From saxophone to national security
Shane Neirinckx of Coeur d’Alene had no degree plans when he enrolled at U of I, but a few professors helped him focus on his interests which led to study at Hiroshima University in Japan on a Boren Scholarship and prepared him to work at the federal government after graduation.
Photo courtesy Shane Neirinckx
Shane Neirinckx’s year-long experience at Hiroshima taught him nuances of Japanese and Asian culture he hadn’t understood as a student in a Moscow classroom.
Shane Silas Neirinckx is guided by a simple philosophy: It doesn’t matter what you do — do it as hard as you can. Passion will follow and your circuitous path will be made straight.
Five years ago, as a high school student, the Coeur d’Alene senior had no notion that he would travel to Japan, learn the language, attend university there as a U of I student on a Boren scholarship and be employed in a national security field. But in fall 2025 Neirinckx will graduate with degrees in International Studies and Political Science and a minor in Asian studies.
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