Emily Paxson '16 and '17 with William Smeal ’16, who is 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.”

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.”

Thomas Misco, Fulbright Senior Specialist, 2014, Singapore

Dr. Thomas Misco is Professor and Naus Family Faculty Scholar in the College of Education, Health & Society’s Department of Teacher Education.  He was added to the Fulbright Senior Specialist Roster in 2014 and received a Fellowship to reconceptualize and teach a graduate course at the National Institute of Education in Singapore. The Senior Specialist program offers unique flexibility given the commitment range of two to six weeks. This duration, which was mutually beneficial for Dr. Misco and his host, permitted participation and substantive collaboration. Contact Dr. Misco by email for additional information about his Fulbright Senior Specialist experience.