New Cultures, New Friends, New Confidence

The group began their journey in Malaysia, where their first full day included a visit to Universiti Sains Malaysia, the nation’s premier research university. Over the following days, students toured Advanced Micro Devices Global Services, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Universiti Malaya, MyDIGITAL, Asia School of Business, and Ventris Energy. They also explored the cultural richness of Penang Hill and Kuala Lumpur, gaining firsthand insight into Malaysia’s history and traditions.

Six days later, the students traveled to Singapore. After settling in, they spent their first evening at the Night Safari in Singapore’s Wildlife Reserve. Their time in Singapore also included a visit to Sentosa Beach, the U.S. Embassy, and Ergon Oil—an international company headquartered in Flowood, Mississippi, that now serves more than 100 countries.

Among the participants was Rebecca Bateman, a senior General Business major on the Occupational Therapy track. This trip marked her first time in Asia. While she enjoyed the Singapore Zoo and the visit to the U.S. Embassy, her favorite experience was exploring Kuala Lumpur, where Mrs. Meng introduced the group to the city’s vibrant cultural landscape.

Reflecting on the trip, Rebecca shared

“The trip was life‑changing, and I have met some amazing people that I would consider friends for life. If anyone ever gets the opportunity to travel with Ole Miss, you should take it. You will learn about different cultures, businesses, and make life‑altering experiences that would never happen if you didn't just go for it. Yes, traveling can be scary, but what's scarier is the thought of never learning, exploring, and getting to say you did something.”

Her biggest takeaway was “to not be afraid to try new things… traveling is the adventure of a lifetime and you must make the adventure yours.”

Experiences like this highlight the transformative power of global learning. For students like Rebecca, study abroad programs not only expand academic and professional horizons. They also inspire personal growth, confidence, and a deeper understanding of the world.