Sherman, Texas -- Nine Austin College students comprising the inaugural cohort of Asia-Pacific Scholars have returned from a three-week trip to Australia, Singapore, and South Korea. Advisors Cheryl Marcelo, Director of International Programs for the College, and Dr. Ruchan Kaya, Assistant Professor of Political Science, accompanied the group.
Students representing a variety of majors including political science, international relations, and international finance comprised the cohort. They participated in a total of 21 academic engagements, including visits to local parliaments in Australia and chambers of commerce in Sydney and Singapore, meetings with American Embassy foreign policy officers, and attendance at five lectures at three different universities.
The students conducted surveys and ethnographies, interviewed experts, and performed observations in support of individual research projects. Their completed projects on topics including climate change, geopolitics, soft power, and criminal systems will be presented to peers and faculty sponsors during the Austin College Scholars Conference next spring, which is free and open to the public.
In addition to academic activities, the group visited various museums and botanical gardens, hiked Australia’s Blue Mountains, experienced Singapore’s Chinatown, Little India, and Arab Street, and participated in local market immersion activities. They also visited the demilitarized zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea and the Korean War Memorial.
The Asia-Pacific Scholars Program is funded through the generosity of a private alumni donor who participated in a similar opportunity while attending Austin College and wanted to replicate that transformative experience for current students. The award includes all travel costs plus a stipend for each student, which supports the program’s goal of providing each scholar an equal learning experience, regardless of their family’s financial position.
Of the trip, faculty advisor Kaya said, “This is one of the most immersive and comprehensive research travel opportunities that a student could ever get. Traveling to three countries, five major cities, meeting with experts, academics, policy makers, and diplomats; our gifted AC students have gone through a life-changing research travel experience."
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, pre-professional foundations, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 44 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 50 percent of students identifying as persons of color. The residential student body of approximately 1,300 students and an expert faculty of more than 100 educators allow a 13:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. Related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA), Austin College cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. The College, founded in 1849, is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.