The scholarships are CRCC Asia’s pledge to the UK-wide UUKi-run Go International: Stand Out campaign, which aims to double the percentage of UK undergraduates who study, work, or volunteer abroad to 13% by the end of 2020.

“We want to wash away social misconceptions”

CRCC Asia will provide five funded places for students from underrepresented groups to participate in a one-month international internship program in either China, Japan, Vietnam or South Korea.

The program will be open to BAME students, care leavers, students with disabilities, women studying STEM subjects and those from Jewish communities, and the scholarship program will officially open for student applications in October 2019.

The scholarships include pre-departure support, accommodation, a work placement in one of 14 sectors and a variety of cultural, social and business events. Return airfare will also be provided by CRCC Asia’s flight partners, StudentUniverse.

Director of Global Initiatives for CRCC Asia Dominic Palazzolo said the partnership has highlighted a significant gap within the industry and aim to provide access to underrepresented groups.

“In partnership with UUKi, and in the spirit of the Go International: Stand Out campaign, it is our commitment to open the door and provide access to all. We have highlighted a significant gap within the industry and aim to provide access to underrepresented groups,” he said.

“We want to wash away social misconceptions that ‘because one comes from an underrepresented group that they simply can not take part in these opportunities’. The door is open to all and you are welcome.”

Director of UUKi Vivienne Stern also expressed delight that CRCC Asia had joined the Go International: Stand Out campaign.

“Our research shows that students from disadvantaged backgrounds and underrepresented groups have the most to gain from studying, working or volunteering abroad in both their subsequent academic and employment outcomes,” Stern said.

“We look forward to hearing about the life-changing experiences that the scholarship students have in Asia.”

CRCC Asia currently operates in the UK, China, Japan, Vietnam and South Korea and the company has plans to launch a new location in 2020.