One Semester, a Lifetime of Impact: Lay White Reflects on Her Buenos Aires Experience

From studying abroad in Buenos Aires to building a career in information systems and cybersecurity, Malaysha “Lay” White has embraced the power of stepping outside her comfort zone. A Spring 2016 alumna of the IES Abroad Buenos Aires program, Lay received a scholarship that helped make her study abroad experience possible. Today, she gives back as a donor, helping future students access the same life-changing opportunity. In this interview, Lay reflects on how studying abroad shaped her career, inspired lifelong friendships, and continues to influence her journey today.

IES Abroad: Please share a bit about your career trajectory since studying abroad in Buenos Aires.

Lay White (LW): Since studying abroad in Buenos Aires, my career has grown in ways I never imagined. I’ve held a variety of roles, including technology consultant, business analyst, systems administrator, cybersecurity analyst, and project engineer. Today, I’m an Information Systems Security Officer. Learning a new language taught me that I could tackle something unfamiliar and build my skills over time. That mindset has stayed with me throughout my career: with curiosity, persistence, and a willingness to learn, there’s so much you can accomplish.

IES Abroad: Your career has taken you from business analysis into information systems and cybersecurity, and you are now working on an overseas deployment. Did living abroad help prepare you for working in international or unfamiliar environments?

LW: Absolutely. Living in another country and navigating a different culture and language pushes you outside your comfort zone. You learn to adapt, communicate in new ways, and embrace unfamiliar situations. I’m approaching my 10-year anniversary with Lockheed Martin, and that adaptability has helped me move between roles and grow within the company. Studying abroad gave me an early foundation for navigating change, which continues to serve me in my current overseas deployment.

IES Abroad: What aspects of your experience in Buenos Aires helped build the confidence or adaptability needed to pursue such a specialized career?

LW: One of my favorite quotes is, “An expert in anything was once a beginner.” That captures my experience in Buenos Aires perfectly. When I arrived in Argentina, I struggled to put together a sentence in Spanish. By the time I left, I was cracking jokes—and even dreaming—in the language. That experience taught me to be comfortable being a beginner. Every career transition has required me to learn something new, and I’ve carried that confidence with me. I don’t have to know everything on day one; I have to be willing to ask questions, put in the work, and keep growing.

IES Abroad: Are there lessons, relationships, or experiences from your time abroad that have stayed with you over the years?

LW: Definitely the relationships! One of my good friends, Brynn, is from Denver, and we met while studying abroad in Argentina. She told me I should visit her someday, and that invitation stayed with me. When I interviewed for an internship at Lockheed Martin and was asked to rank my preferred locations, I put Denver first—partly because of Brynn! I eventually moved there after college and stayed for more than six years. Since then, I’ve attended her wedding, we’ve traveled together, and we’ve remained good friends. I still joke that I moved to Denver because of her.

IES Abroad: What is one of your favorite memories of studying abroad?

LW: I have to go with shoe shopping! I loved discovering the shoe stores in Buenos Aires and came home with quite a collection. I actually bought an extra suitcase just to bring all my shoes back. That’s still one of my favorite—and funniest—memories.

IES Abroad: When you compare the person who boarded a plane for Buenos Aires with the person you are today, what do you think changed most about you?

LW: I’ve become much more patient with myself. When I boarded that plane, I expected to come home fluent in Spanish. When that didn’t happen, I was initially disappointed in myself. Over time, I realized that learning a language is a journey, and I had made more progress than I was giving myself credit for. That experience taught me to appreciate growth as it happens, enjoy the process, and recognize that meaningful progress takes time.

IES Abroad: For a student who is on the fence about studying abroad, what advice would you give them?

LW: I would say go for it! My only regret is that I didn’t stay longer—I wish I had gone for a full year. Studying abroad gave me friendships, confidence, and experiences that continue to shape my life. It also sparked a desire to keep exploring. Next year, I’m planning to take a yearlong sabbatical to return to South America, travel, and volunteer. I’m still pursuing that connection to the language and culture, and I’m excited to keep learning.

IES Abroad: What inspires you to stay connected to IES Abroad?

LW: IES Abroad invested in me at a time when that support made a real difference. I received a scholarship that helped make studying abroad possible, and I’m still benefiting from that experience today. Staying connected is a way to give back. Whether through donations or sharing my experience, I want to help future students access the same opportunity. It would mean so much to know I helped someone else have an experience that could change their life.

Check out all of our Alumni Spotlights to see real examples of how study abroad changed the lives and careers of our past students. 

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