INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
PEER ADVISORS
FALL 2009

Hi! I’m Tori Frasher and I’m from Columbus, MS. I’m a sophomore History major.  I’m a Leadership scholar, involved in the Southern Miss Activities Council (SMAC) and was a member of GEWW Crew 2009. This summer I went with the British Studies Program to London, England, where I took the World War II class.  This experience was completely AMAZING and has changed my life significantly!

Megan Hixson. “My Study Abroad experience will stay with me long after other college memories have faded. It opened my eyes to a world that I could not see before. It was a life experience that even time can’t take away.” I was born and raised in Hattiesburg and have been at USM since 2006 after graduating from Hattiesburg High. I am an International Studies major and Human Rights minor. I hope to one day hold a position with UNHCR. I went abroad for the first time with USM’s Study Abroad program to London and took History: World War II and couldn’t have asked for a better experience. I fully intend to return to London with Study Abroad next summer.

My name is Lara Horn.  I was born and raised in Pascagoula, MS.  I am twenty-two years old.  I am a senior speech communication major and plan to minor in Spanish.  Growing up I was fortunate to travel around the United States with my family, but was never given the opportunity to travel abroad until I applied for Southern Miss’ British Studies program.  This summer I traveled with many golden eagles and other students from across the States to London.  My experience “across the pond” was by far one of the greatest times of my life.  Since I have returned I have became an advocate for all abroad programs! I think meeting new people and experiencing their culture is an important part of one’s education.  It changes your worldview for the better.  I plan to travel abroad again this summer through Southern’s abroad program.  I have not decided where I want to go, but I want to experience and see as much as I can while I am still young!

Rachel Marlow is excited to be a part of the Office of International Programs and hopes to help you with your future study abroad experience. Rachel is currently a senior at USM. She is an International Business major with a minor in French. She had her first study abroad experience with the Abbey Program in 2007, and recently participated in a year exchange for her junior year in Paris, France, at the ESCE.  Rachel believes studying-abroad is a college essential and an experience that will never be forgotten.

Kellis McSparrin is a senior Dance Performance and Choreography Major and a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority, Chi Tau Epsilon Dance Fraternity, The Honors College, Golden Key Honor Society and the Luckyday Program.  A 4.0 student and a native of Clinton, Mississippi, Kellis always knew she wanted to travel and see the world, and her dream came true when she studied abroad in London, England during the summer of 2009.  The class she took was Elizabethan Literature, and through the activities of the class, she got the amazing opportunity to learn about one of the greatest British monarchs of all time in the very city where Elizabeth I ruled.  Not only did Kellis get to enjoy the excitement of metropolitan London, but she also traveled to Paris, Scotland, Rome and Venice during the mini-breaks offered in the program curriculum.  In her own words, Kellis explains that “Studying abroad was one of the best decisions I ever made and I encourage anyone and everyone to take advantage of the amazing International Studies Program at USM.  London changed me as a person and showed me how incredible and diverse the world we live in is.  I went to London to learn more about the world, and I came back learning the most about myself and the kind of person I want to be!” 

Caitlin Masson is a senior Mass Communications and Journalism major at the University of Southern Mississippi. She is an alumna of both The British Studies program in Summer 2007 and The Abbey Program in Spring 2009. Following The Abbey, she was hired as a Marketing/Advertisement intern at the European-American Center for International Education in Pontlevoy, France during Summer 2009. After graduation she hopes to one day travel the world over, documenting her experiences in as many photographs and journals as humanly possible. By working as a Peer Advisor for International Programs, Caitlin is excited at the chance to help other students experience the life-changing adventure that is studying abroad.

Heather Murray is a junior at Southern Miss.  During Spring 2009 she studied at Keele University in Stoke-on-Trent, England, where she was unfortunate enough to eat a steak and kidney pie, but fortunate enough to spend five of the most amazing months of her life getting to know a new country.  She loves video games, Simon & Garfunkel, and all things nerdy.

Adewunmi "Wunmi" Oke is a junior Theatre major with a minor in English. This past summer, she participated in the 2009 British Studies Program in London, England. When she was given an opportunity to become an International Studies Peer Advisor, she grasped it. "I first heard about study abroad programs my freshman year at Southern Miss," says Oke. "I am so glad I did," she continues, "because I learned that the world is so much bigger than you think. I want my experience to influence others to study abroad."

Jennie Scrivner. I am a Junior History major from Collinsville, Ms. I plan to attend law school after graduating from USM. I am a member of Tri Delta sorority, Golden Key International Honor Society, the Legacy, and a philanthropist for Saint Jude Children's Research hospital. I studied abroad in 2009 in London with the British Studies Program. This has been the best experience of my life, so far.  It broadened my horizons and allowed me to grow as an individual. It was incredible to be able to stand on the land that World War II took place, such as Normandy beach and Pont du Hoc. Everyone should study abroad at least once.

Emily Simmons heard about the Abbey Program about a month into her freshman year at Southern Miss. A small town girl from just south of Hattiesburg, Emily had always known that she wanted to travel the world, so she seized the opportunity that the Abbey had to offer her and packed her bags for France. After an amazing three months in Europe exploring England, Italy, Greece and France, Emily returned to USM a lot cooler than when she left it. She is currently day-dreaming about the Abbey, trying to settle on a major and plotting her next adventure.

Nicholas Stiles is a junior pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in French. Nicholas has travelled to many parts of the world and plans to work post graduation internationally. While studying in France, Nicholas became interested in the French language and plans to use his interest and knowledge of the language to work post graduation in the Peace Corps doing Environmental Aid in French-Speaking Africa.

I,Mary Vaughn, participated in the British Studies Program in summer of 2008. The trip was about a month. I have never learned so much in my life. I took Elizabethan literature. Instead of just reading books, our class of eight visited many historical sites and museums. Some of the places we visited as class are the Tower of London, Holyrood Palace, Hampton Court Palace, the Globe theater, and the British Library. Very seldom did we ever even sit in a desk! Learning also took place outside of the classroom. Coming from a small town in Mississippi, there are sometimes limited exposure of different cultures. In London, there are so many different cultures that blend all together to make this awesome culture. I never had a boring day. There are plenty of musicals to attend, pubs to visit, interesting museums, and cool places to eat. Also, the shopping was INCREDIBLE. Did I mention that the largest department store in the world is in London. There are plenty of opportunities for students to explore their own interests.