Maymester student featured in local Galveston newspaper

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Zhelun Chen, a 2012 recipient of the Galveston County Daily News’ Les P. Daughtry Scholarship, and a 2012 graduate of Ball High School who will be entering his senior year at the University of Texas at Austin this fall, has been jet-setting across the world. He is one of the inaugural members of the University of Texas Clements Center for National Security new study abroad program based in London.

The Daily News wanted to catch up with Chen to ask him a few questions on his experience in the United Kingdom, as well as find out what’s on the horizon for this young man who was born in Wuhan, China, and immigrated to the U.S. in 2001 with his parents, Yong Chen and Jin Wang.

Q. How do you feel your education in the Galveston Independent School District, particularly being a part of the debate team, has prepared you to do all of the things you’re doing now?

A. My education from GISD provided a strong foundation for my secondary education and helped prepare me for higher education. Contrary to popular opinion, GISD actually has phenomenal teachers and brilliant guidance counselors that does everything they can to push their students to make something of themselves. All the opportunities that I was fortunate enough to have was only possible due to the strong academic foundation that GISD has provided for me.

Being a part of Ball High School’s speech and debate team was pivotal in providing me with the skills needed to pursue my goals. The program taught me how to speak and present myself in a professional manner. More importantly, it taught me how to have confidence in myself and never stop pursuing new knowledge.

Q. What made you choose International Relations and Global Studies as a major?

A. I chose this major mainly because it fits my passion and personality. I travel extensively between the U.S. and East Asia, so IRG is a good major to see how I can utilize my travel experiences as a possible career path for the future. My main area of study in International Relations is on international security with a focus on U.S. — China Relations. I also focus on Grand Strategy and how history, strategy, and statecraft can be used to create an effective foreign policy for a State.

In early June I had an opportunity to learn the basics of War Studies from the prestigious War Studies Dept. at King’s College in London.

Q. Do you feel that your experience interning with the likes of Joe Jaworski and Craig Eiland has prepared you for your future career? What do you eventually want to do with your degree?

A. I was very fortunate to have had an opportunity to intern under former Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski and briefly with former State Rep. Craig Eiland. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to intern and learn from two of Galveston County’s most distinguished public servants. Working under them has taught me valuable lessons on how to conduct public policy and they showed me firsthand what it means to lead and govern.

I hope to pursue a career with either the State or Defense Dept. with my degree in international relations and global studies.

Q. How hard was the process to become an Undergraduate Fellow with the UT Clements Center for National Security? How was your experience overseas?

A. It was a rigorous application process to apply for both the Undergraduate Fellowship with UT Clements Center for National Security and the study abroad program in London. The William P. Clements Jr. Center for National Security at UT at Austin draws on the best insights of diplomatic and military history to train the next generation of national security leaders.

I had an awesome time in London, which was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me. I learned from some of the top foreign policy experts from the U.K. and the U.S. I met and learned from decision-makers that were members of British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s government. I also learned from senior British civil servants who worked under John Major and Margaret Thatcher.

Overall, this study abroad trip gave me an opportunity to meet with senior British civil servants and policymakers to learn from them the art of statecraft.

Q. What do you do for fun? What’s on the horizon for you?

A. I play golf for fun; I also sing karaoke. I’m currently preparing for graduate school with a focus in foreign relations.

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