Gift endows study abroad scholarship, broadening horizons for students
Students who participate in the One Health Australia study abroad trip learn through immersive experiences about the connections between human, animal and environmental health.
Across cultures and continents, travel has the power to shift perspective, deepen empathy and spark lifelong curiosity. In Arizona State University’s School of Human Evolution and Social Change, study abroad programs are designed to do just that by immersing students in environments that enrich both their academic and personal growth.
A generous gift from Jim and Pia Eder has now permanently endowed the Transformative Travel Through SHESC Study Abroad Scholarship, expanding access to these experiences for students.
The endowed scholarship will support students participating in faculty-led study abroad programs by reducing financial barriers. The school offers programs around the world — including trips to London, France, Australia, Peru and Guatemala — that integrate coursework with hands-on research, cultural exchange and community-based learning.
“An endowed scholarship creates opportunity not just for today’s students, but for generations to come,” said Patrick Ryan Williams, professor and director of the School of Human Evolution and Social Change.
“This gift ensures that more students, regardless of financial circumstances, can participate in the global learning experiences that define our school and our programs. We are very grateful to the Eders for their support of our students and our mission.”
Jim Eder joined ASU in 1974 and spent his entire academic career in the School of Human Evolution and Social Change (named the Department of Anthropology at the time). He built a research portfolio grounded in long-term fieldwork in Southeast Asia, particularly in the Philippines. His research explored how ecological, economic and social change shaped communities in Palawan, with particular attention to migration, natural resource use and ethnic identity.
But Eder’s connection to the Philippines began before his academic career. He met his wife, Pia, while serving in the Peace Corps there, an experience that shaped their shared belief in travel as a powerful tool for connection. That belief continued throughout his career, including his leadership of study abroad programs at ASU in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.
The Eders say their decision to endow the study abroad scholarship is also rooted in gratitude. Because of Jim’s role as a faculty member, one of their children was able to attend ASU at a reduced cost. Establishing this fund, they note, is one way of giving back to the university community that supported their family and shaped their lives.
Learn more:
Information about School of Human Evolution and Social Change's study abroad programs can be found here.
Make a gift:
Impact more students by making a gift to the Transformative Travel Through SHESC Study Abroad Endowment here.
The Eders have long believed that travel broadens horizons, deepens understanding and opens doors to new ways of thinking. Their decision to endow the scholarship reflects a desire to ensure financial constraints do not limit students’ ability to participate in experiences that can be academically and personally impactful.
“Study abroad is one of the most powerful ways we transform our classrooms, teaching real-world lessons in global settings,” said Katie Hinde, associate professor in the School of Human Evolution and Social Change.
Hinde is also the faculty lead for the school’s annual study abroad trip to Australia.
“In the One Health Australia program, students examine the connections between human health, animal health and environmental health across 15 different ecosystems,” Hinde said. “Students see firsthand how ecological change, cultural practices and public health are deeply intertwined.
“Experiences like these allow students to connect theory with practice and understand how research is dynamic and collaborative. And through this process, students gain confidence not only in their sense of self, but also as emerging scholars. When we expand access to study abroad, we are giving more students the opportunity to grow academically while also growing as global citizens who can think across disciplines and across borders.”
Through the Transformative Travel Through SHESC Study Abroad Scholarship Endowment, the Eders’ gift will have a lasting impact, supporting students as they engage with the world beyond campus and bring those experiences back into their studies and communities.
“Students don’t just journey thousands of miles; they bridge the chasm from ideas to application, embedded in communities where they build connections and cultivate curiosity to last a lifetime,” Hinde said.
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