A maiden voyage

Having never before ventured beyond U.S. borders, Chris Byrnes ’26 recently set off on the journey of a lifetime: two semesters in East Asia. The government and law and Asian studies double major earned a Freeman Award for Study in Asia, which is helping to fund his current spring semester abroad.

And, thanks to being named as the College’s first recipient of the Voyager Scholarship, the Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service, he’ll be able to extend the trip and spend his summer there.

As one of 100 students from 44 states and territories to be named a Voyager in 2024, Byrnes will receive $10,000 (and an additional $4,200 from Airbnb to cover the cost of living) for his East Asian travels, as well as up to $50,000 in “last dollar” financial aid across his junior and senior years at Lafayette.

The benefits extend beyond his time in college, as he’ll also receive $2,000 per year toward Airbnb for the next 10 years after graduation to continue his travel experiences and learning.

“I’m excited to immerse myself in another culture, interact with new people, and see the world from a perspective other than my own,” Byrnes says, adding that he’s grateful to expand his horizons. “That’s how I want to characterize my life and my work.” Here’s how he’s charting out his big trip—and his future.

Give us a glimpse into your itinerary.

In addition to taking intensive Korean courses at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, I’ll be conducting field research for my thesis there and in Okinawa, Japan. That will involve visiting American military bases to interview U.S. and local military officials, think tank personnel, and anti-base activists to collect data. My thesis will analyze how America’s commitment to its alliances overseas affects the political frames held by the U.S., Korean, and Japanese governments and anti-basers.

None of this would be possible without the support of Lafayette’s professors and alumni network. Government and law professor Seo-Hyun Park, my thesis adviser, helped me conceptualize my summer research project—some of the ideas were inspired by Park’s book, Sovereignty and Status in East Asian International Relations. Brandon Cochenour ’03, a science director at the Office of Naval Research Global in Tokyo, also helped me establish U.S. Embassy connections in Seoul that were integral to travel plans.

What is your personal connection to the region?

My father served as a Marine, and I’ll be visiting the same places he was stationed some 40 years ago. I remember him showing me photos and telling stories about his time in South Korea and Okinawa when I was a kid. It will be interesting to walk in his footsteps—in a different capacity—and see how things have transformed since then.

How has research led you up to this point?

I’ve worked with Andrew Clarke, assistant professor of government and law, in his Gov Lab researching evidence-based policymaking, and I’ve co-written a research paper with him about bipartisan Congressional factions. I’ve done experimental research with Dylan Groves, assistant professor of government and law, measuring the political attitudes of college students in Tanzania, and I was a research assistant for Daniel Markovits ’20, a Ph.D. student in Columbia University’s department of political science.

Many of the topics I’ve studied have realworld impacts, and all these experiences— in both one-on-one and bigger group settings—have encouraged me to think more about evidence-based policymaking and a career in public service.

What campus experiences have helped fine-tune your world outlook?

As a McKelvy Scholar, I’ve engaged in discourse with peers on various issues, which has advanced my passion for public service. The McKelvy House is a space where, through regular discussions, we can express our views while also being challenged. Additionally, I’m the co-director of Lafayette Votes, of which I’ve been a member since 2023, helping campus community members complete the voter registration process. I’ve also become active in nationwide voter turnout efforts through the nonprofit Every Vote Counts. All of this has taught me how to navigate situations in a civil, mature, and intellectual way, and to view the world from different perspectives. Those skills are going to be crucial to my studies overseas.

You’re also the College’s first Marquis de Lafayette Fellow in Special Collections and College Archives. What did that project mean to you?

I worked on the Marquis de Lafayette collection for three years. I combed through hundreds of artifacts that date back to his return tour and about 300 original letters he wrote to various individuals, including George Washington. Diving into this piece of College and U.S. history showed me the significance of ordinary people’s voices. That’s something I’m going to take with me abroad.

You also visited the White House in November 2024. What was that like?

Amazing. Professor of Sociology Caroline Lee was invited as a panelist to discuss her research, and I tagged along. It was so informative being able to have conversations with other student voter activists.

What goals do you have for the years ahead?

I want to be a public servant in the U.S. government, perhaps in international security. I’m considering Washington, D.C., after Lafayette, whether I’m working or going to graduate school. I hope to use research that takes the perspective of ordinary people to change policies, and inspire a more holistic approach to international politics and foreign policy.