Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I am currently studying American History at a university in the United Kingdom and in August I start my year abroad in Mississippi. I recently heard back from my Study Abroad Advisor about where I was going and I have been sent to my third choice in Oxford, MS. I am looking forward to the year abroad and I am so happy I have been given a spot at a university in the South, as I love the culture of the region, but I have heard that there is a lot of anti-foreigner resentment from the locals. Now, I was wondering if this anti-foreigner sentiment will be directed at me when I am studying in Mississippi?
I have studied the history of the South and I am aware of the racial issues in the region, though this is more of a national problem, but I was wondering if a white, heterosexual British male will also experience some hostility? I am very open-minded and would describe myself as being moderate politically, so it's not like I am some liberal, anti-American European, but I still have concerns.
Furthermore, could you help answer any of the following questions about studying in your fine country?
- How friendly will the home students be? I had an American girl in my seminar last semester and no one really talked to her, though I did make the effort. Americans are stereotypically friendly so maybe this was because the home students in the U.K. were more reserved.
- Will going to a college known for its fraternities be a disadvantage? I doubt I will join a frat, or even know if I can join a frat, when I am on my year abroad. Will this be a disadvantage to me socially?
- What are some big differences in values between England and the Deep South? It's obviously more conservative and traditional but I would say I am to (to an extent), so how big of a cultural shift is this going to be compared to an English student studying in, say, New England?
I am currently studying American History at a university in the United Kingdom and in August I start my year abroad in Mississippi. I recently heard back from my Study Abroad Advisor about where I was going and I have been sent to my third choice in Oxford, MS. I am looking forward to the year abroad and I am so happy I have been given a spot at a university in the South, as I love the culture of the region, but I have heard that there is a lot of anti-foreigner resentment from the locals. Now, I was wondering if this anti-foreigner sentiment will be directed at me when I am studying in Mississippi?
I have studied the history of the South and I am aware of the racial issues in the region, though this is more of a national problem, but I was wondering if a white, heterosexual British male will also experience some hostility? I am very open-minded and would describe myself as being moderate politically, so it's not like I am some liberal, anti-American European, but I still have concerns.
Furthermore, could you help answer any of the following questions about studying in your fine country?
- How friendly will the home students be? I had an American girl in my seminar last semester and no one really talked to her, though I did make the effort. Americans are stereotypically friendly so maybe this was because the home students in the U.K. were more reserved.
- Will going to a college known for its fraternities be a disadvantage? I doubt I will join a frat, or even know if I can join a frat, when I am on my year abroad. Will this be a disadvantage to me socially?
- What are some big differences in values between England and the Deep South? It's obviously more conservative and traditional but I would say I am to (to an extent), so how big of a cultural shift is this going to be compared to an English student studying in, say, New England?
Thanks in advance,
George
You'll be fine. I went to grad school at Ole Miss, and I can assure you that you will not be the only foreigner there. There's quite a large number of foreign students at Ole Miss, particularly students there studying at its Southern Studies center. I never went to William Faulkner's house without encountering an international visitor.
Oxford is like an oasis in Mississippi. While much of the rest of Mississippi is mired in poverty, you'll see a lot of signs of wealth in Oxford: expensive cars, posh restaurants, beautiful gardens and homes, etc.
You'll find that Ole Miss is a school that still cherishes its traditions. It will be quite a bit different than if you were to go to a university in New England. Ole Miss students are, by and large, very conservative and very Christian and are not ashamed of it. And no, you do not need to join a frat to be "accepted" at Ole Miss, particularly as an international student. There are plenty of non-Greek organizations on campus you can join in order to meet other people.
Enjoy your stay! Oxford is a special place. I grew up in China and France (I'm American) and was very much at home at Ole Miss.
---
its - possession
it's - contraction of it is
your - possession
you're - contraction of you are
their - possession
they're - contraction of they are
there - referring to a place
loose - opposite of tight
lose - opposite of win
who's - contraction of who is
whose - possession
alot - NOT A WORD
I haven't any idea how old this is because I googled 'English food MS' and found this but I'm English from Chelmsford and I married an American woman from MS and we now live in Madison which is a posh suburb by Jackson the capital city. You will be fine, if you were from Africa or Mexico you might not get a warm welcome but Americans (women especially) love the English. You will have more female attention than you know what to do with. Some things to bear in mind though: do not treat people like they need to be studied of reformed or something. There are racial issues and you won't fix them so I wouldn't try and be an activist if I were you. People here love Jesus and if you don't you will be the odd one out because a lot of socialisation goes around church even amongst the young. You don't need to join a frat and you will love it but just don't try to be an activist and go against the grain and if your politics are left wing I would keep them to myself. I want to live here for the rest of my life it is much better than the Islamic hovel that England has become.
I am currently studying American History at a university in the United Kingdom and in August I start my year abroad in Mississippi. I recently heard back from my Study Abroad Advisor about where I was going and I have been sent to my third choice in Oxford, MS. I am looking forward to the year abroad and I am so happy I have been given a spot at a university in the South, as I love the culture of the region, but I have heard that there is a lot of anti-foreigner resentment from the locals. Now, I was wondering if this anti-foreigner sentiment will be directed at me when I am studying in Mississippi?
I have studied the history of the South and I am aware of the racial issues in the region, though this is more of a national problem, but I was wondering if a white, heterosexual British male will also experience some hostility? I am very open-minded and would describe myself as being moderate politically, so it's not like I am some liberal, anti-American European, but I still have concerns.
Furthermore, could you help answer any of the following questions about studying in your fine country?
- How friendly will the home students be? I had an American girl in my seminar last semester and no one really talked to her, though I did make the effort. Americans are stereotypically friendly so maybe this was because the home students in the U.K. were more reserved.
- Will going to a college known for its fraternities be a disadvantage? I doubt I will join a frat, or even know if I can join a frat, when I am on my year abroad. Will this be a disadvantage to me socially?
- What are some big differences in values between England and the Deep South? It's obviously more conservative and traditional but I would say I am to (to an extent), so how big of a cultural shift is this going to be compared to an English student studying in, say, New England?
Thanks in advance,
George
Hi George,
I don't live in the south, although I have visited Houston Texas and Louisiana.
It was "Englishman" that caught my eye since I'm married to one who recently became an American citizen.
Sounds to me like you'll be going on a grand adventure! The history, the natural beauty and the FOOD! Yum! etc. etc...
Don't be nervous though... you'll be living in a college town and there will be students from many places. Just be friendly and use common sense as you would any place, (ah hem, London) knowing where the dodgy places are, avoiding people with chips on their shoulders, stay away from doing drugs etc.
The climate will be quite a change for sure! Summers are hot and muggy for instance. If it weren't for my asthma, I'd even consider living in the south.
As far as the people, we encountered many friendly people not just in the tourist areas of New Orleans, (you HAVE to visit!!!) but we spent a few days in Cajun country as well, and it was very easy to strike up conversations with the locals. In one restaurant someone overheard us asking about crawfish and they offered us some from their "bucket".
We also had a neighbor from Alabama that would always show up at our door with food like gumbo, fried tomatoes... "Here's y'all go, I made a big batch, thought ya might try it".
The point is, I do understand about English reserve. Where my husband and I live now, (Orange County, Ca.) It's not unusual for people to smile at each other and nod when passing by on a walk. I remember in London in a ladies room I commented on some woman's pretty bag and she looked at me like she'd seen and ghost and quickly scooted away. lol!!
Living in a California county that's relatively more conservative than LA or San Francisco, there are many religious people here including Evangelicals and Mormans. There are plenty of other folks here as well, but those are the ones who have "proselytized" to us on occasion over the years. I'm not religious myself, but I have no problem with it. At best, they are only following their religion and trying to spread the word out of love, at worst, they can be a little annoying if they don't go on their merry way the first time after I politely say thank you, but I'm not really interested in joining their church. Besides, as neighbors as they are usually good citizens.
This might be different for you as well, because in England it's rare for people to start talking about religion or evangelize.
BTW, it might be interesting for you to visit a church or two. I have gone to religious services with my variety of friends on occasion throughout my life, and some of them are quite fun.
Also BTW, my best friend is Jewish and when my husband and I went to her house for Hanukkah, it was my husband's first experience with anything Jewish and she was the the first Jewish person he'd ever met (that he knew about)
Sorry this is so long, but truly have a wonderful time and be open to new experiences and be fearless! Lucky you!
I live in the South, tho not the deep South. From what you wrote it sounds like you respect others, and you don't come across as patronizing. They will love you, especially the women!
I haven't any idea how old this is because I googled 'English food MS' and found this but I'm English from Chelmsford and I married an American woman from MS and we now live in Madison which is a posh suburb by Jackson the capital city. You will be fine, if you were from Africa or Mexico you might not get a warm welcome but Americans (women especially) love the English. You will have more female attention than you know what to do with. Some things to bear in mind though: do not treat people like they need to be studied of reformed or something. There are racial issues and you won't fix them so I wouldn't try and be an activist if I were you. People here love Jesus and if you don't you will be the odd one out because a lot of socialisation goes around church even amongst the young. You don't need to join a frat and you will love it but just don't try to be an activist and go against the grain and if your politics are left wing I would keep them to myself. I want to live here for the rest of my life it is much better than the Islamic hovel that England has become.
-Matt
I dont agree with wanting to be here but I think your post is well thought out and accurate.
You will do well socially around the University. I was born and raised in MS, and my first exposure to fureners was at Mississippi State. An extremely intelligent black Jamacian (he completely upended my attitude toward people with darker skin), a unbelievably athletic blonde chick from Denmark (who would literally try to break opponents' legs on the soccer pitch), and several others were in my dorm.
Your exotic accent will open doors you never knew existed.
I doubt you will be able to join a fraternity with only one year, and even if you could you probably won't want to. I wouldn't want to spend a year as a grunt pledge just to leave after obtaining membership.
Incidentally, the funniest accent I've ever heard came from a British salesmen who'd been living in Georgia for 10 years. He still had his Manchester accent, but was using Southern language. I honestly cannot describe the way in which he said "ya'll" (abbreviation of "you all").
Most of the "anti immigrant" ignorance is regarding the illegal Mexican dark-skinned kind. Also, more recently and just as regrettably, any dark-skinned Muslim will likely experience hostility.
Oxford is gorgeous; you will love it. I don't know about sentiment towards foreigners. Personally I've never seen anything like that.
I would tend to agree with some of the other comments that if someone is politically on the far left and makes a big display of it, they probably won't fit in as well (although as a university with 20,000 people there will be people of every stripe). That said, Margaret Thatcher is beloved in Mississippi and much of America. I'm always amazed to hear negative remarks about Thatcher by British people, knowing how much she is beloved to this day in America.
You may be aware that Ole Miss has been chosen the most beautiful school in America by national magazines, a rating that was based on both the beauty of the campus and town, as well as the beauty of the students.
You'll be better than fine. Don't join a frat. Although they may be proud to be self proclaimed Christians, they'll all be doing the wild thing on Friday and Saturday night (and the 5 other nights of the week).
Confidence is key in Mississippi. In other words, quit worrying.
I've met a lot of Brits, Micks, and Scots down here. The only problem anyone generally has is when everybody's drunk and it's a lot harder to understand what you're saying, so there's a lot of repeating.
As long as you're not the holier-than-thou, cocky type, you'll be alright. If anything, your accent will be a good conversation starter.
I'm a white southern boy, my youngest brother is gay, my best friend is a gothic black chick, and I've got plenty of friends all in between, and I've had no real problems hanging out in public, at seedy dive bars, and so on. I find that people tend to be more racist in the northern states. A lot of what you've heard about racism in the south is simply history - not much different than assuming that all Germans in this day and age are Nazis.
The friendliness you encounter is going to be random, just like anywhere. If you "come proper," people will respect you. That is, be confident, but polite. You'll run into an ******* or two, but the south is still known and famous for our hospitality.
Frat? If you're interested, ask around when you get there. I personally found the whole idea to be a waste of time. If I need weed, it's never hard to find. If I want to drink, I'll go to bar. If I need friends... I'll go to the bar more often. The parties and events just seem like they'd be too distracting to anyone wanting to focus on their studies.
The south is conservative - POLITICALLY. You've heard of Mardi Gras, yeah? Hell, any time of the year, it's odd that I go more than 2 or 3 weeks without seeing a pair of **** at the bar. The older folks may be more conservative, but not so much with the current generation. Especially those attending college. The south is very traditional in that manners are very important (though, every country has its own forms of manners). The values are generally the same. But you won't run into many uptight, conservative folks that you need to tiptoe around.
If you know how to shoot darts, ask where a good place to shoot darts is. If you might want to learn about American football, ask someone when's a good time to see a game - mention you want to "figure it out." If you shoot pool (billiards) - forget that snooker crap and learn some 9-ball or definitely some straight-8. All of that stuff is pretty social.
Really, the only other thing I can think of is that you'll probably meet a noticeable amount of closed-minded religious fundamentalists, but they won't do anything other than look down on you. Same goes for the political right-wingers and conservatives. If you don't feel like getting into hot debates, just avoid the subjects - unless you know the person really well.
Other than the American accents, vastly superior (taste) yet inferior (health) food, and a largely different twist on tea, you will probably not even experience more than a twinge of culture shock.
Oh - on the tea thing... tea time is not a normal thing in the U.S. - though tea is big in the south, we prefer it sweetened and over ice.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
