OXFORD, Miss. – Alexandria Wallace of Tupelo, a junior at the University of Mississippi, is adding value to her college education this semester by studying abroad.
A broadcast journalism major, Wallace is enrolled at the University of Birmingham in Birmingham, England, through an exchange partnership facilitated by the UM Study Abroad Office.
“This is truly a remarkable experience,” she said. “I feel I have changed my outlook on viewing the world now that I have seen a small part of it. This is more than I ever expected during my collegiate years. I have gained confidence and have matured this semester.”
Wallace is taking three classes for UM academic credit, including British Literature, Art History and a film class. The classes meet once a week in two-hour sessions, and the final exam – a 3,000 word essay – is the only graded assignment.
“The classes are small, around 20-to -30 people at most, so you get on a personal level with each teacher and with the exchange students who are from all across the world,” she said. “I have met people from many different countries. Everyone has been so nice. They love Americans.”
A highlight of her trip so far has been attending a reception for Louis B. Susman , the U.S. ambassador to the U.K. One of eight guests to meet with Susman, Wallace said it was “an exciting chance to visit with him in such an intimate setting.”
She also has enjoyed traveling around the U.K., including visits to Wales, Scotland and Ireland. During spring break, she backpacked through Spain, southern France, Italy and Greece.
“I have learned much more in the time I have been in England than I would sitting in a classroom studying about the country,” she said.
Slated to graduate from Ole Miss in May 2011, she would like to work for Fox News or a magazine in New York City.
A graduate of Tupelo High School, Wallace is the daughter of Rick and Gabrielle Cooper of Tupelo.
Partnerships with international universities such as this one with Birmingham allow UM students to study in other countries for the same cost of tuition as studying on the Oxford campus.
For more information on Study Abroad programs at UM, go to http://www.outreach.olemiss.