Travel has always been a part of life for West Africa native, Anne-Emmanuelle Sunther ’17, but it was an East Asian politics course taught by Dr. Winston Wells, Findley Family Professor of International Affairs at Illinois College, that inspired her recent study-abroad trip to Shanghai. With IC’s resources and the guidance of faculty, Sunther was able to spend an entire semester studying among 24 million people in China’s largest city. As an international studies and economics major, Sunther studied the economic growth strategies used in China. She hopes to apply her knowledge to help developing countries in her future career. She recommends all IC students use the available resources to explore their study abroad options to craft an experience that fits with their educational goals.

“In my life, academics, passion and the work I enjoy doing are closely related. Illinois College has the resources for all students to have these unique opportunities. I was able to work with faculty and design an experience I enjoyed, learning and meeting new people while getting academic knowledge out of it. That is what drove me to go to China and it has been the best decision of my life.”