Cody Eldredge was one of the first SLU students to go on the Shanghai program. Now he is studying at Australian National University for a masters in International Relations and a Master of Diplomacy degree. His interest is in China, but broadly Asia-Pacific security.In an April 2006 email he said,

“I’m still working on my Mandarin here and there. … I wasn’t able to take a Mandarin class. One of my flatmates is Taiwanese though, and he loves listening to me butcher and otherwise elegant and beautiful language. So at least I have plenty of opportunity to practice what I haven’t already lost!”

In a recent update (7-12-2006), he emailed that he has

“been living in Canberra for almost five months now. We just finished Semester 1, and classes begin this coming Monday (no summer vacation in the Southern Hemisphere until October, unfortunately).”

Cody continues to describe some of his travels:

“I’d especially recommend New Zealand. It’s small, inexpensive, and every bit as gorgeous as one would imagine from Lord of the Rings. It also has an enviable record of redressing problems associated with colonization and the oppression of indigenous peoples, which makes it all the more culturally fascinating. This is visible in cultural and political life in New Zealand. It’s a unique blend of traditional Maori culture and modern New Zealand-European culture. Definitely impressive.”

In conclusion, Cody explains that his

“studies have gone well, and I’m happy with my decision to come to Australia to study. I’m enjoying graduate school, though it involves way more detail about one subject than any sane person would ever care to learn. But the program is excellent, I’ve made great new friends, and the time is passing way too quickly.”