Student Achievements
The Graduate Student Within the Assistantship: Sydney Bunk
November 13, 2025
Sydney Bunk is a master’s student in the Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration program and serves as a Graduate Assistant for Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs in the Padnos International Center. Sydney is passionate about connecting students with study abroad opportunities and promoting events for students across campus. She works closely with faculty, updates the center’s website, assists in Faculty Led Programs, as well as many other tasks she accomplishes on a day-to-day basis.
Faculty Led Programs are 2-8 week long study abroad trips led by one or two Grand Valley professors that take 10-15 students chosen through an application process. Sydney had the opportunity to assist on the Japan Spirituality and the Supernatural Faculty Led Program. She assisted Jeremy Robinson with eight students for a six week long journey through courses of Japanese language and spirituality. The group explored cities such as Kyoto and Tokyo. Sydney co-led excursions and was a contact person for anyone in the group that had questions or concerns. She enjoyed exploring different temples and shrines in Kyoto.
“[Kyoto] was just a very unique city that I haven’t experienced before.” -Sydney Bunk
Sydney’s favorite part of her assistance on the Faculty Led Study Abroad Program was being able to see the progression of students from the beginning of the trip to the end. Students gained in depth experience on Japan’s spiritually and the country’s culture.
Sydney has spent an abundance of her college career with the Padnos International Center as she worked in the office as an undergraduate student as well. She enjoys the supportive environment that the International Center brings. She feels that hearing about students’ passions and where they want to go, as well as their experiences abroad is one of her favorite parts of the job.
After graduation, Sydney wants to pursue higher education and guide students to have amazing experiences in their college journey. She loves talking to people and learning about their individual experiences. Her time in the Padnos International Center has better prepared her for learning many different backgrounds and being able to take that information to help other students on their individual journeys.
The Graduate School wishes Sydney the best of luck on her future!