Photo by Robert Jordan
OXFORD, Miss. – Even on winter break, students just can’t stay away from Ole Miss.
Enrollment for the University of Mississippi’s two-week Wintersession term is at an all-time high with more than 3,300 students. The term, which includes 10 days of class followed by a final exam, allows students to earn three hours of credit, keeping many on track to finish their college education in four years.
The growth is likely due to the financial aid available, said Donald Howie, director of summer, winter and online sessions.
“Spring awards can be applied to Wintersession, so there’s more financial aid out there,” Howie said. “The out-of-state rate for Wintersession tuition is also less expensive than summer, so it’s easier for students from places like Georgia or Texas to take these courses.”
More than 100 different courses are offered to students during Wintersession, and some of those classes even involve a little travel.
The Study USA program during Wintersession gets students out of the classroom and into a different environment. The classes are usually held for a few days in Oxford and then about a week in another city. This winter, some students are studying hospitality management in Las Vegas while others are learning media ethics in New Orleans and environmental ethics in Washington, D.C.
“It’s important to take these types of classes so students can see their field in person while immersing themselves in another culture,” said Kristina Phillips, program coordinator. “It’s a good way for students to gain exposure and make professional contacts.”
Students gain lasting impressions from spending a week in a different location, said Marvin King, associate professor of political science and African-American studies who led a Study USA class in Washington.
“I find that students remember as much from a week in D.C. as they might from an entire long semester,” King said. “The lasting impression of visiting and seeing the people and offices we read so much about really leaves a strong impression with the students.”
The program also benefits from strong word-of-mouth from former students, Phillips said.
For more iinformation about Study USA or Wintersession, visit the UM website.