Lin Zhen Scholarship in Chinese Language and Taiwan Studies

The Lin Zhen Scholarship in Chinese Language and Taiwan Studies is awarded to support AMES majors and minors and students in the Integrated BA/MA and MA in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies programs travel to Taiwan and/or study of the Chinese language. Scholarships are awarded once every Spring and Fall Semester.

How to Apply

The awardee must be an undergraduate major or minor in AMES, in the Integrated BA/MA Asian Studies program, or in the MA in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies Program. Please note that Chinese Flagship students are NOT eligible for this scholarship. Priority will be given to students with financial need and non-native speakers.

To Apply:

Submit an unofficial transcript and contact information
Submit a one-page narrative statement (PDF) describing how you seek to use the funds (either for travel to Taiwan or for Chinese language study here or abroad).
Send applications to [email protected] with "Lin Zhen Scholarship" in the subject heading

The next application deadline is during the Fall 2025 semester.

For more information or to submit an application, contact Summer Carreño at [email protected].

Past Recipients

Niklas Gamble

Niklas Gamble won the Lin Zhen Scholarship in Chinese Language Studies for Spring 2025. Niklas is majoring in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies with a focus in Chinese Studies. Niklas plans to return to Taiwan to further his Chinese language skills and historical knowledge of the area.

Woman with brown hair in front of a nature background

Ava Wise

Ava Wise was awarded the Lin Zhen Scholarship in Chinese Language Studies for Fall 2024. Ava is pursuing a degree in Cellular and Organismal Physiology. Her goal is to study abroad with the CET Taiwan Summer Study Abroad program to further enhance her immersion learning and personal growth. Learning and speaking Mandarin supports Ava further her knowledge of communication, networking, and connection.

Man with short brown hair in a blue blazer and light blue collared shirt

Zachary Pieper

Zachary Pieper won the Lin Zhen Scholarship in Chinese Language Studies for Spring 2024. Zachary is double majoring in Computer Science and Music and minoring in Chinese Studies. He used his Chinese language skills while working for a summer at the Concordia Language Village, Sen Lin Hu (森林湖). With the awarded funds, Zachary will spend a semester studying abroad in Taiwan.

Woman with black hair in a black suit coat and black shirt in front of a gray background

Natalie Ku

Natalie Ku won the Lin Zhen Scholarship in Chinese Language and Taiwan Studies for Fall 2023. Natalie is double majoring in Finance and Risk Management Insurance and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies with a focus on Chinese Studies. Natalie uses her Chinese to reconnect with her family in Taiwan and to study abroad at Shanghai Jiaotong University.

Bao Yang

Bao Yang won the Lin Zhen Scholarship in Chinese Language and Taiwan Studies for Spring 2023. Bao is majoring in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies with a focus on Chinese Studies. With the awarded funds, Bao will study abroad in Taiwan to improve their Chinese language skills and understanding of Taiwanese culture and history.

Woman with dark red hair in a black blouse standing in front of a light blue background

Sara Martel

Sara Martel won the Lin Zhen Scholarship in Chinese Language and Taiwan Studies for Fall 2022. Sara is majoring in Linguistics with a minor in Chinese Studies. Sara looks forward to continuing to study Chinese both domestically and abroad in Taiwan.

Kieren Wiley

Kieren Wiley won the Lin Zhen Scholarship in Chinese Language and Taiwan Studies for Spring 2022. Kieren is majoring in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies with a focus in Japanese Studies and, with the awarded funds, plans to study abroad in Taiwan to improve their Chinese language skills and immerse themselves culturally.

Natalie Ku

Natalie Ku won the Lin Zhen Scholarship in Chinese Language and Taiwan Studies for Fall 2021. She is majoring in Finance and International Business with a minor in Chinese Studies. Natalie has used Chinese to reconnect with her Taiwanese heritage, converse with peers abroad, and intends to continue her studies in AMES during a semester at Shanghai Jiaotong University.

Lilly Knopf

Lilly Knopf won the Lin Zhen Scholarship in Chinese Language and Taiwan Studies in Spring 2021. She is majoring in Linguistics with a minor in Chinese as well as Teaching English as a Second Language. Lilly intends to use the funds to facilitate their ongoing journey in unlocking their linguistic and cultural competences in Chinese, including travelling abroad to study in Taiwan and take part in a Chinese language program.

Sophia Vedvik

Sophia Vedvik won the Fall 2020 Lin Zhen Scholarship in Chinese Language and Taiwan Studies. She is a University Honors student majoring in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics with a minor in Chinese. Sophia intends to utilize her study of Chinese within a future Aerospace Engineering career seeking collaborations between our two nations' growing Aerospace industries.

William LaCroix

William LaCroix was awarded the Lin Zhen Scholarship in Spring 2020. William is majoring in Linguistics with a minor in Chinese. He will be putting this scholarship towards completing his final semester here at the University of Minnesota. After graduation, William intends to move to China full time to begin a career teaching English.