Thomas Huang '17

What advice do you have for others interested in following down a similar path?
Follow your passion. If you are into learning new languages and exploring diverse cultures, show it. If you are into research and cultural perspectives, prove it. Demonstrate your ability in adapting to new environments and your openness to getting out of your comfort zone. Explain why this opportunity fits perfectly for you, and why you will gain more value out of it than others. Share how you intend to use what you learn during the [period you are funded with the] Boren Scholarship in your future endeavors; there has to be a clear connection. Furthermore, develop relationships with your professors and mentors so that you can provide strong letters of recommendations. You can also strengthen your application by studying abroad and applying for other language programs such as the Critical Language Scholarship, which I did prior.
What were you involved with while at UCF?
I was heavily involved in the Student Government Association, study abroad and the UCF College of Business, in addition to the Burnett Honors College, during my time at UCF.
One of my most influential research positions was at the Office of Global Perspectives, where I served as the China-Taiwan Fellow, researching and publishing weekly briefs on US-China-Taiwan relations. I also assisted in [welcoming] international guest speakers to UCF and writing articles on international events. Jes, my supervisor and mentor (who is also a UCF honors alumna), was influential in helping with my Boren Scholarship application to study Chinese in Taiwan. I also held numerous roles in student government as campus outreach chair and [UCF College of] Business senator, helping pass an $19.9 million ASF budget for the school, and organizing diversity networking initiatives for 400+ student organizations. I also served as a College of Business ambassador and study abroad ambassador, helping [to] organize events for business and international students, including Hall of Fame, [which] welcomed UCF’s most influential alumni and donors.
Outside of UCF, I also interned in an angel investment fund, the French Chamber of Commerce, and a biotech startup to explore more [of] the finance and startup community.
What are some of the activities you enjoy outside of work?
My favorite hobby is definitely traveling, because it allows you to learn about new cultures, people, and languages, while also discovering yourself along the way.
What can you share about your future plans/long-term goals? How has receiving these prestigious scholarships helped you towards those goals?
After graduating from UCF in 2017, I was offered a Fulbright Scholarship to teach at Macau Polytechnic University and a full-ride scholarship to pursue my master’s degree in economics at one of the top programs in the world in Hong Kong at Hong Kong Baptist University. I’m still interested in politics and worked closely with the U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong on various initiatives, including Education USA (studying abroad in America) and wildlife initiatives. Professionally, I’ve had more [of a] chance to explore my interests in startups in an international environment, starting my own finance and travel startups. I’m currently working in an HR and media startup.
The Boren Scholarship prepared me for living abroad in a Chinese-speaking environment. Despite Cantonese being the main language (along with English) in Hong Kong, Mandarin is quite useful, in addition to the traditional Chinese I learned, which is the main written language here. While studying Chinese, I also studied business practices in Taiwan, which have helped me professionally as well in Hong Kong. It really has prepared me for a career in business and politics in Asian society, and I intend to stay on this route in the future.