Malorie Lewis '21 on Travel and "A Global Perspective"

By Malorie Lewis

Traveling abroad is one of the most significant experiences that I have had in my entire lifetime. Journeying to Jordan in 2013, during my military service, was the reason behind my decision to pursue my undergraduate degrees in international studies and Arabic. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend a study abroad program during my time at the University of Oklahoma due to the pandemic and other barriers. I have, however, traveled to nine different countries and would highly recommend to anyone considering a study abroad experience to do it. Why? There are many reasons to consider, including the opportunity for personal growth, professional development (it looks really good on a resume!), and cultural exchange.

Thanks to the University of Oklahoma’s amazing international community, I made friends with many people who opened their homes, family, kitchens, and culture to me. In December 2020, I was given an amazing opportunity to visit Egypt. I stayed there for a month with several friends whose families took me in and gave me a firsthand experience in daily Egyptian life, as well as some of the tourist experiences. I had to see the pyramids, of course. And the food was definitely one of the best parts of this trip. I tried so many new dishes and learned to cook some as well. I was able to practice my Egyptian Arabic with people who didn’t use English often — if at all — and in that single month, my comprehension skills skyrocketed. Learning a foreign language is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences. Understanding the culture behind the language is so important to the language-learning process and helps immensely in understanding the language on a deeper level.

Since graduating in the fall of 2021, I have applied for many jobs, and one thing that really sticks out to employers is experience traveling and living abroad. Many employers look for those who have spent time abroad because it shows that they have the ability to adapt to new environments and a global perspective. Having experience working with other cultures also looks great to an employer. We live in a world where globalization has taken hold, and as such, study abroad programs can give you a leg up in the job hunt — and they can really change your life. Opening yourself up to new cultures, languages, and experiences will help you grow as a person. Travel really does make you a globally minded individual, which in my opinion is very important in this day and age. For me, the best part of traveling was the amazing memories created that will last a lifetime.

Malorie Lewis graduated in fall 2021 with majors in international studies and Arabic. Before attending the University of Oklahoma, she had a military career in the Middle East. Malorie was recently accepted to the graduate program in Middle Eastern studies at the University of Chicago.