Pardee Students Reflect on Global Research Opportunities Made Possible by the Keylor Travel Fund
Each year the William R. Keylor Travel Fund sponsors Pardee undergraduate students to help them pursue their international travel endeavors for scholarly purposes. This gives young students an opportunity to experience the world of diplomacy and international relations up close, enriching their research efforts and expanding their worldview.
Established in 2018, the fund honors Professor Emeritus of International Relations and History William Keylor’s many contributions to Boston University and the Pardee School. It was created with an initial contribution from Pardee School Dean’s Advisory Board member Karen Ansara.
This year the William R. Keylor Travel Fund sponsored four Pardee undergraduate students: Daria Romaniuk (BA IR ’26), Jessica Lee (BA Asian Studies ’26), Mia Knezevic (BA IR ’26), and Sophia Sorcigli (BA IR ’26).
For Daria, her immersion in the German language while working with archival materials introduced her to a new appreciation for primary sources, strengthened her own interpretive skills, and deepened her love of language.
“Traveling alone to another country with a specific research purpose in a different language was empowering. Communicating with native speakers in professional contexts required confidence and problem-solving skills that I had not fully developed before this trip. Learning and using another language in such an immersive context placed me on the path of self-discovery, and that did not disappoint: I discovered someone who strives for change and leadership.”
The Keylor Grant brought Jessica to South Korea, where her research focused on the roles, experiences, and resources for women and victims of sexual violence in the country. Here, she visited museums, witnessed political protests, and conducted interviews that offered her lived experiences.
“This travel experience further inspired me to become an empathetic physician, not assuming anyone’s story and emphasizing that humans can be very resilient… I truly appreciate this opportunity to study in Korea and make meaningful progress and connections and look forward to incorporating this travel experience into my thesis and goals.”
Mia traveled to Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, where she investigated the public memory of wartime sexual violence in Bosnian society. Her interviews with curators, NGO leaders, journalists, and researchers shined light on how varying fields have contributed to this memory.
“I believe that I have grown both personally and academically as a result of this travel experience. Personally, this was my first time traveling alone, which was both exciting and slightly nerve-racking, especially when issues such as lost luggage came up. However, I feel like the experience made me more confident in myself and my ability to problem-solve. My Bosnian language skills drastically improved after even just one week, as several of my interviewees felt more comfortable speaking in Bosnian during the interviews.”
Sophia took this opportunity to not only explore how the USSR collapse affected the population in Georgia, but her own familial and cultural ties to the country. She spoke with representatives from both the United Nations House, the European Union Mission, the University of Georgia, and the Rondeli Foundation Think Tank who informed her research and clarified how each organization works and their future potential.
“Overall this trip continued to drive me to ask challenging questions and be okay with the fact that Georgia’s plentiful history, culture, and deep political polarization are still unsolved and the realities of these civilians, as well as our conversations prove the extent to which Georgia remains on the path of development.”
Click on the links below to read the full reflections from the recipients of the 2026 William R. Keylor Travel Fund.