Scholar Stories

Tis the end of Fall 2022 Campus Visits

Published 11/23/2022 in Program Updates

Written 11/23/2022

A Closer Look at the Russian-Ukrainian Conflict

Published 03/23/2023 in Scholar Travel Stipend

Written by Noreen Mohsin | 03/23/2023

The Milken Institute’s mission states that it helps “develop a blueprint for tackling some of our most critical global issues through the lens of what’s pressing now and what’s coming next.” And the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine is one of the most pressing issues in the world today. From August 27th to September 4th of this year, I traveled to three European countries in great proximity to Ukraine – Sweden, Denmark, and Switzerland. The actions by these countries showed true compassion - they’ve opened their homes and schools to refugees, and their clean energy sources to other countries.

Lessons from French Polynesia

Published 11/07/2022 in Scholar Travel Stipend

Written by Justin Hogenauer | 11/07/2022

There is a world of difference between viewing the Pacific as “islands in a far sea” and as “a sea of islands.” (Epeli Hau‘ofa, Our Sea of Islands)

Diversity in the US and Singapore

Published 11/07/2022 in Scholar Travel Stipend

Written by Dana Hua | 11/07/2022

Growing up in Los Angeles, I was accustomed to living in a diverse hotpot of ethnicities where every street had multiple authentic family run restaurants. Moving to Boston, although still diverse, the type of diversity was different. Boston’s diversity came primarily from the many college campuses that call Boston home, bringing in students from all parts of the world. This summer, I had the opportunity to travel to Singapore and see for myself how the Singaporean diversity differed even more from both the Boston and Los Angeles diversities I had come to know and love.

Implementation and Effects of Ecotourism in Panama

Published 11/07/2022 in Scholar Travel Stipend

Written by Haesung Jee | 11/07/2022

Ecotourism is a form of tourism that is primarily done with the objective of experiencing natural landscapes and observing wildlife, and is intended to support conservation efforts, bolster the economic growth of local peoples, and be a more sustainable alternative to traditional tourism.

Developing New Strategies to Protect Natural and Cultural Patrimony in Central Honduras

Published 11/07/2022 in Scholar Travel Stipend

Written by Carlos Flores | 11/07/2022

In 1972, the General Conference of the United Nation’s Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. Since then, UNESCO has officially recognized more than 1,000 heritage sites. Most of these sites have been successfully protected by national governments, but some of them have been poorly managed. Even more concerning, many cultural and natural sites are at risk of being destroyed even before UNESCO’s Committee ever has a chance to consider inscribing them on the World Heritage Site list.

Research in Israel

Published 11/07/2022 in Scholar Travel Stipend

Written by Nicole Schreiber | 11/07/2022

Just days after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, I embarked on a Taglit-Birthright trip to Israel to explore my Jewish identity and better understand how the conflict affects the daily well-being of Israelis.

Returning to Cambodia

Published 11/07/2022 in Scholar Travel Stipend

Written by Roy Kim | 11/07/2022

I decided to return to Cambodia because the work of the missionaries to Cambodia is particularly meaningful to me: their ministry model is predicated on a model of church-planting and discipleship - which is foremost among my beliefs and values - and encompasses several mercy ministries, including rescuing and rehabilitating girls from the horrors of sex and labor trafficking (which continue to be devastating problems in Cambodia), teaching English and other supplemental educational programs in the village, and feeding the poor.

Interning at the Milken Institute - Asia Center

Published 11/07/2022 in Scholar Travel Stipend

Written by Benjamin Levy | 11/07/2022

When I decided to take a gap year at the last minute, I was hesitant about postponing my college education but hopeful that the year ahead would prove to be worth the delay. I was not disappointed.

Teaching in Taiwan

Published 11/07/2022 in Scholar Travel Stipend

Written by Alyssa Chiang | 11/07/2022

Prior to spending my summer of 2022 in Taiwan, I had visited only a handful of times to the place my parents once called home. They have now spent a greater proportion of their lives in the U.S. than in their homeland, so I never had the chance to get to know Taiwan beyond my infrequent visits as a tourist with my family.

The Power of Milken Scholar Mentorship

Published 10/27/2022 in Program Updates

Written 10/27/2022

“…becoming a mentor for Jiyoun was one of the best ‘accidental’ or ‘coincidental’ things to happen to me. The friendship that grew out of my and Jiyoun’s mentor-mentee pairing greatly improved my college experience — she is someone I know I can call a friend for the rest of my life, beyond college. And I use the term of being Jiyoun’s ‘mentor’ loosely, because she has equally given me so much advice and support. From talking about the course curriculum or social scenes specifically at Princeton, to discussing personal challenges and career goals/motivations, and anything and everything in between, our mentor-mentee relationship has been an integral part of my college experience.” – Jamie Kim, MS ‘18

Winter Break in Bangladesh

Published 10/06/2022 in Scholar Travel Stipend

Written by Jahin Rahman | 10/06/2022

My winter break spent in Bangladesh brought numerous moments of fulfillment and reenergized me to work towards supporting my community back home.