Seniors Rachel Andreini, Amelia Espinosa, and Ella Napton all share a goal of becoming English teaching assistants in different countries. Being named semifinalists in the Fulbright scholarship program, their dreams are almost a reality. The U.S. Fulbright scholar program provides grants for individually designed research projects or for English Teaching Assistant Programs held throughout many different countries.
All three students share in the excitement the honor brings. Napton in particular received the news of being selected as a semifinalist while on the treadmill. “I almost fell off out of excitement!” Says Napton. “I still can’t believe it to this day, but I feel so lucky to be a Fulbright Malaysia semi-finalist,” says Napton.
Andreini expresses the challenging but worthwhile experience the Fulbright applicant process has been. “It is equally as difficult as it is fulfilling,” says Andreini. “My ideas and goals were solidified when writing the application. I put my heart on paper. The scrutiny of examination is scary, but the discovery is exhilarating” says Andreini.
Espinosa’s Fulbright application is for an English teaching assistant in Uruguay. “If selected, she would be helping with everything from lesson plans to explaining cultural differences, to taking part in citizen diplomacy and cultural exchange. “Fulbright in Uruguay is unique in that it offers the opportunity to take classes at the local university there and do research on a topic of my interest with a professor,” says Espinosa.