Friday, January 24, 1997
AWARD:
Scholarship will allow Dorian Barag to study law at OxfordBy
Teresa Jun
Daily Bruin Contributor
Honors and a regents scholarship. Studying at Hebrew University
while abroad in Jerusalem. Serving as staff assistant to the late
Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. These are just a few of
Dorian Barag’s numerous accomplishments during his undergraduate
years at UCLA.
To top off his impressive resume, Barag was recently awarded the
1997 British Marshall Scholarship. The scholarship provides an
opportunity for accomplished American students to continue their
studies for two or three years at a British university. Financed by
the British government, the scholarship covers tuition costs,
books, travel and living expenses abroad.
"It is definitely among the top two or three most prestigious
national scholarships that UCLA undergraduate students apply for,"
said Alison Nickerson, director of counseling in Honors
Programs.
"The Marshall emphasizes academic rigor, and also puts much
emphasis on the student’s plans for graduate studies, and how much
the student could benefit from studying in the United Kingdom," she
said.
After graduating from UCLA in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in
political science and voluntarily serving in the Israeli Defense
Forces for one year, Barag came back to the United States in August
of 1996 to complete a rigorous application process for the Marshall
Scholarship. Out of about 800 initial applicants, Barag was among
the 40 who were finally selected to receive the award, according to
Kevin Cook, vice consul at the British Consulate in San
Francisco.
With this scholarship, Barag plans to spend the next few years
at the University of Oxford in England and obtain a British degree
in law. Afterwards, he plans to come back to the United States and
pursue a doctorate in law, with an emphasis on international
affairs.
"Studying in England is just perfect for Dorian because he is
interested in international law," said Bracha Loren, Dorian’s
mother.
"And since British law is the basis for many legal systems
around the world, this is a good opportunity for him," she
added.
This forthcoming travel to England will not be Barag’s first
visit to the United Kingdom. After completing his undergraduate
studies at UCLA two quarters early, Barag travelled throughout
Europe for a few months before coming back for his formal
graduation in June of 1995.
During his undergraduate years at UCLA, Barag spent a quarter in
Washington, D.C., interning for Congressman Tom Lantos. In 1992,
Barag continued his political involvement by volunteering his
energy toward the Clinton campaign.
"Dorian is an extraordinary individual with a superior academic
record as well as a record of commitment to international affairs
and public service," added Nickerson.
Currently, Barag is backpacking through South America,
travelling and exploring the continent. He will be back in April to
prepare for his studies at Oxford University this fall.