In our post-Cookie Shine daze, I sat down with sophomore Mikayla Fuerlan to enjoy the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree in the living room of the California Epsilon house. When researching where she would apply to college, Mikayla had a few things on her list: weather, top 10 for International Business, and not too close to her hometown Chicago. Check, check and check – San Diego State University had it all. To top it off, she found a home at Pi Beta Phi because she was impressed by the diverse interests of the women in the chapter.

Mikayla is intrigued by learning about new cultures, seeing new things, and experiencing how different parts of the world can learn from one another; this is how she fell in love with traveling. In the last few years, she has been to many countries all over the world: Italy, France, Spain, London, South Africa, Bolivia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Canada.

In each country, Mikayla was engulfed in the culture allowed her to grow in new ways. She is fascinated by the way people show love and greet each other in different parts of the world. On her visit to South Africa, she was most proud of building relationships with the locals and adapting to their culture. Although it took some time for them  to warm up and trust her, building those personal connections allowed Mikayla to make an impact in that area. She helped in communities with elders affected by HIV or AIDS and participated in field work construction.

Next year, Mikayla will have the opportunity to study abroad as part of her program, and we’re crossing our fingers that it will be in Barcelona. I know she will be missed, but her sisters will be waiting to hear about more of her amazing adventures abroad.