Westpac Asian Exchange Scholarship

Are you curious about what Asia has to offer? Aside from its economic potential, it remains one of the most exciting regions in the world. The Westpac Asian Exchange Scholarship will immerse you in everything this region has to offer - ultimately forging long lasting and meaningful relationships between the next generation of young Australian and Asian leaders.

What makes this scholarship program unique?
The Westpac Asian Exchange Scholarship includes:

• up to $12,250 to cover travel costs, accommodation, cultural immersion activities and other overseas expenses for up to two-semesters. Plus, participation in the Leadership Development Program
• a one-week residential experience in Asia to enhance cultural-competency, establish support networks and connect with Australia-Asia thought leaders
• access to opportunities beyond the classroom to experience the local culture, build life-long connections and develop scholars as Asia-capable leaders
• lifelong membership to the W100 - a diverse and growing network of inspiring Aussies ready to collaborate, challenge and offer support. The Asian Exchange Scholarship is one of five programs offered by Westpac Scholars Trust
• attendance at the Westpac Scholars Summit in Sydney (travel restrictions dependent).

Students are invited to attend an information session held each year in October.  Please visit ANU Global Programs website for when the information session is held.

Why is the Leadership Development Program so valuable?
The week-long residential in Asia brings all the Scholars together before they head off on their respective exchanges. Through a combination of site visits, panel discussions, networking events and simulations, Scholars will gain the knowledge and skills they need to live and work in the region and connections to help them establish a support network. Past activities have included a Race around Shanghai, design thinking workshop, field trip to experience "The new retail" through Alibaba's Hema and concept Starbucks store, and a simulation to tackle a Foreign Affairs and Trade brief. The following are key outcomes:

1. an understanding of how macro-level geopolitics influence business and culture in Asia
2. increased confidence as Asia-capable leaders through workshops in cross-cultural competence and innovation, and through leadership development opportunities as they help lead discussions throughout the week
3. Scholars are connected to global thought leaders and strong leadership role models in different domains (academic, industry, not-for-profit and government)
4. an established and connected cohort of Asian Exchange Scholars, facilitating collaboration, networking and peer-to-peer learning.

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Eligibility

Who can apply?

• Australian citizens or permanent residents
• enrolled full-time in an undergraduate degree program at ANU and have completed a minimum of 48 units of your undergraduate (single or double) degree
• will be enrolled in second year or beyond when commencing their exchange
• has a minimum cumulative GPA of 5.0
• will not hold or intend to hold another merit based scholarship for the purpose of tertiary study in Asia
• must be applying for exchange in Semester 2 of the following year with ANU Global Programs
• be eligible for or have received approval to undertake a semester long exchange program at an ANU exchange partner university in one of the following locations (pending no travel restrictions):
  • Mainland China
  • Hong Kong
  • Singapore
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Taiwan

How to Apply

Application Process

Students must:

1. Apply for the Westpac Asian Exchange Scholarship to Westpac deadline Monday, 2 December 2024 at 5:00pm AEDT, and
2. apply for a Semester 2 exchange through ANU Global Programs by the deadline Saturday 30 November 2024.

Applications for the Westpac Asian Exchange scholarship are open in October and close in December of each year. 

Once applications close for the Westpac Scholars Trust, they will contact the candidates to complete a video interview. The Westpac Scholars Trust will convene selection panels to determine successful candidates. 

Selection Criteria

Scholarships are open to students from all walks of life, who have the passion, ideas and drive to be an advocate for Australia's relationship with Asia. Westpac Asian Exchange Scholars will demonstrate the following:

• A clear understanding of Asia's role in Australia's future prosperity.
• A passion to learn about a specific Asian culture, language, tradition or business through a combination of academic study and cultural immersion.
• The potential and ambition to contribute to strengthening Australia-Asia in their future endeavours.
• A genuine desire to be an active member of the Westpac 100 Scholars Network.

Outcome

Students who have applied for the Westpac Asian Exchange Scholarship will be notified by Westpac by late February of the outcome of their scholarship application.

Students will also find out the outcome of their exchange application from ANU Global Programs by February.

More questions?

Go to the Westpac Frequently Asked Questions here. 

ANU Student Experiences

Adeline Tinessia, 2018 - Yale-NUS College, Singapore

"The Asian Exchange Scholarship gave me an opportunity to expand my views, my network, and my opportunities to Southeast Asia. It provided me with a chance to be as immersed as possible within the community. During my time, I participated in clubs at my host university, volunteered at a local organisation in Singapore, and then interned in an NGO in Indonesia. I am continuing my work with that NGO even though I am back in Australia.

Importantly, the impact of the scholarship goes beyond the time I spent on exchange. The W100 Scholars Network and the diversity of the scholars' backgrounds, interests, and work have meant that my world views have been greatly expanded. The network has given me mentors who guided me educationally and professionally, and even provided job opportunities. Perhaps more importantly, I have found life-long friends as a result of this scholarship."

Devansh Tiwari, 2018 - Singapore Management University, Singapore

"My Westpac Asia Exchange scholarship experience was truly transformative. It gave me the financial freedom to explore the multicultural melting pot of Singapore, while simultaneously build people-to-people links with leaders who will shape the future of Australia's relationship with Asia."