![\"kristenvise\"](\"http:\/\/ezing.me\/transfer\/wp-content\/uploads\/kristenvise.jpg\")
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\u201cStudying at the university and living in Belfast, a big city with an interesting history, provided the opportunity for me to grow as a person, a designer and a member of society,\u201d she said. \u201cI took full advantage of the opportunity presented, and, for me personally, growth in these areas is what college should be about.\u201d<\/p>\n
Through an arrangement between UM\u2019s Study Abroad Office and Ulster, Vise earned 15 hours of academic credit toward her UM degree. Her courses included corporate and advertising design, research and writing for design, and design for communication. A highlight of her trip was getting to know her fellow students.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe students studying Design for Visual Communications were friendly, hard-working and excited about design,\u201d she said. \u201cThe class of around 50 students study together for three years in their design concentration and get to know each other quite well.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy classes there were much different from my classes at Ole Miss, because they meet only once a week and are intensive on that day. They were challenging, but I learned a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vise also traveled extensively during the semester, then stayed the summer to see more of Europe before returning home in early August.<\/p>\n
\u201cI traveled to Madrid for New Year\u2019s Eve, Brussels to visit an Ole Miss roommate, Marseille to visit an Ole Miss friend, and to Paris and Barcelona alone,\u201d she said. She also visited Germany, Austria, Croatia, Italy and the Czech Republic.<\/p>\n
Vise is a member of UM\u2019s Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, which along with \u201cthe good price and the town of Oxford\u201d swayed her to attend Ole Miss. The Honors College provides undergraduate students from all disciplines with a vibrant center of academic excellence, merging intellectual rigor with public service.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy educational experience so far has been diverse,\u201d she said. \u201cI started as a biology major and took two art classes my freshmen year. The next year, I started minors in political science and Russian, and took a lot of studio art classes. As a junior, I decided to focus intensely on studio arts and applied for the Bachelor of Fine Arts program. And now, I’m design and fine arts hardcore.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’ve had some excellent professors in and outside of my major.\u201d<\/p>\n
She is slated to complete her bachelor\u2019s degree in December 2011. After graduation, she plans to either continue her studies or begin professional work.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will use design to intelligently, creatively and innovatively solve problems for clients,\u201d she said. \u201cI am especially interested in areas where design and other disciplines such as science, business, sociology, architecture and engineering overlap.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vise was among 109 Ole Miss students participating in UM Study Abroad programs this spring. Each year, the Study Abroad Office sends around 600 students abroad offering programs in more than 80 countries covering Latin America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa.<\/p>\n
A 2007 graduate of Jackson Academy, Vise is the daughter of Susan and Tim Dean, and Tommy Vise.<\/p>\n
For more information on UM Study Abroad, visit\u00a0 http:\/\/www.outreach.olemiss.