Student Life

2021-2022 Freeman Scholars

Spring 2022 Scholars

Studying abroad in Korea will allow me to immerse myself in a completely new culture and push me out of my comfort zone. I am looking forward to gaining a broader international perspective, experiencing new cultures and learning more about myself. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to study abroad and I am excited to see where my journey will take me.

Derren Fung: Finance; Yonsei University, Korea

Growing up, I've always dreamed to travel to different countries to learn about various cultures. I am so grateful for this opportunity to take that next step to immerse myself in an international experience abroad. I'm excited to expand my perspective as a global citizen, grow personally and professionally as a business student, and create unforgettable memories in South Korea.

Rosalyn Kagimoto: Finance & International Business; Seoul National University, Korea

Being able to study abroad in one of my favorite cities in the world is an amazing opportunity that I am extremely grateful for! During my time in Hong Kong, I hope to continue broadening my worldview and overcome challenges from living in another country on my own. I also hope to serve as a resource for students unsure of studying abroad during these unprecedented times.

Ailene Lau: Marketing, Finance, & International Business; City University, Hong Kong

I am extremely excited and grateful for this opportunity to study abroad in Japan. During my time in Japan, I would like to not only further my personal and professional development but I would also like to connect with my roots and learn more about my cultural background and where I come from. I hope to create new lifelong connections and immerse myself in a different environment to learn about different worldviews and perspectives.

Kokoro Matsumoto: Marketing & International Business; Keio University, Japan

Through being provided this tremendous opportunity to study abroad, I intend to challenge myself to grow academically, socially, and personally as I experience completely new situations. I look forward to gaining wisdom, insight, and long-lasting relationships by interacting with and meeting various people while in Korea, which will further propel my development of a more diversified, well-rounded perspective of people, societies, cultures, and business environments on an international scale.

Jordan Namba: Marketing, Management Information Systems, & International Business; Yonsei University, Korea

I am ecstatic and grateful to have the opportunity to study abroad, as it has been a goal of mine to achieve during my time in college. I look forward to immersing myself in the various cultures that reside within Singapore. Additionally, I am open to experiencing the new challenges that will come with adapting to a different environment and going out of my comfort zone to make meaningful connections. I believe this will greatly contribute to my personal and professional development. I am excited to make lasting memories and have fun!

Jade Robinson: Marketing & Chinese; National University of Singapore, Singapore

While studying abroad in Korea, I hope to explore new places, meet new people along the way, and challenge my ability to adapt to new surroundings. I am beyond grateful for this opportunity and can’t wait to immerse myself in Korea’s culture and make unforgettable memories

Jacilyn Sera: Marketing; Korea University of Business, Korea

During my time abroad, I look forward to learning about the many aspects of Japan's culture and language. While I may face many challenges, they will help me to grow personally and professionally. The experience and relationships I gain will be invaluable.

Peter Tan: Finance & International Business; Keio University, Japan

Studying abroad has always been a dream and goal of mine, so during my time in Japan I hope to make many lasting memories and form new friendships with people from all over the world while also expanding my cultural horizons. I am looking forward to growing personally as well as professionally during my stay and am excited for what this upcoming semester has in store for me.

Jacob Viernes: Accounting & Finance; Keio University, Japan

During my time in Japan, I look forward to immersing myself in the Japanese culture and language. As per my studies, I am extremely excited to experience and learn about the Japanese omotenashi practice. While in Japan, I hope to create new connections, as well as reconnect with previous connections.

Fanglin Xu: Finance, Human Resource Management, & Travel Industry Management; Keio University, Japan

While studying abroad in Taiwan, I want to obtain the experience of independently living and studying in another country for several months and gain a deeper understanding of the local culture by visiting different regions in Taiwan. As people across the globe are becoming more interconnected, I wish to make new connections and meet new people from all over the world to widen my worldview and perspective.

Deborah Yuan: Marketing & International Business; National Taiwan University, Taiwan

Fall 2021 Scholars

Growing up in Hawai'i and barely traveling outside the islands, I have always wanted to experience the international culture. Studying abroad has been a goal of mine since I graduated high school due to its unique experience. I am majoring in international business leading to my interest in international affairs. I hope to learn more about Korea's culture and gain as much experience as I can, not only educationally but also to grow personally.

Nickolas Ashikawa: Marketing & Management Information Systems; Yonsei University, Korea

As learning experiences lie beyond the classroom, I look forward to immersing myself in a different atmosphere where I can grow in cultural appreciation, global awareness, and personal development. While in Korea, I hope to better understand the arena of global business all while establishing new friendships, tackling unknown challenges, and embarking on life-changing opportunities.

Jeryll John Bernardo: Human Resource Management & International Business; Korea University Business School, Korea

As an Asian-American local in Hawaii, it has inspired me to embrace differences in our melting pot of cultures. I love exploring new scenes, challenging myself to go beyond, and applying what was learned. With my opportunity to study abroad, I will create everlasting memories that will enhance my knowledge and prepare me to work with an international mindset.

Justina Bui: Finance, Human Resource Management, International Business, & Management Information Systems; Ewha Womans University, Korea

I look forward to immersing myself in a new culture while I am in Korea this semester. From learning experiences in the classroom and beyond, I hope to establish new connections and grow as a future international business professional as I embark on a new chapter of my life.

Kelli Chinen: Finance and Human Resource Management; Ewha Womans University, Korea

I am beyond excited for this amazing opportunity to study abroad in Korea which has been my biggest goal for college. During my time in Korea, I look forward to developing myself professionally, challenging my academics, establishing life-long friendships, exploring new cultures and perspectives and most importantly, having the best time of my life!

Phoebe Choi: Finance & BA Economics; Ewha Womans University, Korea

To me, studying abroad has always been about immersing oneself in another country's culture and learning and experiencing as much as possible. Being able to live and learn in a completely different environment has always been a dream of mine as it will not only enable me to broaden my mindset to look at things from a different perspective but to grow personally and professionally as well. I hope to make the most out of this once in a lifetime opportunity by networking and developing lifelong connections and memories with new people all around the world while simultaneously learning more about myself through living independently.

Sharon Diep: Marketing & Management Information Systems; Yonsei University, Korea

Throughout my time at Shidler, studying abroad has been my long-time goal. I am very grateful and excited for the opportunity to study in South Korea for the upcoming semester. I hope to experience and learn many multicultural experiences and different perspectives of global business while making many long-lasting friendships.

Alissa Higaki: Human Resource Management & International Business; Ewha Womans University, Korea

Ever since doing a homestay in Asia during high school, it has been one of my dreams to study abroad. Doing an international exchange in Korea will push me out of my comfort zone, and I am looking forward to immersing myself in the local culture, making connections abroad, and expanding my global perspective. Upon my return, I hope to share my experiences and encourage Shidler students to study abroad.

Sydni Kim: Accounting; Seoul National University, Korea

With over a year of anticipation for studying abroad, I eagerly look forward to understanding Korea's culture, peoples, and traditions while gaining an international business mindset. A semester in Korea is sure to be an unforgettable, eye-opening perspective encouraging personal growth and professional development, and I am so grateful for this opportunity

Natalie Kwon: Human Resource Management, Marketing, & International Business; Yonsei University, Korea

By Studying abroad at the City University of Hong, I hope to learn more about myself, widen my perspectives, and expand my network both personally and professionally. I am looking forward to learning a new language, trying new foods, and travelling across the world.

Giovani Martin: Finance; City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Growing up, I loved traveling the world with my grandparents and dreamed of one day living abroad. I am beyond excited to have the opportunity to study in Korea and hope to gain new perspectives on business, immerse myself in a new culture, and create lifelong memories.

Elijah-Anakin Shintaku: Finance & International Business; Sogang University, Korea

Studying abroad has always been a dream of mine and I am so excited to have the opportunity to go to South Korea. While abroad, I hope to immerse myself in the culture fully and develop my networking skills while also creating life long memories with the friends I make.

Michelle Tan: Marketing & International Business; Ewha Womans University, Korea

In South Korea, I hope to immerse myself in the culture and explore everything the country has to offer while developing myself as a student. This opportunity will allow me to grow as an aspiring business professional and as a global citizen by broadening my network and perspective in an international environment.

Michelle Yim: Accounting, Finance, & International Business; Ewha Womans University, Korea