Ryland Arnold studied abroad via a three-week adventure therapy course in New Zealand, an experience he says gave him “valuable training and knowledge” to prepare him for his future career .
Once wasn't enough for Ryland Arnold.
After a life-changing experience studying abroad as an undergraduate at the University of Arkansas, Arnold once again packed his bags for another study abroad excursion in as a graduate student for an adventure therapy course in New Zealand as part of his Masters in Counseling program.
The three-week course introduced Arnold to adventure therapy, a form of psychotherapy that focuses on experiential education and has been shown to improve self-esteem and a host of other positive outcomes. And what better place than New Zealand to take an adventure therapy course?
“New Zealand provided a unique setting for me to learn how to develop my counseling skills and expand my professional toolbox,” said Arnold, a Fayetteville native. “Graduate education can be tough, and it's important to take full advantage of 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 has 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 zip line above Queenstown and visited Tekapo, a dark sky reserve with limited light pollution allowing greater visibility of the night sky.
The course was led by two College of Education and Health Professions faculty members, David Christian, director of the college's Adventure Therapy Lab, and Merry Moiseichik, professor of recreation and sport management .
“Our outdoor experiences have been incredible,” Arnold said. “At Tekapo, we were able to see the Milky Way clearly for the first time, so much so that some members of the group were able to take a photo of it with just their iPhone. Despite the cold, I was unable to prevent it but stay outside and look at the night sky.”
The adventure therapy course marked Arnold's second attempt at studying abroad while at the University of Alberta, after traveling to London, Dublin and Amman, Jordan, for a three-week program focused on conflict resolution and comparing the North Island unrest to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East in 2016.
With ambitions to become a licensed counselor who uses 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 facilitation,” he said. “It helped me step outside of my comfort zone often, questioning what I thought I was capable of. The resilience building I engaged in during this journey modeled the growth I hoped for In addition, the connections I made with my peers broadened my perspective and provided me with ways to develop my consulting skills.”
For more information about study abroad opportunities at the U of A, visit the Office of Study Abroad website.
