Scholarship recipients take Adelaide to Asia

It takes a special kind of courage and determination to step outside your comfort-zone – but that’s something these three intrepid students have in spades.

Next year, all three will heading off to leading universities in Asia to continue their studies, thanks to the Australian Government’s prestigious New Colombo Plan Scholarships.

Felicia Adikea is the University of Adelaide’s first Bachelor of Arts student to receive approval to complete her honours overseas. She sees her upcoming experience at the National University of Singapore as more than academic – it’s a chance to be immersed in a culture and build international connections. Felicia is also hoping to leverage her interests in anthropology and criminology to work with policy leaders in the region.

“The application process and the connections I’ve made have already been life-changing,” Felicia says. “I’m really looking forward to deep cultural immersion in Singapore. Personally, I believe it’s a really important experience to have.”

Alecia Gee will be the first Adelaide student to complete the research component of her Chemistry honours overseas, at the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology in South Korea. She’s also planning to undertake an internship at Seoul National University’s Cancer Research Institute – as well as a science and technology internship at the United Nations.

“My exchange to the UK in second year gave me the confidence to commit to a longer experience,” Alecia says. “I want to see how different universities approach education and research. It’s important to expose yourself to different research methodologies and share in the development of ideas.”

Andy Tran has been looking for opportunities to study overseas since his first year. The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical)/Bachelor of Finance student participated in a New Colombo Plan Mobility Program last year, and his experience in Nepal opened his eyes to experiences in Asia. Next year he’ll be studying in Taiwan, immersing himself in the culture and learning Mandarin to supplement his studies in finance and chemical engineering.

“I have a strong interest in sustainability, which only grew during my time in Nepal,” Andy says. “With the Scholarship, I can travel as well as study at Taiwan’s top university and gain experience working in the region.”

Supporting the University of Adelaide’s best and brightest students to explore and connect with international academics and institutions is a key part of the University’s role. International engagement underpins the exchange of knowledge and ideas across our region – and will give Alecia, Andy and Felicia an experience of a lifetime.

For further information, visit the University’s Study Overseas website.