Alexandra Fair, University of Reading Postgraduate Award (2019/2020)

Majors: Integrated Social Studies Education

"My Fulbright year gave me the invaluable opportunity to pursue research questions and build connections with British scholars and archivists that wouldnt have otherwise been available to me. The chance to immerse myself in British culture exposed me to new perspectives and expanded my sense of what is possible for my future. During my time in the U.K. I developed an interest in science communications and how these ideas inform scientific policies.

As I now pursue a PhD in African American Studies at Harvard University, these interests motivated me to simultaneously pursue a Master’s degree in History of Science. Examining science policy in two different countries has the potential to illuminate how culture, political concerns, funding structure and a range of other factors affect the use of science in society. During this degree I hope to be able to return to the U.K. and continue to develop the friendships and research that I began during my Fulbright year."

Ryan Martini with his Indonesian students

Majors: Math Education and American Literature

“My experience volunteering as an English Teaching Assistant in Indonesia taught me a great deal about who I am as a person, but even more so, who I am as a teacher. It goes without saying that compassion for your students is the key to helping them become the very best they can be. I was asked numerous times by both Indonesians and family back home, 'what is the difference between Indonesian and US schools?' I often deflected this question by answering a question that I found to be more important: 'what is similar between Indonesian and US schools?' And my answer was always, 'kids are kids, and they deserve the very best we as teachers can give them.' It doesn't matter where you teach in the world, you're going to have the high achievers and the mischief-makers; but, they each deserve your compassion. So if you treat each and every student as if they were your own child, offering them the very best of you each time you walk into a classroom, it doesn't matter where or what you teach - you'll be the perfect teacher for your students.”

Jon Meyer chats with another Fulbright ETA in Hannover, Germany

Majors: International Studies and German

“Adjusting to my Fulbright experience in Germany was relatively simple, due to previous travel and my study of the German language from age 14 onward. I worked as an English Teaching Assistant in Hannover for 10 months in 2016-2017 at a career school called BBS-ME Otto Brenner Schule. At that time, it was my longest residency in another country.

But after Fulbright, I joined the Peace Corps and spent 27 months in Kyrgyzstan. I discovered that my Fulbright experience made it easier for me to learn Kyrgyz and Turkish and to adjust to life in another country.

And from there, my interest in interacting with other cultures has really taken off. I am currently a first-year MA student at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) concentrating in Conflict Management and International Economics. My goal is to eventually join the Foreign Service as a Political Officer at the State Department, but in the meantime I hope to work in the State Department's civil service or at a think tank in the DC area.”

Emily Paxson '16 and '17 with William Smeal ’16, who was also a Fulbright ETA in Bulgaria

Majors: International Studies and German

It is an honor to be associated with a program that has inspired so many to embark on a journey that started with the vision of one man, Senator J. William Fulbright. As a Fulbrighter, I am humbled that I have been given this overwhelmingly wonderful opportunity to live his vision. As I embark on my second year, I am in awe of the unique experience I have been given which has allowed me to gain reverence and awareness of the world. I am grateful for the opportunity to interact, learn and share with the people of Bulgaria. After ten months, the warm embrace of the quaint town of Lovech and its people have made it feel like home. To be able to immerse myself in another culture that has allowed me to thrive with overwhelming comfort fosters hope for the future. I have developed friendships that will live on past my Fulbright experience and provide an avenue for continued cultural exchange. For me it is about people who respect other nations and their culture. It is about leaving the limitations of your comfort zone in order to gain necessary alternate perspectives. Beyond my Fulbright experience, I look forward to continuing to apply the purpose of the Fulbright program throughout my career—and that is to “to bring a little more knowledge, a little more reason, and a little more compassion into world affairs and thereby to increase the chance that nations will learn at last to live in peace and friendship.”