Chinese Language, International Studies Major Studies Abroad to Become a ‘Global Citizen’

OXFORD, Miss. – Matthew Archer of Houston, a junior at the University of Mississippi, is well on his way to accomplishing two of his education goals: becoming proficient in the Mandarin Chinese language and preparing himself to compete as a global professional.

UM junior Matthew Archer (right) of Houston poses with his roommate at the China Normal University in Shanghai. Archer is studying abroad this semester to help prepare him for a career in the international arena. Courtesy photo.

A member of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, the Chinese Language Flagship Program and the Croft Institute for International Studies, Archer is pursuing a double major in international studies and Mandarin Chinese. On his third study abroad, he is spending this semester at East China Normal University in Shanghai, China. His study at Qingdao University in the summers of 2008 and ’09 was funded almost entirely by the Chinese Language Flagship Program, and the SMBHC is providing an extra $2,500 study abroad scholarship to assist him this fall.

In Shanghai, he is focusing on improving his proficiency in the language as he studies Chinese business and history. The program combines classroom studies and extracurricular culture lessons, as well as excursions to Xi’an and Dunhuang.

“I’ve already lived in China for about four months with Ole Miss Study Abroad, and the most important thing I’ve learned is the existence of a ‘global citizen,'” Archer said. “That’s really the most important thing the programs provide – the chance to expand our opportunities and understanding not of American culture or Chinese culture or French culture but of our global culture.”

Archer also expects his study will enhance his knowledge of environmentalism, another of his main interests.

“China has a lot of problems when it comes to climate change and environmental protection,” he said. “Living and studying here will help me shape my future and find a way to make a difference, while being pragmatic and effective.”

Archer expects to complete his undergraduate program in 2011, with plans to attend graduate school. For his future career, he says he’d “like to work in the private sector and help businesses cope with environmental regulations, preferably an American or European company that does a lot of business in China.”

A 2007 graduate of Houston High School, Archer is the son of Walter and Patricia Archer of Houston.

For more information, visit http://www.croft.olemiss.edu/home/, http://www.outreach.olemiss.edu/study?abroad/, http://www.honors.olemiss.edu/ and http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/modern?languages/NFLP.html.