 Professor Sun (center) with students on the Vietnam field trip. |
International Affairs
AU Abroad Profiles
Faculty Profile: Youli Sun, AU Abroad Coordinator
Growing up in Beijing, China, Youli Sun hoped to live in the United States.
"At that time," he says, "China was not open to the outside world. I was fascinated with the U.S. I was determined to go there and study American History."
In 1981, he arrived in the U.S. to study American History at Colby College. In 1988, he earned his Ph.D. in American History from the University of Chicago.
Sun has directed the AU Abroad, Beijing program since 1998, taking about 20 students to the city every fall to study Chinese history, culture, and business.
"Most of our students come from SIS, majoring in international relations," Sun says. "They want to learn the Chinese language, and see for themselves why the economy is growing so fast and what the political situation is. The growth of China economically and politically is a major draw."
The chance to teach in Beijing through AU has two huge benefits for a man who remains glued to American politics and his Chinese roots. "My parents are in their 80s," he says. "This job allows me to both take care of my folks and play a key role in the education of American students in things Asian and Chinese. I've become a bridge, so to speak, between America and China."
Alumna Profile: Natalie J. Hand
Semester in Sharjah, AU Abroad Partner
Spring 2004, International Service MajorNatalie Hand had already visited several Middle Eastern destinations, including Morocco and Syria, when she enrolled in AU's program in Sharjah. Once in the program, she threw herself into the experience, playing volleyball with an international collegiate team and taking advantage of inexpensive airfares to travel to Lebanon, Bahrain, Egypt, Sri Lanka, and other countries.
Ms. Hand hopes to work with Kurdish groups when her current job with the Democratic National Committee ends after the November presidential elections.
AU Abroad Enclave Alumna Profile: Leah S. Bergen
Leah S. Bergen
Semester in Madrid, AU Abroad Enclave
Spring 2004, International Peace and Conflict Resolution MajorLeah Bergen hoped to become fluent in Spanish and work during her semester in Madrid. "I definitely accomplished what I set out to do," says the Spring 2004 graduate. She completed her coursework in Spanish and accepted an internship at the Ministry of Culture and Education. "My teachers would go 10 extra miles to help me get the experience I wanted."
Bergen says she returned to the U.S. with a greater appreciation for the plight of refugees, and hopes to establish a career working with them.
