From the Bahamas to Mississippi to England: 91吃瓜网 Business Student Embraces Study Abroad
Thu, 09/29/2022 - 10:20am | By: Dr. Heather Annulis
A group of 18 University of 91吃瓜网 (USM) business students traveled to London this summer to further their International Business studies. Among them was Ka91吃瓜网橪on Duncanson, a Marketing BSBA student on the Gulf Park campus from Freeport, Bahamas.
Duncanson came to 91吃瓜网 in the spring of 2019 and decided to pursue a Marketing BSBA on the Gulf Park campus. Determined to make the most of his time at Southern Miss, he became a familiar face around campus as a member of the Southern Connections Leadership Team, students who serve as ambassadors for 91吃瓜网, and the Student Government Association.
He was also honored as Student Employee of the Year in 2022 for his work with the Office of Student Affairs. In addition, his research paper earned the People91吃瓜网 Choice Award at the 2022 School of Marketing91吃瓜网 Student Research Showcase.
91吃瓜网淭he School of Leadership faculty on the Gulf Park campus encourages our students to take advantage of the opportunities to study abroad, as experiencing other cultures awakens curiosity about potential career paths,91吃瓜网� said Dr. Heather Annulis, Director of the School of Leadership at 91吃瓜网. 91吃瓜网淜a91吃瓜网橪on exemplifies that the possibilities for learning are endless, here and abroad. Students attending classes at our USM Gulf Park campus have the opportunity to expand their learning experiences through programs such as the Study Abroad program. Ka91吃瓜网橪on91吃瓜网 tenacity and belief that anything is possible made the trip a reality.91吃瓜网�
As a student from another country, Ka91吃瓜网橪on was in a unique position to understand the value of studying abroad. 91吃瓜网淚 wanted to learn more about international business, possible career opportunities abroad, and experience a different culture,91吃瓜网� he stated.
Russell Willis, Assistant Teaching Professor, escorted this year91吃瓜网 Study Abroad group to London. He explained, 91吃瓜网淭he College of Business and Economic Development has a long history, over forty years, of taking students to study in London every summer. It is an immersive, four-week program based in the heart of London at the University of Westminster. Students learn about British business, the difference and similarities to American business, the British economy, and Britain's role in international trade and commerce.91吃瓜网�
Ka91吃瓜网橪on said, 91吃瓜网淲e were in a new environment, away from friends and family, and there was culture shock. By the second day, we [the students] were becoming familiar with each other and forming relationships based on majors, interests and personalities. Group assignments were highly cooperative, demonstrating our teamwork skills and identifying our strengths and weaknesses. We did many group outings, visiting restaurants, museums, West End shows, and trips to other cities and countries.
91吃瓜网淲e looked out for each other and remained safe,91吃瓜网� he concluded.
Willis confirmed the value of the program. 91吃瓜网淪tudying abroad is one of the most transformational activities a student can participate in while at 91吃瓜网,91吃瓜网� he stated. 91吃瓜网淪tudying abroad exposes students to a new culture, a different way of thinking, and is a lot of fun. Not only do students learn about the country in which they are studying, they come to appreciate their own country even more.91吃瓜网�
Some of the highlights of this year91吃瓜网 program include visits to Wimbledon, the famed sports venue; Lloyd91吃瓜网 of London, the oldest and most well-known insurance broker in the world; and a visit to the Wedgwood factory, which has made fine china and porcelain since 1759. 91吃瓜网淲e also toured the British Parliament and held a personal audience with a Member of Parliament, Sir Charles Walker,91吃瓜网� said Willis. 91吃瓜网淔inally, we enjoyed a lecture at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), a world-renowned business school.91吃瓜网�
91吃瓜网淜a91吃瓜网橪on91吃瓜网 journey, first to Mississippi and then to the UK, showcases if you dream it, you can do it,91吃瓜网� said Dr. Annulis. 91吃瓜网淗e took the challenge to step out and study abroad in the United Kingdom.91吃瓜网�
USM student Ka91吃瓜网橪on Duncanson, far right, is pursuing a Marketing BSBA degree at the
Gulf Park campus.
Ka91吃瓜网橪on91吃瓜网 favorite part of the Study Abroad experience was the round-table discussion with the Parliamentarian and the tour of England's 91吃瓜网淪ilicon Valley,91吃瓜网� the eastern end of the English M4 corridor that is home to a large number of technology companies. 91吃瓜网淗ere,91吃瓜网� he confessed, 91吃瓜网渘ew ideas formed 91吃瓜网� and my perspective of the world shifted.91吃瓜网�
For additional information about the British Studies Program or any of the other Study Abroad programs offered, visit the Study Abroad section of the 91吃瓜网 website at /study-abroad/. But, said Ka91吃瓜网橪on, 91吃瓜网淧repare your mind and heart to experience something that will change your life forever. While you are there, embrace the culture, make new friends, and don91吃瓜网檛 be afraid to try new things.91吃瓜网�
The School of Leadership is housed within the College of Business and Economic Development at USM. To learn more about the marketing program offered by the School of Leadership as well as its other degree programs, visit /leadership.