Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Chou.
Hi Kevin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Kevin Chou and I was raised in Dallas, TX. I grew up in the travel industry—my family was in traditional wholesale consolidation, so I’ve been surrounded by airfare and global logistics for as long as I can remember. While finishing my MBA at SMU, I saw an opportunity to do something different in the space: student travel. It hit me that I never even knew student discounts on flights existed when I was in college—something that could’ve saved me a lot, whether I was studying abroad or flying home to see family.
What started with a small team of just a few has grown into a full U.S.-based team of nearly 20, along with 24/7 call center support based out of the Philippines. Today, we partner with over 50 airlines that offer exclusive student fares and work with universities across the country to manage study abroad travel logistics. ScholarTrip has evolved into a platform that makes travel more accessible for students and young travelers under 35.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Launching a travel company in the middle of the pandemic was definitely not the easiest path. But we believed that once travel restrictions eased, there would be massive pent-up demand—and that proved true. One of the biggest challenges has been navigating the constant uncertainty within the travel industry, especially with a younger audience that may be flying internationally for the first time.
Another ongoing challenge has been raising awareness that student discounts on flights even exist. But our mission—“Explore the world, before you change it”—keeps us focused. We strive to make the travel experience transparent and empowering, helping students book smarter and go further.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about ScholarTrip?
ScholarTrip is an online travel agency that offers exclusive airfare discounts to students and young travelers under 35. We negotiate directly with major airlines to unlock special fares not found on regular booking sites.
But ScholarTrip is about more than just saving money—we believe that education goes beyond the classroom. Travel has the power to break down prejudices, spark curiosity, and shape global citizens. Whether a student is studying abroad, visiting home, or taking a life-changing summer trip, we’re here to make that journey easier and more affordable.
What sets us apart is our focus: we’re built for students. From our proprietary student verification tech to our university partnerships and study abroad solutions, everything we do is designed to simplify travel and maximize value for a younger generation of explorers.
Learn more: https://scholartrip.com/
https://scholartrip.com/about-us
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
As an economics major from UCLA, I’ve always been fascinated by the “why” behind human behavior. I regularly listen to Freakonomics and Planet Money—they do a great job unpacking the logic (and sometimes the illogic) behind decisions across all industries.
For something lighter but still informative, I love Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!—it’s the most entertaining way to stay on top of current events.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://scholartrip.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scholartripusa/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scholartrip
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scholartrip
Image Credits
ScholarTrip
