Kathryn Marrin '26 | Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and a minor in Economics  | Travel Course: Thailand and Cambodia | Presidential Fund for Equity Recipient 

A Presidential Equity Fund award helped “Katie” take her Marist education nearly 9,000 miles from home through a faculty-led travel course in Thailand and Cambodia. 

After studying abroad in Florence during her junior year, Katie wanted to continue exploring how culture shapes the way people live and work. In Bangkok, visits to family-owned companies, tours of developments, and talks with entrepreneurs gave the Business Administration major a new perspective on concepts she had studied in the classroom. 

She was particularly struck by the emphasis many Thai business leaders placed on family, hospitality, and work-life balance, and found herself comparing that approach with what she described as the “rat race” of American work culture.. 

The experience abroad influenced what Marrin now wants from her own career: opportunities to advance and learn while remaining connected to the people around her. She also knows faraway international experiences will remain part of her future. 

And, the donors who helped her experience very different cultures also have inspired her to same day pay it forward. 

“I am so thankful for the people who donate to the fund, and I hope I can give back to students one day the way they did for me,” she said.