Mongolia was not what Abby Graupner had in mind when she joined the Peace Corps after graduating from the University of Arkansas in 2013.

Though Graupner indicated on her Peace Corps application she was willing to go anywhere, she had always imagined herself in hot, humid environments. Instead, she received a 27-month assignment in Mongolia, a country with winters that can average 40 degrees below zero and last eight months.

"I wanted the universe to direct me where to go," Graupner said. "Even though I would have never chosen Mongolia, it was a really good experience to explore a country I never even thought about."

The U of A alumna was placed in Jargalant, Mongolia, as a community development officer and English teacher. She worked to develop women empowerment projects in the community and partnered with local teachers to implement interactive teaching methodologies.

She said working with more than 500 students was not easy, but she found her reward in the support she received from the community and the growth she observed in many of her students.

"I know not all 500 students learned English, but I saw an incredible increase in skill from several of the students," she said. "Beyond English, there are girls there now who are pursuing real careers because they were exposed to women who are pursuing their dreams. I may not have had an impact on every student there, but if I made a difference in even a few people's lives, that's a pretty cool experience to have."

Graupner, who returned from Mongolia in November, is already on another Peace Corps assignment. She began a 10-month position as a response volunteer in Guatemala earlier this month. While there, she will be working with a team of Guatemalan agricultural extension agents to teach local farmers about sustainable farming practices and food security initiatives.

Prior to joining the Peace Corps, the native of West Fork, Arkansas, participated in multiple study abroad programs as a U of A student. She said her experiences as a student abroad and her experiences as a volunteer in the Peace Corps have helped mold her into the person she is today. She hopes her experiences will inspire other U of A students to push their boundaries and explore education abroad opportunities.

"I literally grew up on a cow field, and now I've been to 26 countries," she said. "I encourage students to not let what they think are their restrictions hold them back. We all have the same amount of potential, but it's the amount of work we put in and the paths we pursue that allow us to reach it."

Graupner, who earned bachelor's degrees in international business economics and Spanish, plans to pursue graduate education after concluding her experience with the Peace Corps.

Students interested in learning more about Peace Corps opportunities can visit with a Peace Corps representative at the U of A Career Fair from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, in the Arkansas Union Verizon Ballroom.

Students interested in learning more about study abroad opportunities should contact the Office of Study Abroad and International Exchange.