The Justin Shapiro Travel Scholarship | The Dragon Trip

The Justin Shapiro Internship & Travel Scholarship

Introducing… Our Winner!

“My name is Louise Fiddimore and I am a third year Biosciences student at Durham University. I am thrilled to share that I will be starting an internship in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam as the recipient of the Justin Shapiro Scholarship. It represents such an incredible opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the social, economic, and cultural dynamics which shape the country.

Working in Vietnam will offer a unique opportunity to be part of a fast-growing market and learn from experts in a professional setting. I am eager to make the most of my internship and I am also so grateful to have been awarded a fully funded trip through Thailand and Laos through the Scholarship which will broaden my understanding of South-East Asia. 

I am deeply honoured to have been selected for this award and extend my appreciation to the Justin Shapiro Scholarship committee for providing this remarkable opportunity.”

In honour of our good friend and colleague, The Dragon Trip and CRCC Asia collaborated to launch the Justin Shapiro Internship and Travel Scholarship. The programme allows a young person, who may not otherwise have the opportunity, the chance to work and travel in Southeast Asia.

Justin Shapiro joined The Dragon Trip as CFO in December 2013, and moved on to join CRCC Asia in December 2015. After leaving CRCC Asia, Justin travelled the world for a year before starting his MBA at the University of Austin in Texas over the summer. On 22nd September 2017, Justin was cycling home in Austin when he was hit by a car, and tragically passed away on 28th September.

For many of the Dragon Trip team, Justin was a good friend as well as a colleague, and it will be his personality and nature which will be remembered most. He worked in our Shanghai office, an office where all staff members, both Chinese and foreign, are all working and living away from their hometowns. The team became close during Justin’s time with us, and losing Justin was a painful loss for us – he is missed dearly.

Justin had a passion for travel. He would often recount adventures from his extensive travels, and could liven the party in whichever city he found himself. He also had a professional side, working in a variety of roles in companies in Asia, and speaking fluent Mandarin. We hope that Justin’s legacy can reflect both sides of his personality.

Listen to Will Rowles, C.O.O of The Dragon Trip, talk about our Justin Shapiro Scholarship Programme on Beijing’s Lifestyle Radio.

Internship & Travel Scholarship

Having run for three years – the length of time that Justin was with both The Dragon Trip and CRCC Asia – 2023 marks the final year of the the Justin Shapiro Internship and Travel Scholarship.

Offered to one young person over the age of 18, the lucky recipient of the scholarship will spend one-month gaining life-changing experience at an internship in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, courtesy of CRCC Asia. Following this, they’ll then head on a once-in-a-lifetime 13-day Dragon Trip across Thailand and Laos. As well as the placement and tour, the scholarship also includes accommodation, and travel to the start point of the Dragon Trip.

About the internship:

Over the course of a month, you’ll get a unique opportunity to intern with a company in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It’ll provide you with key work experience in an international environment – a crucial advantage to your professional development. Thanks to CRCC Asia, your scholarship will not only include the work placement but also selection of the following:

  • High-quality, centrally located accommodation.
  • Access to CareerBridge, CRCC Asia’s Professional Development Platform.
  • Welcome Pack (SIM & Travel card included).
  • An orientation weekend, including a city tour and three meals.
  • 24/7 support from on-the-ground staff.
  • A business event, a cultural event, and a community outreach event.
  • And much more!

About the tour:

Once you’ve finished your internship, you’ll then be transferred to Bangkok, Thailand to begin your 13-day tour of Thailand and Laos! You’ll spend the next two weeks exploring with your group, where you’ll take it in the exciting backpacker havens across Thailand and the more rural but fascinating areas across Laos. Among other things, you will:

  • Spend a morning at the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, an ecotourism project set-up by The Karen Hilltribes Trust.
  • Take an amazing jungle trek all the way to a local hill tribe village.
  • Spend an afternoon visiting the magnificent three-tier Kuang Si Falls, located in the Luang Prabang area.
  • Head to the Blue Lagoon, where you can swim in the refreshing waters.

About CRCC Asia:

CRCC Asia was founded with the aim of helping people from all walks of life obtain high-level employment early in their careers, providing award-winning Global Internships across Asia. All these Global Internships allow participants to gain insight into global business culture, meet industry leaders, and build business networks.

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