MC’s Study Abroad program helps students expand their cultural horizons

MC students joined MC faculty members Billy Morehead and Glenn Antizzo on a Study Abroad trip to Guam during Spring Break 2026.

Most students enter college with a hunger for knowledge and a desire to understand the world around them. Mississippi College’s Study Abroad programs provide an opportunity for students to expand their experiential knowledge by traveling the globe and immersing themselves in other cultures.

Richard Ladner, director of the International Institute at MC, said students who return from a trip report that Study Abroad is one of the most enriching things they experience at MC.

“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.

“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.”

MC’s Study Abroad programs are supported through the University’s individual academic departments, and administered by the McMillan Center for Education Abroad (the “Mac Center”), a unit of the International Institute that is dedicated to developing global competency in students by providing opportunities abroad for study, internships and service.

“The main gates on campus bear the motto, ‘Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve,’” Ladner said. “That’s what Study Abroad is all about – going forth to gain a deeper understanding of those you have never met in an effort to serve them better.”

According to Amy Williamson, associate professor and chair of MC’s Department of English and World Languages, Study Abroad is an ideal way for students to learn another language.

“It’s a consistent exposure to the language, which is the best way to learn it,” Williamson said. “Because they are immersed in the culture of another country, whenever our students hang out with their friends, go shopping, get something to eat, or go to the movies, they’re continuously interacting in the language. Our students who travel to France and Spain are also living with host families, so it continues once they return home every day.

“That level of language immersion is something that we can’t reproduce in the classroom.”

Language study isn’t the only benefit to participating in Study Abroad. MC students pursuing any major of study can gain independence and a fresh perspective on the world through Study Abroad.

“Most college students have more flexibility in their schedules than they may have in later years,” he said. “If the idea of higher education is to learn and grow, then a Study Abroad experience fits well into that ethos.”

Williamson said the positive effects students experience from their Study Abroad trips are almost immediate.

“They’ve had a chance to know a different part of the world, and as a result, their confidence is higher,” she said. “The confidence spills into all areas of their lives. Some students form lasting bonds with people they meet on their trip, and they go back and visit whenever possible.”

MC’s Study Abroad offerings are coordinated by MC faculty and Study Abroad staff who are experienced international travelers. Each trip is composed of or led by MC faculty members who help students get the most out of their academic sojourn.

“At MC, we are committed to supporting students throughout the entire process – from preparation and advising to helping them reflect on and apply what they’ve learned after they return,” said Lingshan Song, instructor of Chinese and director of the Writing Center at MC. “Study Abroad is not just an academic experience – it is a life-changing journey that shapes students’ confidence, adaptability and global awareness.”

The Mac Center is offering three Study Abroad opportunities this summer to Spain, Taiwan and France. Additional learning opportunities in South Korea, Guam and Panama are also available at other times throughout the year.

MC in Spain

MC partners with the top language school in Salamanca, Spain, to provide an immersive program of six Spanish credit hours, with excursions to Madrid, Cordoba, Segovia and Avila.

The summer program runs from the end of May through the end of June. A range of courses is available, from Elementary Spanish and Conversation to Advanced Grammar, Art and History of Spain. No language experience is required.

“It is a great way to see another culture and experience life change,” said Beth Stapleton, MC professor of modern languages and former director of the Mac Center. “Students live with Spanish host families, and many choose to travel in other parts of Europe after the Spanish classes have concluded.”

MC in Taiwan

Chung Yuan Christian University in Chungli, Taiwan, offers MC students an opportunity to earn credits in Mandarin Chinese, engineering, and business or to engage in a rewarding internship teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) to Taiwanese students. The Study Abroad opportunity takes place in May.

“Students must navigate daily life in Mandarin, which accelerates both their linguistic growth and their confidence,” Song said. “Beyond the classroom, they engage with local communities, experience rich cultural traditions and gain a broader global perspective that is invaluable in today’s interconnected world.”

MC in France

MC students can dive into the French language and culture at the Institut de Touraine in Tours, France, just an hour’s train ride west of Paris. Students will live with carefully selected host families after spending a few days in Paris with MC faculty. Students can earn up to six hours of French credit and one PE credit.

MC in South Korea

MC students can study the Korean language and culture in an exchange program with Sookmyung Women’s University in Seoul. They can choose from a range of English-taught courses, including Korean language, International Studies, Korean Studies, Business and Economics, and more. During summer school, weekdays are dedicated to academics, while weekends offer cultural excursions to destinations throughout the country.

MC in Guam

Located in the Western Pacific Ocean, Guam is a strategic part of the U.S. national defense. Guamanians speak English, but their indigenous language, CHamoru, is considered endangered, while the culture is experiencing a resurgence. Students stay in Tumon, located in the heart of Guam, and take classes in subjects such as Territorial Government, National Defense, International Trade, International Public Relations and Crisis Management, the Renaissance of the CHamoru Language and Culture, and the Island Economy and Sustainability.

MC in Panama

MC Business and Communication partners with an international nonprofit organization that works alongside Panamanian business partners to provide consulting services to low-income entrepreneurs. MC students can earn academic credit, gain real-world experience, and make a tangible and sustainable difference in this unique country with a rich African heritage brimming with Spanish influences.

MC Law Study Abroad

Traveling abroad is not limited to undergraduate and graduate students on the Clinton campus. MC School of Law students can participate in tailored programs with opportunities for travel to Mexico, France, Cuba, South Korea and Germany. For information about Study Abroad opportunities through MC Law, visit law.mc.edu/academics/study-abroad.

Ladner said the Mac Center can also connect MC students with third-party providers who can arrange a tailored experience to a host of international destinations. His advice to MC students who may be interested in studying abroad but are on the fence about taking the plunge? Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

“Study Abroad could help round out what is an amazing college experience at Mississippi College,” he said. “We have such a rich campus environment at MC that sometimes, students don’t want to leave. 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.”

For more information about Study Abroad at MC, visit mc.edu/academics/abroad/