Ryan Roco said he will pursue an M.Sc. in Asian Politics and an M.A. in Southeast Asian Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. He will graduate from UNM in July 2015 with a B.A. in Political Science and minors in Asian Studies and Philosophy.
“In the U.K., I’m most excited to study and to build my regional expertise in Southeast Asia, particularly Burma. Outside of school, I’m looking forward to connecting with human rights organization and policy think tanks,” he said.
Roco said he also plans to work as a volunteer with refugees in Britain.
“I’ve worked with refugees in the United States the last two years, and I’m looking forward to what I can learn from and what I can contribute to these communities in the UK,” he said.
Roco’s interests in armed conflict and activism led him to work extensively with humanitarian organizations and as a photojournalist within areas of forced displacement in Burma and Thailand, according to his website.
His research and reporting have been published and recognized internationally. The documentary for which he was second unit director, “Art as a Weapon,” is screening across the country and has won multiple awards.
Roco said the day after the finalist interview in Houston he received a phone call from the communications officer of the British Consulate, explaining that he had won the scholarship.
“I had the phone on speaker and Leah, my wife, started crying,” he said. “We’ve been hoping to study in London for some time now, and to hear in five seconds over the phone that it was now all going to be possible was pretty emotional — both an incredible honor and responsibility.”
The Marshall Scholarship was established in 1953 as an expression of Britain’s gratitude for American economic assistance received through the Marshall Plan after World War II, according to its website.
Around 900 students are endorsed for the scholarship by their universities annually, according to the website. Only 40 of those students nationwide receive the award. In addition to their studies, Marshall Scholars act as informal ambassadors while studying abroad in the UK.
Marielle Dent is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at mdent@unm.edu or on Twitter @Marielle_Dent.
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