Second Study Abroad Adventure Fuels Arnold's Passion for Mental Health

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Ryland Arnold studied abroad via a three-week adventure therapy course in New Zealand, an experience which he said provided "valuable training and insight" to prepare him for his future career.

Once wasn't enough for Ryland Arnold.

After a life-changing experience studying abroad as an undergraduate student at the University of Arkansas, Arnold packed his bags again for another study abroad excursion as a graduate student for an adventure therapy course in New Zealand through his master's program in counseling.

The three-week course introduced Arnold to adventure therapy, a form of psychotherapy that focuses on experiential education and has proven to improve self-esteem and a host of other positive outcomes. And what better place to have a class on adventure therapy than New Zealand?

"New Zealand provided such a unique setting to learn expand my counseling skills and develop my professional toolkit," said Arnold, a native of Fayetteville. "Graduate school can be challenging, and it's important to fully embrace opportunities that keep you focused on your long-term goals and remind you why you got into a field in the first place. This experience revitalized my passion and commitment to providing mental health services to the Northwest Arkansas community."

During the course, Arnold hiked Little Mount Peel in Geraldine, went down a forested zipline above Queenstown, and visited Tekapo, a Dark Sky Reserve with limited light pollution allowing for greater visibility of the night sky.

The course was led by two faculty members from the College of Education and Health Professions, David Christian, director of the college's Adventure Therapy Lab, and Merry Moiseichik, a professor of recreation and sport management.

"Our outdoor experiences were incredible," Arnold said. "At Tekapo, we were able to clearly see the Milky Way for the first time, so much so that some of the group were able to take a photo of it just with their iPhones. Despite how cold it was, I couldn't help but stay outside and stare up into the night sky."

The adventure therapy course marked Arnold's second study abroad endeavor while at the U of A after traveling to London, Dublin, and Amman, Jordan, for a three-week program focusing on conflict resolution and comparing troubles in Northern Island to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East in 2016.

With aspirations of becoming a licensed counselor who utilizes outdoor activities to improve mental health, Arnold found the experience in New Zealand challenging but rewarding.

"This experience provided valuable training and insight into adventure therapy and activity facilitations," he said. "It helped me to step out of my comfort zone often, challenging what I thought I was capable of. The resilience building I engaged in on this trip modeled the growth I would hope for in my future clients. Additionally, the connections I made with my fellow students widened my perspective and provided me avenues to develop my counseling skills."

For more information on study abroad opportunities at the U of A, visit the Office of Study Abroad's website.