USM Student Embraces European Culture in Unforgettable Study Abroad Program

Tue, 04/30/2024 - 09:17am | By: Gabriela Shinskie

Lindsey Landry never dreamed she would experience European culture firsthand when signing up for the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Study Abroad program. The junior majoring in forensic science has fully immersed herself in an experience of a lifetime.

“I’ve always loved the idea of studying abroad. I’ve always wanted to study in England. When I first came to USM, one of the first things I did was look into the study abroad program,” said Landry.

Landry, a native of Baton Rouge, La., took a leap of faith as she left the United States for the first time and made her way to London in January 2024. She spent the entire spring semester at Keele University in Staffordshire, U.K. where she encountered different people from across the globe and jumped right into her classes.

Landy enrolled in four classes focused on her major, including “Investigative Crime” where she was given the opportunity to analyze crimes in the U.K. and observe the similarities and differences between the British and American systems.

“I always loved learning about how we developed our laws and where we came from. The U.K. and U.S. systems are very similar,” expressed Landry.

She loved diving into her class titled “High Culture: Drinks, Drugs, and the American Dream” where her British classmates observed American culture. Landry enjoyed chiming in with her point of view and experiences as an American. Her “Working for Justice” and “British Cultural Studies” classes were focused on politics, social classes, and geographical regions of England. Her classes brought fun pop cultural aspects to the curriculum where discussions of the royal family and the origin of pubs were often a topic of conversation.

The fun didn’t stop in the classroom. Landry took every second of her time to travel to surrounding countries and scratch off her travel bucket list with friends she’s made within the Study Abroad program. Her adventures found her in Italy, Spain, Berlin, France, and Ireland. Her mother flew from the U.S. and experienced parts of the action and traveled to Greece and Italy with Landry. She emphasized those experiences will stay with her forever.

“It was cool to go from Italy to Greece and almost go back in time. We saw where Julius Caesar was buried and experience different parts of the world,” explained Landry. “One of my favorite things so far is going to Dublin for St. Patrick’s Day. It was one of the best places to travel. It was an emotional experience to see them embrace their culture and their heritage.”

Landry’s Louisiana heritage made her feel at home in France where she encountered French street signs like those back home accompanied by French architecture. The program has been a dream come true for Landry and she encourages everyone to take advantage of the Study Abroad program before graduation.

“When are we going to have another chance to be fully immersed in other cultures? It’s been amazing getting to talk to people in Europe and see how they live their lives,” said Landry. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As scary as it may be, I’m proud of myself for doing this and getting these experiences.”

Jessica Bunales, Assistant Director in the Study Abroad Office, is a big advocate for the opportunities and experiences the program offers for students.

“Studying abroad is an amazing opportunity for our Golden Eagles to soar to new heights! Whether through a faculty-led or an exchange program, students step outside of their comfort zones and gain new perspectives while studying abroad. Many come home with a newfound sense of confidence and independence,” said Bunales. “They develop skills while abroad that employers are looking for such as creativity, resourcefulness, and flexibility. Study abroad can truly be a life-changing experience!

“It’s so nice to connect with people from all over the world. The best place to do that is getting here,” said Landry.

Learn more about USM’s Study Abroad program and dive into an experience of a lifetime.