Many University students will travel abroad this summer, but only two funded by the Honors International Scholars Program will travel toChinato study medicine.

JuniorMuhan Huand sophomoreMatthew Hess,biochemistry majors from Augusta, will leave for Beijing in June. From there they will travel toKaifeng,China,where they will shadow doctors in the city hospital. The couple will also visit a small village outside of the city to experience the differences between a big city hospital and a small town clinic.

Muhan Hu and her boyfriend Matt are going on a trip to China funded by the Honors program to learn about medicine in Asia. KATHRYN INGALL/Staff

TheHonors International Scholars Programis an award program granted to second and third year honors students through competitive application to support them so they may travel abroad.

We dont want lack of money to prevent students from studying abroad, saidMaria de Rocher, coordinator of honors programming. We select students depending on the money we have available, usually around 35 to 45 students. This year we were able to award scholarships to 50, so thats a great number we have been able to award.

De Rocher said the scholarship gets funding from individual donations, and applications are due in early November for travel the following year.

Students who apply can choose an already existing program or can make their own program. During the application process, students write a proposal of what they will do and from that they are judged on whether the idea is worth funding.

Hu and Hess chose to make their own program studying different types of medicine inChina, because Hu was able to connect with people there who could help her reach this goal.

The big challenge was actually getting in touch with someone inChinawho would sponsor us while we were there, Hu said. I do not foresee any huge problems once we get there. I am fluent in Chinese, but I think Matt might have a harder time since he doesnt speak the language.

Hu, who is originally fromChina, said she is enthusiastic about going back to be able to tour the country and see the sites with Hess while studying medicine there.

Continued here:
Students create their own study abroad program to China