University of Mississippi junior Mellie McGehee of Belden stands in front of the Chateau d'Angers in Angers, France. She toured the castle-like structure that dates to the ninth century and houses the Apocalypse Tapestry, produced in the late 1300s and thought to be the oldest medieval French tapestry to have survived. McGehee spent a month this summer in Angers studying French at the Catholic University of the West.
OXFORD, Miss. – Mellie McGehee of Belden, a junior at the University of Mississippi, returned to campus this fall after spending the month of July in Angers, France, where she was enrolled at the Université Catholique de l’Ouest or Catholic University of the West.
On the way to Angers, she spent a few days in Paris, and before returning home, she traveled to Italy for a brief stay.
At the university in Angers, she earned six hours of credit toward her UM degree in French and international studies, as well as immersed herself in the country’s culture. With students enrolled there from around the world, she also learned a lot about other cultures.
“We not only befriended locals but also other students from all over the U.S., and even the world – Scotland, Portugal, Korea, Spain, Japan, etc.,” she said. “Because there were so many foreign students, communicating was very hard with all of the different accents and levels. French was the common language spoken between us, so it was such a good learning experience.”
Food was plentiful in France although expensive, wine was cheaper than bottled water and walking was the norm, she said.
“We walked absolutely everywhere, as did everyone else. I now understand how the French stay so healthy, even with the surplus of carbs, cheese and wine.”
A member of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, McGehee received an Honors College fellowship to help pay for her study abroad.
“The remainder of the cost was from a college fund that my grandparents started for me when I was young,” she said. “Without the help of the Honors College and my grandparents, the trip would not have been possible.”
She is also a member of the Croft Institute for International Studies, which along with the Honors College were reasons she enrolled at UM.
“I grew up very close to Ole Miss. My brother came to Ole Miss and convinced me to apply for both the Honors College and Croft Institute,” she said. “I was accepted to other schools, but Ole Miss offered great scholarships and it really felt like home.
“The Honors College has provided me with so many opportunities; I take advantage of the free trips that they offer and the scholarships they provide. The Croft Institute has introduced me to the world and the beauty of diversity. Studying abroad makes you more accepting of others and opens your mind.”
A graduate of Tupelo High School, McGehee is the daughter of Richard and Debbie McGehee.
For information about study abroad opportunities at UM, visit http://www.outreach.olemiss.edu/study_abroad/. To learn more about the Croft Institute and Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, visit http://www.croft.olemiss.edu/home/ and http://www.honors.olemiss.edu/.