A University of Wisconsin student studying abroad through the Semester at Sea program was killed in Hong Kong on the morning of Nov. 7.
Kurt Leswing, 21, was struck and killed by a motor vehicle while traveling in Hong Kong, according to a release from the Institute for Shipboard Education.
The release also said Hong Kong authorities indicated the driver of the vehicle was intoxicated and arrested at the scene.
Leswing, originally from Milwaukee, was a UW senior majoring in business.
ISE reported Leswing is survived by his parents, who live in Milwaukee, and twin brother, Tait.
The Semester at Sea program is academically sponsored through the University of Virginia and sends students on a 15-week voyage that circumnavigates the globe, typically stopping in Africa, India, East Asia and Latin America.
Lauren Heinz, spokesperson for Semester at Sea, said 679 students from universities across the country are enrolled this semester, 12 of whom are from UW, including Leswing.
Heinz said parents of all current Semester at Sea participants were notified of Leswing’s death, adding the number of responses from families offering support for the Leswing family was “truly moving.”
“I think everyone has pulled together at SAS because there’s a small community on the ship — everyone knows one another — and all students, faculty and staff have all pulled together to support one another,” Heinz said.
UW Dean of Students Lori Berquam said her office heard of the incident Friday morning, calling Leswing’s death “incredibly tragic and sad for the family and for friends.”
Berquam said one of the hardest parts of the situation was that “this young man was off doing amazing things in this study abroad program.”
She added UW will assist the Leswing family in any way they need, and any UW students seeking support are encouraged to stop by the Offices of the Dean of Students or University Health Services Counseling Center.
ISE said students on the voyage, who will be leaving Shanghai, China on Tuesday, are being offered support and counseling and a shipboard commemoration is being planned.
Heinz said in lieu of flowers, Leswing’s family has requested donations be made in Kurt’s name to Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee.
