed a three-week program for Arnold that took him to London, Dublin and Amman, Jordan, focusing on conflict resolution and comparing issues in the North Island to the ongoing conflict during his time at Arnold College. This was my second time studying abroad. Middle East in 2016.
Arnold, who had dreamed of becoming a certified counselor who uses outdoor activities to improve mental health, found her experience in New Zealand rewarding.
“This experience provided valuable training and insight into adventure therapy and activity promotion,” he said. “It has allowed me to frequently step out of my comfort zone and challenge myself to do things I never thought I could do. The resilience building I worked on on this trip is something I hope to see in my future clients.” In addition, the connections I made with my fellow students provided me with an avenue to expand my horizons and develop my counseling skills.”
For more information about study abroad opportunities at University A, please visit the Office of International Education’s website.
