UA Little Rock Student Skylar Boone Gains Global Perspective Through Summer Spent in Thailand
Skylar Boone, senior graphic design major, spent her summer studying abroad in Thailand, where she says the experience gave her confidence, independence, and a new outlook that will help her grow personally and professionally.
Boone, a native of Little Rock, studied abroad in Chiang Mai, Thailand, from June 29 to Aug. 10. While enrolled at Chiang Mai University, she took courses in psychology, sociology, and Thai language.
“At first I considered going somewhere in Europe to study abroad, since that’s where most people go,” Boone said. “But I wanted to do something a little different. My mom’s friend suggested Thailand, and after hearing about her experiences there, I thought it sounded amazing. It’s affordable, beautiful, and the people are really nice. I had never been to Southeast Asia, so I decided to step out of my comfort zone.”
While in Thailand, Boone immersed herself in the local culture. She practiced speaking Thai at restaurants and street markets, learned traditional greetings, and saw how Buddhism influences daily life in Thai culture.
“In Thailand, showing respect is very important,” Boone said. “When you greet people, you wai (a traditional Thai greeting), which means you put your hands together and bow. You bow lower depending on someone’s age or if they’re a monk. It was something new to learn, but I liked it once I got the hang of it. I also learned the saying ‘Mia pen rai,’ which means everything is impermanent or everything is okay. People in Thailand didn’t stress out or get mad easily. They were at peace, and that was really inspiring.”
Some of Boone’s favorite memories included making new friends, exploring nature, and trying local food. She described the beaches of Krabi as “so picturesque that it almost didn’t feel real, like something out of a postcard.” She also enjoyed a hike to a hill tribe village, where she sampled freshly grown coffee, and a kayaking trip through mangrove trees.
“The food was amazing and so affordable, and I miss it so much,” Boone said. “But what stood out the most to me was the people I met. I got along well with the other American students and made Thai friends at school. It was such a rewarding part of the trip to meet new people and learn about their lives.”
Boone said the experience taught her important life skills that will help in her future career in graphic design.
“I feel like it taught me a lot about independence and being out of my comfort zone,” she said. “At first, I felt totally out of my element, but I overcame that by talking to people and making friends. It’s important to do things that make you uncomfortable, because that’s how you grow. That’s the main lesson I took away.”