Recent graduate Travis Sunderland '10 will study chemistry and work in Germany for a year as the recipient of an elite scholarship funded by the U.S. Congress and the German parliament, Bundestag.

Sunderland, from Andover, Minn., is one of only 75 American students chosen from a pool of 630 applicants. A similar number of German students will study in the U.S.

Sunderland's selection to the Congress-Bundestag exchange came from his need to complete the core curriculum. Because of his intense involvement in science, he only had time his senior year to complete the minimum language requirement. Yet he made a big impression on the German faculty with his serious approach to language studies.

"Travis is a dedicated, motivated student," says Madelyn Burchill, assistant professor of German, who suggested Sunderland apply for the prestigious scholarship. "His selection into this program is a testament to the liberal arts. It shows how students can incorporate language with their career interests and skills."

Burchill says the Congress-Bundestag exchange is an opportunity presented to Sunderland because of his obvious academic ability.

"But beyond that, it shows that our core curriculum and liberal arts connections open doors for students," she says.

Sunderland thinks he may risk pursuing a different career during his time in Germany, a possibility he never imagined a few months ago.

He received his degree in ACS chemistry, meaning his major is certified by the American Chemical Society and conforms to national standards for students preparing for graduate school. He has been accepted to the University of Wisconsin - Madison to prepare for what he thought would lead to a career as a college chemistry professor.

But the possibility of interning at German chemical giants such as Merck, Bayer and BASF has him thinking about other options.   

"I might wind up living in Germany working in research or doing something else internationally," says Sunderland. "I'd be fine with that. It's an intriguing possibility and this year will be a good test to see if I can handle it."

Dr. Donald Krogstad, associate professor of chemistry, believes Sunderland can handle whatever is thrown at him. They worked side-by-side on a complex research project for several semesters and three summers, beginning after Sunderland's freshman year.

Their research revolved around green chemistry, an attempt to create environmentally friendly catalysts that are water-soluble. They presented their findings at the ACS national meeting in 2008 and published a manuscript a year later.

"Travis was the most diligent, positive and productive of all the scientists in our group," Krogstad says.

To balance all of his activities, Sunderland developed good time management skills. He was an offensive lineman on the Cobber football team for three seasons while carrying a heavy load of science labs and doing research with Krogstad. 

When Sunderland arrives in Germany, he will take a two-month intensive language class, followed by four months at a German university studying chemistry. He'll then spend the remainder of the year working at a research institute or one of those chemical giants.

"I'm excited about this," he says. "Being immersed in the German culture for a year and working there is an incredible opportunity."

Now in its 27th year, the Congress-Bundestag program intends to strengthen ties between the U.S. and Germany by promoting positive connections between the citizens of the two countries. 

"I agree that living in a country is the best way to understand people," says Sunderland. "In my case, I'll also get to see how German universities and industry work. I plan on being a good ambassador for the United States and hope to represent my country well."