Six Arizona State University undergraduates recently received Freeman Awards for Study in Asia, allowing them to participate in an intensive course on Chinese language and culture in Beijing this summer.

The students – Christopher Luiszer, Scott Parker, Tye Rabens, Libbie Stirgwolt, Bobby Szeto and David Ward – also will journey west on the Silk Road as part of a study abroad experience led by Claudia Brown, associate professor of art and director of the Center for Asian Studies, and Patty Pang, lecturer in the School of International Letters and Cultures.

“ASU has a strong commitment to programming in China, so we are very pleased that six of our students competed successfully for the Freeman-ASIA scholarships,” says Kathleen Fairfax, associate vice president for global engagement. “As we strive to get more students studying abroad in China and other parts of Asia, support such as that provided by the Freeman Foundation will be instrumental in making more opportunities available to all students.”

According to its Web site, the Freeman-ASIA program is designed to increase the number of U.S. undergraduate students participating in study abroad experiences in East or Southeast Asia by offering information and financial support to those “with demonstrated financial need.” In turn, award recipients are expected to share their experiences when they return to their home campuses and encourage others to study abroad in Asia.

Since its launch in 2000, Freeman-ASIA has helped support more than 3,000 U.S. undergraduates study abroad in East and Southeast Asia.

For more on Freeman-ASIA, visit the Web site www.iie.org/programs/Freeman-ASIA.