Frye participated in a book-writing project called Kids’ Books Bolivia started by the program’s director several years ago. The project’s purpose is to create affordable, bilingual (or trilingual) children’s books that celebrate the rich and diverse cultures of Bolivia.

“I wrote my book about a real girl I met in Bolivia named Wilma,” says Frye. “Wilma is a young indigenous woman attending a university in Cochabamba. She is unique because she has maintained her traditional style of dress in an environment where most young people wear Western-style clothing. By celebrating Wilma’s life, my book is meant to serve as an inspiration for young girls to be comfortable being who they are. The book also documents a point in time in Bolivian history when women commonly wore traditional, indigenous clothing. Maybe one day there will be many more indigenous women in the universities all over Bolivia, and when people read this book, it will tell them of a time when it was very unusual to be an indigenous woman in the university.”

Frye’s book, titled WILMA, is written in three languages, English, Spanish, and Quechua (which is Wilma’s native language).

“I realized the importance of social responsibility,” says Laura about her time in Bolivia. “My study abroad experience was the first step in a lifetime of learning, growth, and community engagement. I utilized this transformative experience to enhance the opportunities for my host community. I miss the people there incredibly and I hope to return to Bolivia someday.”

After graduating, Laura plans to pursue a Ph.D. in anthropology and become a professor at a liberal arts college similar to Lake Forest.

Related Links:

• Laura Frye World Learning
• Kids Books Bolivia
• Read Laura's essay about her time abroad