Eighteen undergraduate students have been awarded scholarships to engage in summer internships in East Asia, providing them with valuable work experience and the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the region's culture.
The East Asian Studies Center (EASC) provided $115,000 in fellowships thanks to a grant from the Freeman Foundation. “This wonderful new program will allow our students to engage with East Asia in ways that might otherwise have been impossible,” said Mitch Lerner, director of EASC. “Ohio State students now have the opportunity not just to travel and visit in the region but to really immerse themselves in its business and cultural life. This should be an experience they will never forget!”
Students could select an internship through a third-party provider arranged through the Office of International Affairs or apply for an internship at a company or institutional host directly through EASC. Depending on the option students chose, the funds they received would help offset costs related to the program, airfare, housing and other expenses.
“The Freeman Scholarship has allowed me to experience a culture completely different than what I grew up with in Ohio,” said 2025 recipient Andrew Beten. “I am grateful to gain this experience to help me prepare for a career in data science. I cannot express my gratitude enough!”
This summer, students will be traveling to Japan and Indonesia.
Fisher Global Internships: Japan
- Owen Blevins, a sophomore majoring in operations management, Nextbeat Co., Ltd.
- Garrett Logan, a junior majoring in international studies and history, SAI Inc.
- Kaia Lewis, a junior majoring in marketing, PMC Japan
- Victoria Mills, a sophomore majoring in accounting, J-Global, Inc.
- Kevin Ortiz, a first-year majoring in biology, Cardio Flow Design Inc.
- Katerina Velalis, a junior majoring in accounting, SThree K.K./Real
Kyoto University of Advances Sciences Research Internship
- Ayaan Baig, a junior majoring in data analytics, “Leveraging Consumer Wearable Activity Trackers and Predictive Modeling for Non-Invasive Continuous Glucose Monitoring” with Professor Zilu Liang
- Andrew Beten, a junior majoring in data analytics, “Leveraging Consumer Wearable Activity Trackers and Predictive Modeling for Non-Invasive Continuous Glucose Monitoring” with Professor Zilu Liang
- Zol Chen, a junior majoring in computer science, “Designing of a robotic surgical instrument using Computer-Aided Design” with Professor Sajid Nisar
- Kelly Coleman, a junior majoring in computer science, “Human-Machine interaction: How vibration feedback affects the user performance in fine manipulation of VR objects” with Professor Sajid Nisar
- Maximus Lococo, a senior majoring in applied math, “Leveraging Consumer Wearable Activity Trackers and Predictive Modeling for Non-Invasive Continuous Glucose Monitoring” with Professor Zilu Liang
- Hayden Morrison, a junior majoring in computer engineering, “Game on for Zzz's: Developing serious sleep games on smartwatches” with Professor Zilu Liang
- Aron Zheng, a sophomore majoring in computer sciences, “Game on for Zzz's: Developing serious sleep games on smartwatches” with Professor Zilu Liang
Education Abroad Network: Tokyo Internship
- Katie Maier, a juinior majoring in history, TOKI Tokyo
Mandara Dormitory Academy in Bali, Indonesia
- Ava Feller, a sophomore majoring in environmental sciences, student teaching at Mandara Dormitory Academy in Bali, Indonesia
- Sydney Hoang, a junior majoring in early childhood education, student teaching at Mandara Dormitory Academy in Bali, Indonesia
- Will Johnson, a junior majoring in primary education, student teaching at Mandara Dormitory Academy in Bali, Indonesia
- Crystal Tang, a sophomore majoring in teaching English to speakers of other languages, student teaching at Mandara Dormitory Academy in Bali, Indonesia
For more information about the Freeman Foundation Internship Program and other undergraduate opportunities, visit the East Asian Studies Center website.