Worldly and Wise

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Kara Adams feeds a hungry kangaroo during her summer trip to Australia.

id you ever think that The University of Mississippi could be your ticket to hundreds of destinations around the world? The Ole Miss classroom stretches from Shanghai to Ireland, Paris to Hong Kong, and Chile to South Africa. Hands-on research, service and leadership projects and classroom experiences in international locations are preparing Ole Miss students for careers in public policy, business, medicine, law and so much more in the ever-increasing, global marketplace. Multicultural awareness and understanding continues to be a cornerstone of the educational experience at Ole Miss through Study Abroad, International Programs and the Croft Institute for International Studies.

The world comes to Ole Miss

Students don’t have to travel abroad to meet students from all over the world. In 2007, Ole Miss welcomed 490 new and returning international students represeting 65 countries to our campus. UM is also home to more than 200 international faculty and scholars.

Tips for new travelers

Traveling abroad for the first time can be intimidating, so our Study Abroad staff has put together some great advice for students considering their first international experience:

Chris White spent his senior year in Grenoble, France.

  • Bring a small bag inside your checked luggage. That way you have more room for souvenirs when you return from your trip. Also, take some clothes you’re not completely in love with to wear on travel days. Then wash them and donate them before you return home to make more souvenir space.
  • You cannot be too organized. Know where your passport and ID are at all times.
  • Relax and enjoy your travels. People are more important than time, so don’t schedule every minute of the day. Taking pictures of every monument and landmark isn’t worth nearly as much as intimate conversation with locals and traveling companions.
  • Pack light. You will regret taking your entire room on a study abroad program.
  • Always be open-minded. Respect and tolerate cultural differences.

UM Study Abroad adviser Vanessa Cook said it best: “Every time we step out of our comfort zone we become stronger. Stepping into a new culture can strengthen your independence while helping you see the world from a new perspective.”

Golda Sharpe enjoys the South African scenery.