Ten undergraduates from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill were selected as Phillips Ambassadors for Spring 2023 study abroad programs in Asia. Undergraduate scholarship recipients will study in Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand.
The Phillips Ambassadors Program is a program of UNC’s Carolina Asia Center, in association with the Study Abroad Office, in the College of Arts and Sciences. Phillips Ambassadors are selected twice a year and each receive a $6,000 scholarship. Selection is based on strong communication skills, intellectual curiosity and engagement, academic achievement, evidence of generous service to the campus and wider community, and a previous record of leadership.
Twenty-five percent of the scholarships are reserved for qualified undergraduate business majors and minors at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. Up to two scholarships each year are available to qualified Duke University undergraduates.
Phillips Ambassadors choose from more than 70 academic programs in Asia that are approved by the College of Arts & Sciences and Kenan-Flagler Business School. Scholarship recipients enroll in a three-credit hour global studies course designed uniquely for them. Led by UNC’s Earl N. Phillips Jr. Distinguished Professor of International Studies, Dr. Michael Tsin, 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, presentations, art exhibitions, and group projects focused on Asia.
The Phillips Ambassadors Program is made possible through a gift from Carolina alumnus Earl N. “Phil” Phillips Jr., an entrepreneur and former U.S. ambassador, and his family.
“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, North Carolina.
The first group of Phillips Ambassadors studied abroad in Asia in the summer of 2007. Since then more than 400 Carolina undergraduates have studied abroad in Asia as Phillips Ambassadors. Applications for 2023 summer, fall, and academic year study abroad programs and scholarships are due on February 10.
The new Phillips Ambassadors are listed below alphabetically by North Carolina county, followed by out-of-state recipients.
NORTH CAROLINA AMBASSADORS
Buncombe
Erin Rogers of Asheville is studying through Yonsei University in South Korea. She is a media and journalism and peace, war, and defense double major, and a public policy minor.
Guilford
Hannah Swanton of Greensboro is also studying through the National University of Singapore. She is a global studies and geography double major.
Iredell
Caleb Green of Mooresville is studying through Yonsei University in South Korea. He is a biology major and Korean minor.
Madison
Marlene Trejo of Hot Springs is also studying through Yonsei University in South Korea. She is a human development and family studies major.
Mecklenburg
Audrey Lin of Charlotte is studying through the National University of Singapore. She is a business administration and economics double major, and a data science minor.
Wake
Joshua Manandhar of Cary is studying through Yonsei University in South Korea. He is an economics and statistics double major, and a data science minor.
Divya Patel of Cary is studying through the Mahidol University International College in Thailand. She is a global studies and public policy double major, and a sustainability minor.
Mason Wasik of Raleigh is studying through Keio University in Japan. He is a communications major and entrepreneurship minor.
OUT-OF-STATE AMBASSADORS
Jonny Huang of Memphis, Tennessee, is studying through CET Taiwan. He is a computer science and economics double major, and a Chinese minor.
Adithi Reddy of Appleton, Wisconsin, is studying through the National University of Singapore. She is a global studies and interdisciplinary studies double major, and a sustainability studies minor.