student

Stephanie Chan '13

Finance and Public Relations | Grenta, La.

Summer 2011 Plans:

This summer, I am participating in a paid 10-week internship in New York. My position is Marketing Research Intern for the Consumer Goods Department at Ipsos, a fifth ranked global research company.

I considered much larger universities, including U.C.L.A. and Penn State, before I decided on Susquehanna. I always wanted to live in the Northeast. Although it might seem like it’s in the middle of nowhere, Susquehanna is at the center of everything—with major cities from New York to Washington, D.C., all about three hours away.

After meeting my business professors, I realized that I’d benefit from a school where I wasn’t just another number. I also was fortunate to be named one of Susquehanna’s first Founders Scholars, which includes a full-tuition scholarship. Now I am a resident adviser and coach four freshmen in a Global Business Perspectives course. I also participate in Sustained Dialogues, which allows students to candidly discuss such issues as race and gender.

In addition, I went on a weeklong LeaderShape retreat, which was better than any other leadership experience I’ve ever had. The retreat brought together Susquehanna students from different groups, students who I otherwise probably wouldn’t get to know. We were able to build friendships and appreciate each other’s perspectives—and realize that we’d later be able to rely on each other for support.

I tapped into that support when I restarted the Asian Cultural Association, in order to heighten awareness of a really important developing part of the world. I speak some Taiwanese and Mandarin Chinese, and I believe it’s important for Susquehanna students to realize this whole other world exists. The more you know about other cultures, the more you start to think about your own.

I don’t think I would have had the same kind of experiences or the opportunities to do things like restart the Asian Cultural Association at other universities, so I’m really happy that I chose Susquehanna. My first year really surpassed all my expectations. I really wonder where I’ll go through Susquehanna and what I’ll become by my senior year.