WKU News

It’s one thing to witness the beauty of another place through film, but it’s another to actually be there. From Jane Austen’s house to the sets of Netflix’s Bridgerton show, Amarah Pryor-Wells, a film and advertising major with an American sign language studies minor from Madison, Alabama, is doing just that. 

Studying abroad was not at the top of her mind when applying to colleges, but WKU’s commitment to connecting students to study abroad opportunities helped Pryor-Wells imagine the possibilities of learning abroad. “If I hadn't gone here, I don't think I would have had the same experience, especially for some things like applying for like Gilman…I don't think I would have had the mindset of actually doing the work and believing in myself,” she said while reflecting on her experience at WKU. 

Being a member of the Mahurin Honors College (MHC) also helped Pryor-Wells explore opportunities to make the most of her undergraduate experience. She got connected with MHC peers through involvement in the Living Learning Community and social events while also taking colloquia classes about topics like Mammoth Cave and Taylor Swift.

The encouragement of MHC community and staff helped Pryor-Wells view studying abroad as an opportunity for growth instead of just a trip. She explained, “There's a lot of people in the Honors College [that] really care about making sure you get to take those opportunities, because they know how important it is. Not just, ‘oh, let's make sure these kids get to go,’ but they actually know it's going to be important to you. And they want to actually help you get there.”

To make studying abroad a reality, Pryor-Wells looked to the Gilman Scholarship. During her freshman year, Pryor-Wells applied for the Gilman Scholarship unsure of where it might lead. 

Unfortunately, her first application was rejected, but this didn’t stop her from using the experience as a step toward studying abroad. Working with Dr. Melinda Grimsley at the Office of Scholar Development, Pryor-Wells was able to use her writing from her first application experience and transform it into new ways to tell her story. Instead of seeing the first rejection as a stopping point, Pryor-Wells used it to continue forward, claiming, “It was much easier this time, because l knew what to expect.”

A self-proclaimed fan of shows like Derry Girls and Bridgerton, Pryor-Wells wanted to study abroad in the UK. Settling on a program in England and Scotland, her program is focused on English literature and film adaptations, with the added benefit of studying the subject close to historic homes and castles.

With new experiences and being able to see the world she reads about, Pryor-Wells anticipates learning even more about screenwriting. “I think by going on this program, actually analyzing English literature and then getting that experience [of] being in the place where these stories take place, and then getting to focus on things that have been adapted, I think will help me be in a better mindset to be a screenwriter,” she said. She also hopes honing her craft abroad will give her the foundation and courage to continue to learn and even live outside of the United States. 

The confidence she gained throughout the Gilman application process will go with her as she continues to her next steps. Having the courage to continue though this process is the main advice she wishes to leave with current and future scholars interested in studying abroad and the Gilman Scholarship. She explained, “Believe [in] yourself, take the leap of faith…If you tell yourself, ‘yeah, I can do it’ then you're gonna believe it and it's gonna happen, and then look where you're gonna be.”