Arkansas to Italy, a Senior Reflection
New alumna Isabella Sotlar at Commencement. Photo by Grant Schol.
It’s hard to believe that just four years ago I committed to the University of Arkansas – and now, I’ve graduated.
I spent much of my childhood in Northwest Arkansas, so when it came time to choose a college, I was hesitant to, in a sense, “go back home.” Though my family had since moved to Joplin, Missouri, I still felt a pull, and a slight resistance toward returning. I committed in late May, which meant I had random roommates and was behind on just about everything: class registration, orientation, all things freshmen.
When I moved into Maple Hill in August 2021, I met the girls who would become my best friends and the ones I would eventually walk across the graduation stage with.
No one tells you how scary freshman year can be. I thought I had everything figured out when I graduated high school. But arriving on campus forced me to rethink everything. I was suddenly immersed in a place full of new people, ideas, and perspectives. I started questioning what I thought I knew and began to redefine what I wanted for my future.
That, to me, is the very best part of college and especially the University of Arkansas. The campus is bursting with creativity and diversity, encouraging you to explore all the different parts of yourself. I found new interests I never expected and started learning more deeply about the world and my place in it.
I joined new clubs, took unexpected classes, and said “yes” to meeting new people. One of those classes was Elementary Italian, which unexpectedly changed the trajectory of my life. Through the Italian program, I was encouraged to study abroad in Milan which was a life-changing experience that inspired me to apply for a U.S. Fulbright Grant. Just days before graduation, I learned I had been awarded the grant. This October, I’ll be moving to Sicily as a research fellow.
The University of Arkansas also gave me the space to explore my creativity. After freshman year, I realized the pre-med path wasn’t for me. I decided to return to a long-time passion: writing. I was lucky to be mentored by the incredible faculty in Fulbright College, professors like Sidney Burris, Toni Jensen, and Sean Dempsey who encouraged me to take myself seriously as a writer and scholar.
Through the English program, I gained the confidence to share my work with others. I was honored to receive the Felix Christopher McKean Memorial Award and to see my writing published in a print magazine. Fulbright College helped foster not only my love of reading and storytelling, but also my passion for Italian language and culture.
The University of Arkansas has shaped me into a version of myself I’m deeply proud of. It taught me to be confident, to ask hard questions, and to believe in my dreams – even the big ones. I’ve learned that the arts and sciences don’t just reflect our culture; they shape it. And moving forward, I hope to continue promoting that truth through research, writing, and community engagement.
As I prepare to head to Sicily, I take with me everything this university has given me: friendships that feel like family, faculty who believe in me, and a newfound certainty that home isn’t just where you come from – sometimes, it’s where you grow.