• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
  • DIVERSITY
  • GIVING
  • INTRANET
  • Nav Social Menu

    Search icon

The Bush School of Government & Public Service

Public Service is a noble calling.

  • ABOUT
    • About The Bush School
    • Meet the Dean
    • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusivity
    • News/Media >
      • Bush School News
      • Bush School in the Media
      • Bush School Podcast
      • Inside The Bush School
      • Social Media
      • Media Information
    • Allen Building
    • Annenberg Conference Center
    • The 41 Award
    • Directory/Contact Info
  • ACADEMICS
    • International Affairs >
      • Bachelor’s in International Studies
      • Master of International Affairs
      • Master of International Policy
      • Bachelor’s/Master’s 5-Year (3+2) Program
      • Master of International Affairs & Public Health (Combined)
    • Political Science >
      • Bachelor’s in Political Science
      • Bachelor’s/Master’s 5-Year (3+2) Program
      • PhD in Political Science
    • Public Service & Administration >
      • Master of Public Service & Administration
      • Executive Master of Public Service & Administration
      • Bachelor’s/Master’s 5-Year (3+2) Program
      • Master of PSAA & Education (Collaborative)
      • Master of PSAA & Public Health (Collaborative)
    • Graduate Certificates >
      • Advanced International Affairs
      • Homeland Security
      • Nonprofit Management
      • Public Management
      • Geospatial Intelligence
      • National Security Affairs
      • Cybersecurity Policy
    • Bush School Online >
      • Executive Master of Public Service & Administration
      • Advanced International Affairs Certificate
      • Homeland Security Certificate
      • Nonprofit Management Certificate
      • Public Management Certificate
      • Geospatial Intelligence
    • Bush School DC >
      • Master of International Policy
      • Master of National Security & Intelligence
      • Graduate Certificate in Advanced International Affairs
  • ADMISSIONS
    • Apply Now!
    • International Affairs
    • Political Science
    • Public Service & Administration
    • Bachelor’s/Master’s 5-Year (3+2) Program
    • Bush School Online >
      • Executive Master of Public Service and Administration
      • Graduate Certificates
    • Bush School DC >
      • Master of International Policy
      • Master of National Security & Intelligence
    • Funding & Cost >
      • International Affairs
      • Political Science
      • Public Service & Administration
      • Bachelor’s/Master’s 5-Year (3+2) Program
      • Graduate Certificates
    • Undergraduate Advising
  • FACULTY
    • Faculty Directory >
      • Full-Time Faculty Directory
      • INTA Faculty Directory
      • POLS Faculty Directory
      • PSAA Faculty Directory
      • DC Faculty Directory
      • Research Directory
    • Faculty Research >
      • Research Overview
      • Capstone Projects
      • Institute for Science, Technology and Public Policy
      • Mosbacher Institute for Trade, Economics, and Public Policy
      • Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs
      • Albritton Center for Grand Strategy
    • Faculty Experts
    • Faculty Spotlights
  • RESEARCH
    • Institutes >
      • Institute for Science, Technology and Public Policy
      • Mosbacher Institute for Trade, Economics, and Public Policy
      • Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs
    • Centers >
      • European Union Center
      • Albritton Center for Grand Strategy
      • Center for Nonprofits and Philanthropy
    • Programs >
      • Intelligence Studies Program
      • Program on Women, Peace, and Security
      • Middle East Program
      • Program on Cyber Policy, Strategy, and Security
      • Economic Statecraft Program
    • Faculty Research
    • Student Research >
      • INTA Capstone Projects
      • PSAA Capstone Projects
      • PSAA Mini Capstone Projects
  • STUDENTS
    • Prospective Students
    • Current Undergrad Students >
      • Undergraduate Advising
      • Honors & Thesis Program
      • Student Resources
    • Current Master’s Students >
      • Capstone Projects
      • Public Service Leadership Program
      • Student Organizations
      • Leadership Development
      • Medal of Excellence
    • Current PhD Students >
      • Hire a Bush School PhD
      • Student Resources
    • Alumni
    • Career Services >
      • Employment Statistics
      • Internship Information
      • Career Search Info
      • Employers
      • Hire a Bush School PhD
      • FAQ
    • Student Spotlights
  • EVENTS
    • Upcoming Events
    • Annenberg Conference Center
    • Directions & Parking Info
    • Recruitment Events
    • News/Media
  • DC SITE
    • About Bush School DC
    • Academic Programs
    • Admissions
    • Career Services
    • News
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Staff/Contact Info
International Affairs

January 24, 2017

Profile in Service: Bryce Barros

The Bush School - white background

When Bryce Barros passed through the sliding doors of the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University in fall 2015, his entrance was seven years in the making.

“I knew I wanted to go to the Bush School since I was a freshman [in college],” Barros said. “I had a close friend that told me about the quality of the program and its affordability, and the institution that is Aggieland makes it a real bang for the buck.”

A Connecticut native, Barros attended Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont. There, he was a member of the Norwich University Corps of Cadets and began studying Mandarin Chinese after spending the better half of his childhood learning Japanese. Because the University did not offer a Japanese language program, Barros was faced with a change.

“Up to that point I was set on being a Japan Hand. I loved the Japanese language, culture, and people and had a very Japan-centric view,” Barros said. “I thought learning any other Asian language was beneath me.”

As his focused shifted, Barros received scholarships from the U.S. Department of Defense to study in China before receiving a Boren Scholarship to study in Taiwan, the Republic of China. Named for former Oklahoma Senator David L. Boren, the highly competitive Boren Scholarships are offered to undergraduate students to study language in regions of the world critical to US interests and security. He elected to study in Taiwan because of the island’s rich history and culture and because of opportunities presented by a Norwich exchange program with the Taiwan Army through the Republic of China Military Academy.

“I knew that no other American, not even active duty military personnel, would have the opportunity to be embedded with a foreign military so critical to shaping American foreign policy,” Barros said. “I knew that the opportunity would provide real hands-on exposure to diplomacy and military affairs that would set me apart from my peers. The experience was far more than I could have hoped for.”

Upon graduating from Norwich in 2012, Barros returned to Taiwan to further his expertise prior to entering the field of US foreign policy. He continued his study of Mandarin and Chinese culture and began freelancing for a magazine covering green energy development in the south region of Asia. Barros developed an affinity for the island nation, with its low cost of living and geographic location.

“I came to really like Taiwan. I call it the best kept secret of the Asia-Pacific. It’s cheap to live, the people are very nice, and it’s tropical. It’s a complete 180 degree experience from what I had in China,” Barros said. He also traveled to Southeast Asia extensively while living in Taipei, gaining a broader political and cultural knowledge of the region.

“In Taiwan, I got to see diplomacy up close and personal. [The] experience prepared me for work in the Foreign Service and larger defense community,” Barros said.

It was also in Taiwan that Barros met a group of Bush School students that re-introduced him to the Bush School. There, he met a recent A&M graduate who introduced him to current Bush School students and graduates who increased his understanding of the School’s curriculum and mission. From these testimonials, Barros made a decision to apply.

“I knew I didn’t want to go back to Connecticut, and I wanted to see more of this large country of ours,” Barros said. “As a Northeasterner, I have a natural aversion to anything not on the West and East Coasts. So I figured I’d go to Aggieland, make a bit of that Texan industrious spirit my own, and try the “Third Coast” on for a ride.

Upon enrolling at the Bush School in fall 2015, Barros quickly took to the School’s familial nature and emphasis on public service as well as feeling a connection between himself and the School’s namesake, George H. W. Bush.

“The Bush family is originally from my home county in Connecticut, Fairfield County,” said Barros. “That connection and their story as New Englanders that came to Texas to make something really resonates with me.”

Barros has credited the Bush School with developing his analytical abilities and critical thinking skills, a skill set he believes will be indispensable in his future career endeavors. 

“The Bush School taught me how to cherish dispassionate analysis and cut the wheat from the chaff on various issues affecting us locally, nationally, and internationally,” Barros said.

Being one to fully immerse himself in his surroundings, Barros is involved in a range of activities at the Bush School and on the main campus of Texas A&M University. He works as a graduate research assistant and participates in the activities of the Bush School Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Last year, Barros took part in the Annual Student Conference on Latin Affairs (SCOLA) and, being conversational in Chinese, he performed a comedy routine in his second language at the Chinese Student and Scholar Association’s Chinese New Year Gala last February.

A condition of his Boren Scholarship requires Barros to work within the federal government for at least one year. As he looks toward graduation in May, he wants to fulfill this requirement either within Texas or back on his home coast.

“I hope to help advance American interests in whichever way I decide to fulfill my Boren Scholarship federal service requirement,” Barros said, adding “I truly miss the Northeast and cannot wait to get back home. But I will miss Texas as well and intend to wear cowboy boots wherever I go.”

Category: INTA News

Primary Sidebar

INTA Links

INTA Home
  • Overview
  • Bachelor's in International Studies
  • Master of International Affairs
  • Master of International Policy
  • Bachelor’s/Master’s 5-Year (3+2) Program
  • Master of International Affairs & Public Health (Combined)
Graduate Certificates
  • Faculty Directory
  • Part-Time Faculty Directory
  • Research Directory
  • Research
Capstone Projects Internships & Immersions International Opportunities Public Service Leadership Program Career Services
  • Admissions
  • Funding & Cost
  • Undergraduate Advising
  • Undergraduate Advising
  • Student Organizations
  • Student Resources
  • 2022-23 Student Handbook
News Contact

Apply Now!
Request Info

INTA Capstone Projects

Facebook LogoTwitter LogoInstagram Logo

Footer

Bush School Logo
College Station  |  Online  |  Washington, DC
CS Map  |  DC Map  |  Directory
CS Phone: 979-862-3469
DC Phone: 202-773-0001


ACADEMICS

• International Affairs
• Political Science
• Public Service & Admin
• Graduate Certificates
• Bush School Online
• Bush School DC


FACULTY

• INTA Faculty Directory
• POLS Faculty Directory
• PSAA Faculty Directory
• DC Faculty Directory
• Faculty Research
• Faculty Spotlights


STUDENTS

• Prospective Students
• Current Students
• Alumni
• Employment Statistics
• Hire a PhD
• Career Services


RESEARCH

• ISTPP
• Mosbacher Institute
• Scowcroft Institute
• European Union Center
• CGS
• Center for Nonprofits


Facebook LogoTwitter LogoInstagram LogoYouTube LogoLinkedin LogoSoundCloud Logo
©2022 The Bush School of Government and Public Service · Texas A&M University

State of Texas · State Links & Policies · Link Policy
Privacy & Security Policy · Accessibility Policy · Intranet
Stop Hate Button

Click here to visit the George & Barbara Bush Foundation Click here to visit the Texas A&M University website, tamu.edu Click here to make a donation to Texas A&M through the Texas A&M Foundation Click here to visit the George H.W. Bush Library website, bush41.org

Click here to visit the APSIA website Click here to visit the AmeriCorps website Click here to visit the NASPAA website