Alumni
| Nathan Chamberlain, 2004 Global Studies - Asia alum was in Bayankhongo Mongolia from May 2008 to July 2010 in the Peace Corps. He was a small business advisor with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) implementing micro-finance, tourism and other programs. He and his wife (also an OU alum) wrote a travel guide with 2 writer-photographers and 30 other contributors that will be published by Other Places Publishing this summer. |
| News from Justin Sheets, 2005 Asian Studies Graduate |
I am very much using what I learned studying International Studies - Asia at OU. I am currently working as an English teacher in junior high schools in Suzuka, Mie, Japan. I'd like to take this opportunity to say that, while the problems in Northeast Japan are catastrophic, the rest of the country is safe and going strong. We will recover and we appreciate the support of the international community. The photo is from our recent graduation ceremony. |
| Zach Garinger, 2005 graduate of the Latin American Studies Program, just finished a 3.25 year stint in the Peace Corps, in El Salvador where he served as a Youth Development Volunteer. He also worked on a two-year nutrition project based on Maya nut (or bread nut) and micro-business development. Garinger commented that Peace Corps was one of the best experiences of his life. He plans to work on a mega yacht for a year before starting a graduate program focusing upon peace and conflict resolution in Buenos Aires, Argentina for which he received a scholarship from Rotary International. |
| Barton Rice is a class of '96 and alumni of the Merida México study abroad program. After graduation he was commissioned in the US Army and served from 1996-2004. After 2004, he was hired by PepsiCo (Pepsi) where he served as the Director of Marketing Equipment Management (MEM) Field Operations - México for just over a year. He has recently been promoted to Director of MEM Field Operations for the North Business Unit. He is responsible for the strategic service vision, planning and execution for the México market with an annual budget of $25 million and the asset stewardship of over 350,00 pieces of equipment valued at over $12 million. Says Rice, “the International Studies Program-Latin America was a great well rounded program that definitely prepared me for my positions in the Army and with Pepsi.” |
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| The picture of Lucia Alejos Mex is from his travels to Mérida for business. “ I walked right up to my Mama's’ house after 15 years (I stayed with her during the exchange program in 1995), and it was as if time never passed. It was wonderful seeing her again after all these years and she STILL takes OU students every year!” See more about Rice and Pepsi through LinkedIn: Director MEM Field Operations - Mexico PepsiCo-Pepsi Beverages Company (PBC) |
| Undergraduate European Studies Major receives Fulbright |
| Directly after graduation in 2008, Diana Hujeij taught at Höhere Bundeslehranstalt für Land- und Ernährungswirtschaft Elmberg in Linz, Austria through the Fulbright Program. Upon returning to the states (Ohio) she opened her own retail store at a local mall and sold gift items from local and international artists (as well as hand made jewelry that she designed). She then worked with Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions in New York City and is planning on starting a masters in Strategic Marketing in England. |  |