Spotlight Alumni

Amanda K. Whitaker

Amanda is an alumni of the Study Abroad in Panama program, and graduated from Southern Miss with a masters degree in Logistics, Trade, and Transportation in the summer of 2011. Currently living in Mobile, AL, Amanda works at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, MS as a Weight Analyst. Thanks to online course offerings Amanda was able to earn her degree from Southern Miss while continuing to work full time.

Having experienced a fantastic opportunity through the program made available in Panama, Amanda says this about studying abroad in general: I would highly recommend all students to try to incorporate a study abroad experience while earning their degree.  Study abroad courses give students an opportunity to see their curriculum "come to life", and to gain a new perspective.  For new students, the study abroad program gives them an advantage with the opportunity to experience firsthand the concepts that they will be studying throughout their degree.  Meanwhile, students who are finishing their degree, are able to make connections between the textbook information they have studied for their degree and how the information is used in the field.