Founded in 1976 as Southern Miss’ first study abroad offering, the University of Southern Mississippi’s British Studies Program celebrated its 50th anniversary this year with light refreshments, raffles and live music by the Mississippi Tornados.
The British Studies Programoffers nine to twelve different courses in various disciplines. Students can take one course and earn credit hours through lectures taught by British scholars, artists, business leaders and government. Students can earn up to six credit hours through the British Studies Program. Through the program, students do not learn inside a classroom, but through field visits and excursions.
The program began with USM leading several other universities in a collaboration that sent both students and professors from all over the United States to King’s College in London.The program was initially dedicated to experiential learning and expert British lecturers. Now, the study abroad program hosts students in several other places around the world, like Japan, Italy and France.
“It was a really good experience for me,” Luis Carvajal, a hospitality and tourism major who participated in the program, said. “I enjoyed sightseeing, going to the sky gardens and seeing the historic monuments.”
This academic year, British Studies will be held in winter intersession and the summer semester. The winter intersession will be a three credit writing course and will be held in London from Jan. 2 to Jan. 17. Students can get credit in History of Higher Education, Libraries and Archives, or Luckyday Leadership.
Students can take either a three credit course or a six credit course for the summer semester. The six credit courses will be in Hidden History, Library & Information Science, and Psychology. the three credit courses will be in British Interiors & Housing, English Literature, International Business, and Political Science. The semester is from June 25 to July 12 for the three credit courses, and from June 25 to July 24 for the six credit courses.
“The classroom becomes London; you’re not sitting in four walls,” Jessica Bunales, the assistant director of the Office of Study Abroad, said. “You’re out exploring, seeing historical sites, monuments, and getting to meet professionals in the field”
The British Studies Program is accepting applications for the summer semester until Feb. 15, 2026.