​Natalie is a 2016 alumna and recipient of both the Area Studies Enrichment Award and the Latin American & Iberian Studies Award for Academic Excellence. Since graduation, she has worked as an ELI American Global Fellow, taught English in Chile, and is currently a Primary Literacy Promoter with the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic. "Peace Corps seemed to encompass everything I was looking for: learning a foreign language/culture, gaining valuable experience and, most importantly, helping others. I'm thrilled to have this amazing opportunity and hope I can make a positive and lasting impact on my community. " She's pictured here in Chile.

Of her study abroad trip with Area Studies faculty, junior Amanda DeFilippis says "It was life-changing. I learned so much about myself and about the world around me. Because of the trip, I feel as though I have a better awareness of other countries and the diverse cultures they have."

Find out how to change your perspective on the world by joining Global and Area Studies.

Mengzheng is a 2017 alumni and recipient of both the Area Studies Academic Achievement Prize and the David Pong Asian Studies Scholarship for Academic Excellence and Phi Beta Kappa. Since graduation, he studied at Peking University, China’s premier liberal arts university, during summer. He is entering the master program of sociology at the University of Delaware with full scholarship this fall. He plans to pursue a PhD degree in sociology and investigate social issues in Asia in the academia. “I always want to study Asian uniqueness using my sociological methodology learned in the United States.” He is pictured here in Boao Forum for Asia, China.