Two Trinity College alumni—Stanislav Knezevic ’21 and Shawn Olstein ’22—recently were named recipients of a Yenching Scholarship from the Yenching Academy of Peking University in China to pursue an interdisciplinary master’s degree in China studies.
Scholars awarded these full fellowships take courses in the social sciences and humanities in relation to China, working alongside their academic mentors. Outside the classroom, they participate in fieldwork and extracurricular activities to advance their knowledge and understanding of China and its past, present, and future influence on the world.
“What Yenching Academy will allow me to do is complement my understanding of European and American politics with a deep understanding of China’s role in the world,” said Knezevic, who majored in political science, minored in philosophy, and studied abroad in Paris and in London.
As an undergraduate, Knezevic, of Serbia, worked in the Dean of Student’s Office and was involved in the Student Activities, Involvement & Leadership Office, the Model United Nations Club, and the International Relations Club. As a sophomore, he served as a research assistant to John R. Reitemeyer Professor of Political Science Anthony Messina, focusing on American immigration politics. He also participated in Trinity’s Legislative Internship Program and won, with Ana Stambolic ’21, a Davis Projects for Peace grant.
Currently, Knezevic is the Youth Delegate of the Republic of Serbia to the United Nations. He also is a member of the Young Ambassadors Program of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. After finishing his studies at the Yenching Academy, Knezevic plans to pursue a career in diplomacy.
Photo by John Marinelli
Olstein, of New Jersey, majored in political science and international studies: Asian studies. He served as president of the Class of 2022 and of the Ulmus Literary Society and as a member of the Mock Trial Team and the Honor Council. During his first year at Trinity, Olstein received the First-Year Papers Award and was named a Deans’ Scholar for being among the 25 full-time, first-year students with the highest grade point averages at the end of their first year at Trinity.
Olstein’s interest in applying to be a Yenching Scholar relates directly to his studies at Trinity and to his goals for the future. “A lot of what I’ve done at Trinity with political science and Asian studies has been focused on China and the national politics,” said Olstein. “Studying at the Yenching Academy is an extension of the Trinity education I’ve received through the American perspective, so being in China, I will get the Chinese perspective through the culture.” Olstein hopes to pursue a career in diplomacy and security, working for the U.S. Department of State.