![\"sederia-gray.jpg\"](\"http:\/\/ezing.me\/transfer\/wp-content\/uploads\/stories\/sederia-gray.jpg\" "\\"sederia-gray.jpg\\"")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nIn a perfect learning opportunity considering her two majors, Spanish
\nand international studies, Gray is studying at the Universidad San
\nFranciso de Quito in Cumbaya, Ecuador. While there, she is working on
\nher senior thesis project for the international studies major and as a
\nmember of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College. It is titled
\n“Political Mobilization of Afro-Ecuadorians Seeking a National
\nIdentity,” a comparison of political mobilization factors in Ecuador
\nand Brazil.\n<\/p>\n
\nA member of the Croft Institute for
\nInternational Studies, she is also fulfilling her Spanish language
\nrequirement for her major in international studies. When she returns,
\nshe will take the Oral Proficiency Interview to test her fluency in the
\nSpanish language.\n<\/p>\n
\nGray’s study abroad is made possible through a UM exchange
\npartnership with USFQ, coordinated by the UM Study Abroad Office. This
\nexchange allows her to take courses abroad and apply them to her UM
\ndegree as resident credit, and it enables her to use financial aid that
\nshe receives on campus to help defray travel expenses. She left Aug. 22
\nfor Ecuador, and she says that her experience is proving to be very
\nrewarding.\n<\/p>\n
\n“I have been able to travel to two different towns, where I have
\nobserved the diverse cultures,” she said. “I have also learned a lot
\nthrough my host family and university. Each part of Ecuador has its own
\nhistory and cultural background, and that’s what makes it so
\ninteresting and diverse.”\n<\/p>\n
\nGray said she hopes that by living and studying abroad, she will
\nbegin to understand both the similarities and differences between life
\nin the United States and in other parts of the world. Her plans include
\na trip to the nearby Galapagos Islands, which are known for their rich
\nvariety of wildlife and vegetation.\n<\/p>\n
\nAfter receiving her undergraduate degree at Ole Miss in May
\n2010, Gray plans to attend law school and concentrate in corporate law.
\nEventually, she would like to become an entrepreneur and start her own
\nbusiness.\n<\/p>\n
\nA 2006 graduate of Starkville High School, she is the daughter OXFORD, Miss. – Sederia Gray of Starkville, a senior at the University of Mississippi, is immersing herself in Ecuadorian culture this semester. Sederia Gray<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[222],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\nof Eucluck and Gwendolyn Gray. \u00a0 \u00a0 For more information, visit http:\/\/www.croft.olemiss.edu<\/a>, http:\/\/www.outreach.olemiss.