There and back again: one Mississippi State student spent six months studying at Oxford University in England, but he's back in Starkville and ready to share his experiences with the world.
Fourth-year international business major Ben Bailey likes taking all kinds of classes; in fact, his interest in coursework related to theology, philosophy, history and literature helped prepare him for his extended stay in England last spring.
"My education is very diverse. Although studying business is very practical, focusing on liberal arts education lets you think differently — thinking through issues and seeing the logic on both sides," he said.
Going to Oxford University was an exciting opportunity for Ben to experience liberal arts education in its original form. Instead of going to lecture halls with classmates, he met with an expert tutor (professor) once a week to show what he was writing and talk about what he was reading.
"Your job is more to research and examine, go out and seek out, ask questions and ponder, and think. Then, you'll spend 40 to 60 hours in the library doing research and reading and writing," he explained.
Even though he spent the majority of his time in England studying, Ben found time to pursue one of his hobbies: videography. He's been posting a series on YouTube that chronicles his experiences there, "An Oxford Tale," available at his youtube page, or by searching youtube for An Oxford Tale."
Ben recently completed all six episodes of the series, but when he's not working on that, he may be busy working at Mississippi State's TV station.
He also participates in Lab Rats Comedy, Alpha Phi Omega fraternity and Baptist Student Union, but what's keeping him busiest right now, he said, is fulfilling his responsibilities as a residence advisor in Griffis Hall.