27 Apr 2015 UACCM student to attend program in China

University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton student Samantha Probst of Guy has been invited to attend the Phi Theta Kappa academic honor society’s International Scholar Laureate Program (ISLP) Delegation on Business and Entrepreneurship in China.  

The prestigious program is held in Beijing, Hangzhou, and Shanghai from Tuesday, May 26, until Friday, June 5.

Probst is a sophomore at UACCM and is enrolled in 17 credit hours this semester while working full-time. She is a member and treasurer of UACCM’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the official honor society for community colleges nationwide. Probst is the first UACCM student ever to be accepted to the ISLP.

Currently, Probst works fulltime handling elephants in Guy at Riddle’s Elephant and Wildlife Sanctuary. She works closely with the elephants as well as guests who visit the facility. Her experience of more than four years of working at the elephant sanctuary has helped her shape a plan for the future.

After UACCM, Probst plans to attend the University of Central Arkansas to study environmental science and applied mathematics.

Beyond that, she has big plans for applying what she learns in her studies as well as through her experiences in the ISLP. “My intention is to use my degree and my work experience to work with birds of prey and eventually open up a nonprofit organization to help rehabilitate raptors while educating the public about these amazing and environmentally vital species.”

Probst believes the ISLP delegation will benefit her greatly in her endeavors to start a nonprofit organization. The program features morning sessions with business proposals, lectures, group activities and discussions while the afternoon sessions include various cultural excursions in each of the cities.

While in Beijing, Probst will tour Tian’anmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Palace Museum, the Great Wall of China and the English Corner of Renmin University. There she will also have the opportunity to explore other popular landmarks independently. In Hangzhou, she will visit West Lake, Guo’s Villa and Ling Yin Temple. Shanghai offers the ERA Acrobatics Show to program participants as well as several other excursions for individual exploration.  

An optional extension for the trip is the chance to visit Hong Kong and participate in cultural excursions like touring Victoria Peak, the Aberdeen Fishing Village, Repulse Bay, Hong Kong Harbour and Nathan Road.

The experience is a costly one, totaling $5,000 for her hotel stay, meals, transportation and staff support for those working as translators, travel managers and speakers throughout the program.  Probst has spent the past few months raising funds to cover the trip’s expenses, and she continues to work to gain enough support for the last quarter of her tuition and travel costs.

Probst is excited about the opportunity to represent UACCM’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter in China. “The business and entrepreneurship skills I will learn on this trip will directly help in my efforts to open a nonprofit organization and help out the community in the future.”

For more information about Probst’s venture, contact her at [email protected]. To learn more about the ISLP, visit http://www.isbscholars.org.