Mississippi College announced on Apr. 16 that its Study Abroad program is offering students a range of international experiences this summer, including trips to Spain, Taiwan, and France. Additional learning opportunities are available in South Korea, Guam, and Panama throughout the year.
The program aims to broaden students’ cultural understanding and provide immersive educational experiences outside the classroom. Richard Ladner, director of the International Institute at Mississippi College (MC), said many participants describe Study Abroad as one of their most impactful college experiences. “The vast majority say it is the most impactful thing that they have done in college,” Ladner said. “Many of them had never traveled outside of the Southeast, so it expanded their worldview and allowed them to see the world in a new way.”
Ladner emphasized that exposure to new cultures cannot be matched by traditional education alone. “No educational experience can compare to getting away from your everyday routine and being immersed in a new culture to understand just how diverse our world really is.” The programs are supported through MC’s academic departments and administered by the McMillan Center for Education Abroad (the ‘Mac Center’), which provides study, internship, and service opportunities abroad.
Amy Williamson, associate professor and chair of MC’s Department of English and World Languages, highlighted language immersion as a key benefit: “It’s a consistent exposure to the language, which is the best way to learn it,” Williamson said. She noted that living with host families extends this immersion beyond formal classes.
MC offers faculty-led trips where students can earn academic credit while engaging deeply with local communities. For example, in Spain students partner with a top language school in Salamanca; in Taiwan they can take courses or teach English; while France offers intensive French studies at Institut de Touraine after an introduction period in Paris.
Lingshan Song, instructor of Chinese and director of MC’s Writing Center, described Study Abroad as transformative: “Study Abroad is not just an academic experience – it is a life-changing journey that shapes students’ confidence, adaptability and global awareness.”
Programs also extend beyond undergraduate offerings—law students may participate in tailored programs traveling to countries such as Mexico or Germany. The Mac Center connects interested participants with third-party providers for customized international experiences.
Ladner encouraged hesitant students not to miss out: “But if they’ll take just one semester to study abroad, the campus will still be here – and they’ll be a better version of themselves – when they come back.”