Q&A with Elizabeth Brittain
Why did you choose to attend the University of Mississippi?
Seeing as a lot of my family didn’t get to attend college, it was crucial to me that I attend a university that wanted me to go there and was willing to offer financial aid. Ole Miss made it possible for me to attend college at little to no cost, and through CROFT, it offered me an amazing community that immediately.
Seeing as a lot of my family didn’t get to attend college, it was crucial to me that I attend a university that wanted me to go there and was willing to offer financial aid. Ole Miss made it possible for me to attend college at little to no cost, and through CROFT, it offered me an amazing community that immediately.
What would you tell a high school student about your major? What is most important for them to know if they are interested in pursuing that field of study?
International Studies is similar to political science in a lot of ways. We both try to understand the wider world around us through history and the governments that influence it, but the international studies program tries to foster what they call “global citizenship.” They essentially want us to be well enough educated to discuss global issues. My major is very broad, but that also makes it very versatile. We are also required to study abroad for at least one semester in a country that speaks the language we chose to study in our freshman year. It’s great for people who want to learn how to speak another language fluently and even integrate into that language's culture.
International Studies is similar to political science in a lot of ways. We both try to understand the wider world around us through history and the governments that influence it, but the international studies program tries to foster what they call “global citizenship.” They essentially want us to be well enough educated to discuss global issues. My major is very broad, but that also makes it very versatile. We are also required to study abroad for at least one semester in a country that speaks the language we chose to study in our freshman year. It’s great for people who want to learn how to speak another language fluently and even integrate into that language's culture.
Why is your department a special place?
International studies, or more specifically Croft, offers a unique environment that fosters the intellectual development of its students. Since the graduating classes are very small, it allows you to form close relationships with your peers through seeing them constantly. They also host a large variety of seminars and events that expose you to opportunities for internships and postgraduate study. The professors are from a wide range of backgrounds and are incredibly passionate about their fields, which makes learning under them so much fun.
International studies, or more specifically Croft, offers a unique environment that fosters the intellectual development of its students. Since the graduating classes are very small, it allows you to form close relationships with your peers through seeing them constantly. They also host a large variety of seminars and events that expose you to opportunities for internships and postgraduate study. The professors are from a wide range of backgrounds and are incredibly passionate about their fields, which makes learning under them so much fun.
What professor or class has had the most impact on you?
The class that has had the most impact on me is Olga Ponomareva's Russian 299 class. I can say with certainty that this class is the most difficult I have taken, primarily because it's my Russian language class and it requires a lot of out-of-class study to understand. This class has taught me the importance of dedication and continuing to show up even when you keep making mistakes. I still have a lot to learn before I am fluent in the language, but so long as I continue working at it, I know that I will eventually reach my goals.
The class that has had the most impact on me is Olga Ponomareva's Russian 299 class. I can say with certainty that this class is the most difficult I have taken, primarily because it's my Russian language class and it requires a lot of out-of-class study to understand. This class has taught me the importance of dedication and continuing to show up even when you keep making mistakes. I still have a lot to learn before I am fluent in the language, but so long as I continue working at it, I know that I will eventually reach my goals.
What do you hope to do after graduation? What are your career goals/plans?
After completing my undergraduate degree, I plan to continue with my education up to the Ph.D. level. The long-term goal is to become a professor of history at a university.
After completing my undergraduate degree, I plan to continue with my education up to the Ph.D. level. The long-term goal is to become a professor of history at a university.
What is one thing you wish you knew as an incoming freshman that you’d tell your past self (about the general college experience)?
In my first semester, I spent too much time spreading myself thin and trying to mirror the actions of the people around me who seemed successful. So, I would tell her that truthfully, quantity doesn't equal quality, and it is better to invest your resources in things that develop a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you. The only person who can figure out where you flourish the most is yourself. Once I started spending time with people whom I admired and devoting time to the courses I loved, my productivity and my overall experience improved.
In my first semester, I spent too much time spreading myself thin and trying to mirror the actions of the people around me who seemed successful. So, I would tell her that truthfully, quantity doesn't equal quality, and it is better to invest your resources in things that develop a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you. The only person who can figure out where you flourish the most is yourself. Once I started spending time with people whom I admired and devoting time to the courses I loved, my productivity and my overall experience improved.
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