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Spring Break Trip 2015 Transports Mississippians to South Africa


Photo by Robby Followell

Mississippi travelers will see fabulous cities like Johannesburg, take pictures of elephants during a safari experience and visit the Apartheid Museum in Soweto.

It’s all part of Mississippi College’s 2015 Spring Break trip to South Africa March 5-14.

MC professors Beth Stapleton, Susan Lassiter and Rob Ward are making the overseas journey. The trip is open to faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends of the Christian university.

There are slots for 40 travelers and reports show 19 people signed up for the South African trip as of late August.

Stapleton, who chairs the MC Department of Modern Languages, believes the adventure will be both thrilling and rewarding as an unforgettable educational experience.

“South Africa is an amazing destination,” Stapleton said. “We will visit some of the most well-known and popular sites in the country (Johannesburg, Cape Town and the Karongwe Private Game Preserve).”

Travelers will discuss the impact of the late South African President Nelson Mandela and other topics.

On board for the entire trip, the Mississippi College group will be assisted by a local tour guide who grew up in South Africa. “He is loads of fun and knows all the best local spots, too!,” Stapleton said.

The annual MC Spring Break tour dates back to 1990 when the initiative was led by Dr. Ed McMillan of Clinton, a retired university administrator and historian. Thanks to his efforts and the work of others, the Spring Break trips have brought MC people to many beautiful spots around the world. The newest nine-day journey will be no different.

“Lifelong friendships have been formed over the years and close ties form when we travel together,” Stapleton said. “The group is always very cohesive and we gladly welcome new participants each year.”

The Mississippi College graduate extends the invitation to members of the community in the Clinton area.

The cost of the trip is $4,375 per person. A deposit of $575 is non-refundable. Checks should be made out to the MC Office of Continuing Education.

The trip to South Africa offers academic credit. But a non-credit option is available, too. Participants seeking credit must attend classes from January 20 through February 24 on Tuesday evenings at 6 p.m. on the Clinton campus.

For more information, contact Beth Stapleton at 601-925-7664 or stapleto@mc.edu. Information is also available on the MC website at springbreak.mc.edu.