Since the Phillips Ambassadors Program began in 2007, the scholarship program has supported approximately 360 undergraduates studying abroad in Asia.
Three undergraduates from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have been selected as Phillips Ambassadors for study abroad programs in Asia in Spring 2021. All scholarship recipients will study in South Korea.
The Phillips Ambassadors Program is part of UNC’s Carolina Asia Center, in association with the UNC Study Abroad Office, in the College of Arts & Sciences. Phillips Ambassadors are selected twice a year and receive $6,000 each toward the cost of a UNC-approved study abroad program in Asia. Recipients are selected based on academic achievement, strong communication skills, intellectual curiosity and ambition, evidence of generous service to campus and community, and a previous record of leadership.
Since the Phillips Ambassadors Program began in 2007, the scholarship program has supported approximately 360 undergraduates studying abroad in Asia. Twenty-five percent of the scholarships are reserved for qualified undergraduate business majors and minors from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. Several scholarships each year are available to qualified Duke University undergraduates. Scholarship recipients choose from more than 70 UNC-approved academic programs in Asia that are offered by the College of Arts & Sciences and UNC Kenan-Flagler.
Phillips Ambassadors enroll in a global studies course designed uniquely for them. Successful completion of the three-hour credit course is required of all scholarship recipients. Led by Carolina faculty, the course challenges students to explore their study abroad locale in significant detail and seek understanding of the region in a global context.
A distinguishing feature of the program is an emphasis on what is called a “Give Back,” or sharing of one’s study abroad experience in Asia with the Carolina community and the student’s hometown. In accepting the scholarship, students agree to fulfill a Give Back related to their study abroad experience. Give Backs include endeavors such as published articles, classroom presentations at a student’s hometown high school, photo and art exhibitions, musical performances and group projects focused on Asia.
The Phillips Ambassadors program is made possible through a gift from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School alumnus Earl N. “Phil” Phillips Jr., an entrepreneur and former U.S. ambassador, and his family. The program is intended to generate greater interest in Asia among UNC students. Phillips has worked and traveled in Asia for more than 30 years and is a former U.S. Ambassador to the eastern Caribbean.
“Our goal with this gift has been to encourage more students to spend their study abroad experiences focused on Asia — an increasingly vital region of the future,” said Phillips, who splits his time between High Point and Chapel Hill.
For more information on the Phillips Ambassadors Program, including alumni news, application processes and deadlines, visit phillips.unc.edu.
NEW PHILLIPS AMBASSADORS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
- Hana Khan of Slough, United Kingdom, will study through Korea University. She is a history and political science double major.
- Zachary McMurdie of Coral Springs, Florida, will also study through Korea University. He is a linguistics major with a minor in Korean.
- Emily Rosario of Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, will study through Seoul National University. She is an Asian studies and global studies double major with a minor in chemistry.