Fulbright US Student Program

I am currently studying Public-Global Health at UW and also pursuing a writing minor. Research has become an integral part of my life which drove me to apply for the Fulbright scholarship. As an Indian American, I believe my Fulbright journey will provide me an incredible experience where I will be able to not only conduct my own research but also explore my Indian roots. The skills and knowledge that I gain from Fulbright will continue to remain applicable as I pursue my career goals of becoming a physician researcher. Aside from school, I love baking, playing basketball, taking pictures, and watching CUT videos!

Neha’s near and long-term goals: I plan on applying to medical school this year to pursue my medical degree along with an MPH to continue my health equity research on a global scale. Additionally, I hope to one day work for CNN to be a medical correspondent and help bridge the disconnect between the general public and scientific community.

Neha’s tips for future applicants: Talk to Emily and Robin!!!! I had weekly and even biweekly meetings with Emily since April to prepare for this app. Also, be open and flexible to change as you work through your proposal and don’t be afraid to ask for help from peers, professors, and mentors!

I am an undergraduate student majoring in international studies with a focus in human rights as well as triple-minoring in Spanish, Portuguese, and Hellenic Studies. I currently am spending my time working for Teen Feed a local non profit that serves homeless youth and as a legislative intern for the Alliance for Gun Responsibility. I have always loved language learning. Teaching and tutoring English is an act that brings me great joy and I feel honored to be chosen as a Fulbright Semi-finalist for the Brazilian ETA program.

Sophia’s near and long-term goals: Currently, I am set to graduate this winter and will continue on working with both Teen Feed and the Alliance for Gun Responsibility.

Sophia’s tips for future applicants: It can be a tricky application but don’t be discouraged! It will take many drafts but it is absolutely doable. Also, Emily is so helpful!

I am a recent International Studies and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations graduate with a minor in European Studies. During my time as an undergraduate, I was fortunate to have the ability to study Arabic, Persian, German, and Spanish, as well as complete an honors thesis on the influence of migration and multicultural identities on rap and hip-hop in Germany and the UK. I am currently an English language teaching assistant in Seville, Spain, with the Auxiliares de Conversación program administered by the Spanish Ministry of Education, as well as volunteer English tutor at a migration nonprofit. I hope to continue my language training and research on integration and multiculturalism within migrant communities in Europe, using an interdisciplinary approach that blends humanities with the social sciences at Oxford or London School of Economics.

I draw my urgency from the rise of political regimes on both sides of the Atlantic that have tried, with terrifying success, to unravel long-standing immigration, asylum and refugee laws. As many politicians threaten the future of migration and declare multiculturalism as a policy failure, it is now more important than ever to understand the unique identities 1st and 2nd generation migrants to Europe. I feel a deep sense of responsibility as an American to use my voice and my knowledge to help reframe the question of migration, not as an external problem, but as an internal, humanitarian problem.

Kayla’s near and long-term goals: After my time in Spain, I hope to either continue my English teaching assistantship experience in Germany as a Fulbright awardee or start graduate school. I’m currently in the process of applying to several different graduate programs both in the US and in Europe that would allow me to continue my passion for studying languages and my research on multiculturalism within migrant communities in Europe.

Kayla’s tips for future applicants: Start early and use your network of professors, advisors, and friends, they are all eager to help you! Don’t get discouraged by being “behind” on applications and most importantly—don’t self sabotage!

Simon Tran is a storyteller, actor and cultural producer who identifies as a proud first-generation Vietnamese American. The son of Vietnamese refugees, Simon learned his family’s story of escaping Vietnam while in college, which directed him on a path to amplify the complex and oftentimes hidden narratives of and within the Vietnamese community.

As a student, Simon studied Drama Performance and the Comparative History of Ideas with a minor in Diversity, fusing his passion of live performance with his hunger for challenging and re-envisioning complex ideas, structures, and perspectives. While at the University of Washington, Simon co-founded a social justice sketch comedy group, studied memory, political violence, and art politics in Lima, Peru, traveled to the U.S. South to learn about the Civil Rights movement, and authored a senior thesis on intergenerational and interracial relationships in the LGBTQIA+ community as a Mary Gates Scholar. After college, Simon moved to Chicago and produced community-driven events at WBEZ (Chicago’s local NPR station), The Moth, and ProPublica. He also participated in the Community Leaderships Corps program through the Obama Foundation. As a performer, he’s told stories and performed improv comedy across Chicago.

As a Fulbright Scholar, Simon will work as an English Teaching Assistant in Vietnam, applying his theatre, public radio, and community-centered pedagogy to embolden and equip young students to use English as a tool for self-expression, reflection, and community building. Simon hopes to gain proficiency in Vietnamese during his time in Vietnam, as well as the opportunity to produce creative programming and events that give young students and underrepresented communities new experiences and perspectives for them to thrive in their personal and professional futures. After his Fulbright year, Simon plans to continue to support the intersection of community-building, storytelling, and social change directly in Vietnamese American and BIPOC communities.

Simon’s near and long-term goals: My near-term goals are to become proficient in Vietnamese, gain more experience as a teaching artist, and continue to produce Asian American stories on a local level. My long term-goals are to pursue a graduate degree in the arts/non-profit/humanities, produce Asian American stories on a national level, and create a collective/non-profit that focuses on empowering and equipping young artists of color.

Simon’s tips for future applicants: Your story is your most important weapon. How are you articulating it? How have you reflected on it? How are you using it to strengthen not only your application but your purpose? Knowing your story better helps others understand who you are better. And when it comes to actually writing your essays, make sure to be open throughout the process. If you’re smart, you’ll ask for feedback on it from many people. You’ll get so many edits and it’ll be really frustrating at times! But you don’t have much room to convey your story, so be sure to really think about what is most important in the space given to you. Sometimes that means getting over your own ego.

I am a recent UW grad who double majored in Education, Communities & Organizations and International Studies with a minor in Asian Languages and Cultures. I am also a first generation Mexican-American who grew up in Yakima, WA. While studying at the University of Washington, I became aware of the benefits of multiculturalism and multilingualism that exist within communities and sought opportunities to improve my language skills. My bilingualism not only nurtured but fueled my passion for language learning. Now I am a polyglot who speaks fluent English and Spanish and conversational French and Korean.

While studying French in high school, I had the wonderful opportunity to study abroad in France for two weeks which ignited my drive for cross-culture experiences. And two years ago, after studying abroad in South Korea for 6-weeks, I discovered some similarities between Korean culture and my hybrid Mexican-American identity and decided I wanted to pursue proficiency in Korean. This in combination with my interest in education, specifically multicultural and multilingual education, led me to apply for the Fulbright Program.

Interning for the past year at OneWorldNow!, a non-profit after school program for youths based in Seattle, showed me that working for organizations that provide under-represented youths with accessible language learning and study abroad opportunities is something I would like to continue to do in the future. In the meantime, as a South Korea ETA I want to build on my experience as an educator as well as improve my proficiency in Korean.

I recently completed a year abroad studying Russian Language and Eastern European Studies in Daugavpils, Latvia as a Boren Scholar for the 2019-2020 cycle. My time as an undergraduate student at the University of Washington has been shaped by my interest in Eurasian studies, specifically Russia and its reemergence as an influential global power. With my mentor Dr. Jessica Beyer, I worked on two projects for Microsoft with a team of other undergraduates and, as a Mary Gates Scholar, I conducted independent research on disinformation. In addition to research, my interests led me to study Russian language and to attain proficiency in Russian through course work at the University of Washington, a summer in Moscow as a FLAS Scholar, and my recent experience in Latvia as a Boren Scholar. As Fulbright Scholar, I will spend nine months in Moldova conducting research on the effects of disinformation and misinformation on opinions towards Moldova’s integration in the European Union and Eurasian Economic Union. Upon completion of my project in Moldova, I plan to pursue a masters in Eurasian Studies with a focus on the Russian Federation’s interaction with other post-Soviet countries. After completing a masters, I want to become an FSO to use my strong command of the Russian and French languages, my culturally immersive experiences in post-Soviet countries, and my deep knowledge of Eurasian studies to implement realistic policy that incorporates not only economic concerns but also historical, cultural, and religious factors.

Conor’s tip: I think the two most important things are to get your recommenders involved early on in the process and to ask yourself why you would like to do a Fulbright. Around January, I began thinking about which country I would want to go. I chose to apply for a Fulbright to explore topics I had been exposed to through course work and research at the UW. I knew that a Fulbright would be an excellent why to explore these topics further through research while I also improved my Russian language and cross-cultural skills. This interest in my proposed research project made it much easier to write my materials and make a strong argument.

Joshua is a recent graduate of the Atmospheric Science department. While at the University of Washington, they were awarded a Mary Gates Undergraduate Research Scholarship and a Washington NASA Space Grant, and held an internship position at the National Center for Atmospheric Research. Joshua is currently applying to PhD programs that utilize big data and machine learning to solve environmental and economic problems.

Joshua’s tips: Start writing and getting feedback on your application early, focus on a different portion of your application or a different essay each week, and go to the Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships & Awards information sessions and workshops!

I graduated from UW in 2016 and am currently in process of applying to graduate schools for counseling! I applied for a Fulbright ETA in Thailand because teaching is something that is meaningful to me and Thailand is a place that is close to my heart.

Priscilla’s tip: In any application, I think allowing your real self to shine through is important. Write your personal statement to share your story and experiences.

Dani hails from Pebble Beach, CA where she grew up learning to love hiking through the beautiful California terrain. She chose UW to find a new challenge for herself, but knew throughout the process how she wanted to study Biology. Biology brought comfort and satisfied her curiosity for the world while the Interdisciplinary Honors program allowed her to expand her knowledge base and make lifelong friends in the process. She also studied abroad in Tanzania, one of her favorite experiences, which intrigued her to the world of ecotourism and community versus government aid. She would like to pursue a career surrounding studying and working in Disaster Relief and is currently working in Fremont.

Danielle’s tip: Reach out! I reached out to people who applied and got in to the country I applied for- both on linkedIn and in real life- and it was so helpful to talk through the process.

Miles is a designer and craftsman living on occupied Coast Salish and Duwamish land. Miles leverages his skillset in product design, woodcraft, and design research to develop tangible solutions that empower people to reconnect with our natural world. His professional experience has shown him that our pursuit of short-sighted “progress” often endangers our future descendants’ wellbeing. This understanding has driven his deep dive into sustainable methods of traditional design and craft that are rapidly being forgotten.

After graduating from the UW Divison of Design, Miles worked with the Industrial Designers Society of America and led the production of a film shining light upon empowering design for an international design conference. In 2015, his team received an International Design Excellence Award for their work on the Naloxone Drug Overdose Rescue Kit. Between 2015 and 2017, Miles worked with Yoshihara Furniture Company to design and craft heirloom furniture for private, residential, and commercial clients. This work honed skills in computer-aided design, manufacturing, and wood technology while expanding his focus beyond form and function to sustainable and regenerative production methods. At the Taoist Studies Institute, Miles assisted with the design and build of architectural features on their 30-acre forested campus. There he began to learn about lineages of traditional design and craft that ingeniously address issues of ecology and sustainability.

As a Fulbright Fellow, Miles is researching the indigenous innovations and modernization of traditional Korean residential architecture, design, and craft. Korean homes, known as Hanok (“Hahn-oak”), build in harmony with nature to develop sustainable structures that promote the wellbeing of inhabitants and surrounding land. A deep well of knowledge has been developed through the craft of Hanok but lacks representation and utilization in the international community. Miles will critically investigate the craft techniques and design thinking of modern Hanok while learning about natural materials and sustainable production ecosystems. Leading experts at the National University of Cultural Heritage in Buyeo, South Korea, and architecture firm Urban Detail in Seoul, South Korea, are supporting and overseeing this research.

Miles’ tips: Focus upon answering the “why” as soon as possible, then drill down on the logistics of “how.” The true value of the proposal will be obvious if you begin with an honest evaluation of communal benefit and personal enrichment. This will demonstrate your genuine intent to the people and organizations that will make the “how” possible. Next, forget “never” or “impossible.” You will inevitably encounter discouraging or disinterested parties, sidestep them and find the people and organizations who will empower the proposal. Still encountering issues? Hit the ground running and travel to the host country and meet face to face. Demonstrate your passion and respectful diplomacy. This will show your dedication and determine if there is a good fit for all parties involved. If you make every effort to remove as much doubt from the proposal as possible, you will have no regret or wonder about whether you did enough to craft the strongest application possible.

Michael is a UW Alumni, having graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Drama and Communication. In addition to academics, Michael was an active member of the theatre community on campus. Serving as Publicity Director for the Undergraduate Theater Society, an actor in over ten productions, and stagehand in countless others, he rounded out his education with work onstage and behind the scenes. While studying he was also, at times, a member of UW’s Gospel Choir, Theta Chi Fraternity, and Phi Beta Kappa honor society. Since studying abroad in the UK, Michael’s dream has been to further his training with Classical work in London. It is his hope, that with the Fulbright Award, he will round out his contemporary training with intensive conservatoire craftwork, connect with local community-based theatre projects, and embed himself within the international and British cohort at LAMDA.

Michael’s tip: Separation is in the Preparation! And in the revisions. And in the clarity!

I am a senior majoring in neuroscience and minoring in music. Outside of school, I conduct research on pediatric chronic pain at Seattle Children’s Research Institute, and am currently working on a meta-analysis on the prevalence of chronic pain in young adults.

Raised in a Lebanese-American household, I grew up in the midst of the sociopolitical issues plaguing Lebanon and its neighbors, and have witnessed the physical and mental trauma experienced in war-torn and displaced communities. I have volunteered as a tutor in Lebanon at SOS Children’s Villages, an international organization dedicated to providing homes, families, and other resources to abandoned or orphaned children, some of whom, within the Lebanese village of Bhersaf, are victims of the Syrian refugee crisis. I have also performed as a pianist and singer at fundraiser concerts in the Bay Area for SOS.

Through these experiences, and my coursework in neuroscience and UW’s Interdisciplinary Honors Program, I have gained initial exposure to the neurophysiological study of trauma and current trends in global health and migration. This exposure has inspired a passion for researching trauma in vulnerable displaced populations. Specifically, I am interested in pursuing graduate study in medical anthropology in order to study the nexus between mental health, displacement, culture and politics within the Middle East. I hope to combine my studies of medical anthropology with my future medical school pursuits in order to not only effectively treat vulnerable communities, but to also provide research that informs global health policy-making for systemically neglected displaced and migrant populations.

Sacha’s tip: Take the time to reflect on your experiences, and make sure to pursue studies that you are deeply passionate about. That makes the application process so much more personal and exciting. And never hesitate to reach out for help from your professors and advisors for help and advice on personal statements and finding the right programs for you!

I am an artist, a leader and a lifelong teacher who is fueled by challenge and creative collaboration. I have spent time in different types of classrooms throughout my academic journey, acting as a student and a teacher, and oftentimes both. I worked for the Los Angeles Unified School District for two years before I finished my degree through the University of Washington’s Integrated Social Sciences (ISS) online program. Beyond the classroom, my passion is expressed in communication, storytelling and, above all, finding ways to connect with people.

As a Vietnamese-American growing up in a predominantly Caucasian community, I struggled with self-acceptance. My internal conflict stemmed from a lack of a sense of belonging among my peers. In university, I became exposed to an environment with greater diversity, and I discovered that being “different” opens a door of learning opportunities. At first, my curiosity drove me to learn about my friends’ cultures and customs. Then, I became determined to seek discomfort by experiencing unfamiliar customs first-hand. As a result, I have been fortunate to work abroad in Germany as well as study abroad twice in Santiago, Chile, and Singapore.

I am eager to teach English in Vietnam because I want to expand opportunities and empower students from my parents’ native country. From my experiences in a variety of leadership and mentorship programs, I discovered my passion for teaching and personal growth. I am ecstatic to evolve my skills as a teacher and to become a cultural ambassador for Vietnamese youth. In addition, this opportunity has immense personal value to me. Over the years, I learned to embrace the beauty of my Vietnamese heritage. I took the initiative to take language courses, understand the history of Vietnam, full of suffering and resilience, and truly empathize with my parents’ experiences as refugees after the war. This upcoming year will be full of growth as I connect with my roots.

After my Fulbright grant, I intend to pursue a career in medicine as a pediatrician. My time spent in university has been comprised of diverse volunteering, research, cross-cultural, work, and academic experiences. These opportunities have shaped me into an individual determined to serve patients at their most vulnerable state, promote community health and sustainable living, and improve health accessibility for underrepresented communities. From this Fulbright ETA opportunity, I am confident that my curiosity will lead me to actively engage with local communities and expand my knowledge through meaningful dialogue. Determined to seek out discomfort, I intend to expand my cultural competency and communication skills with diverse communities in preparation for a career in medicine.

Catherine’s tips: Utilize your resources! I highly encourage staying connected with Robin/Emily and reaching out to Fulbright alumni for advice and feedback! Also, be intentional in your writing and country selection. Prior to starting my application, I self-reflected quite a bit and I deeply considered why I wanted to pursue an ETA grant and why specifically in Vietnam. After that, I reflected upon my previous experiences and personal interests that led me to apply for the Fulbright grant. This process definitely allowed me to create a strong argument as to why I should be selected for a Fulbright and how I was genuinely passionate about this opportunity. The last tip, while revising your application, definitely reach out to family, friends, or mentors to read over your essays to make sure that your character and authenticity truly shines through in your writing.

I am a recent graduate from the University of Washington School of Public Health. I plan to pursue graduate studies in Epidemiology to address health inequality locally and internationally and hope to focus my work on mental illness, agricultural injustice, generational trauma, non-communicable disease development, and disability among underserved communities. Due to globalization, international experience is becoming increasingly vital to public health professionals in order to address the public health threats of the future. This Fulbright position will give me experience working in an international setting with diverse populations and improve my skills at a language commonly spoken by underserved populations within my own community. The belief that we cannot allow our vision to be limited by our means attracted me to the field of public health and it is here where I found a passion and career in which I could use my strength, creativity, and perspective to work towards equality, both locally and globally.

Lincoln’s tip: Don’t doubt yourself.

The disparities I observed during medical shadowing prompted me to understand how socioeconomic, political, and technological factors impact healthcare. To do so, I learn about medical advancements and their broader social implications at UW Seattle. My time at UW has been defined by the communities I entered: bioengineering, research, and journalism. Learning within these networks, I gained skills that inadvertently led me to the most rewarding leadership opportunities. I have been an undergraduate researcher under Dr. Paul Yager, whose lab develops inexpensive diagnostic tests for low-resource settings. Here, I develop imaging tools for our lab’s devices using smartphones. The research independence I gained here motivated me to accept a leadership role in a global health organization, Bioengineers without Borders, designing a dehydration monitor. Likewise, writing for the science and health + wellness sections of The Daily, UW’s student-led newspaper, led me to diverse perspectives in healthcare through interactions within the broad UW community. I have had the opportunity to speak with the most impressive and inspirational Huskies. Through these experience, I understood the importance of applying evidence-based decision making and critical thinking in global health settings, recognizing interventions will only be successful with thoughtful consideration of the context, individuals, and current workflows. Bioengineering provided me the opportunity to leverage my comprehensive research background, commitment to improving medical access for diverse groups, and bridge a passion for technology, medicine, and global health. The professional, personal, and academic development experiences UW offered me has started my journey to a lifetime of work devoted towards improving the health of diverse communities.

Vidhi’s tip: Take advantage of the resources at the scholarship office! You want to make sure that people who have written/reviewed such grants and are unexperienced in your field review your proposal because it provides unbiased feedback.

As a Bioengineering major, I started at the University of Washington determined to contribute to medicine. Since a few months into my first year here, I have been researching in the global health-oriented Woodrow Lab, which has confirmed my desire to pursue a career focusing on international health, likely infectious disease. I started taking Portuguese classes during my second year, primarily motivated by the uniquely welcoming culture I experienced while traveling in Brazil with my father as an eighth grader to visit his old exchange family. Since then, my motivation for learning Portuguese has shifted towards integrating it, and what I have learned from studying it, into my work. My language studies have shown me the importance of researchers being able to communicate with the different communities they work in, improving my perspective as a researcher. While studying for two months in São Paulo, I noticed that my ability to speak Portuguese surprised and opened a door to connection with each person that I talked with. Returning to Ribeirão Preto as a Fulbright student would allow me to make connections in the community and in the laboratory, where my focus would be using genetic sequencing to combat drug-resistant tuberculosis by decreasing the time needed to make clinical decisions about treatment. To continue conducting similar work, I ultimately plan to attend medical school and specialize in infectious disease – a field where research collaboration with Brazil will remain important and the connections I would build as a Fulbright student relevant.

Sarah’s tip: Get started with your drafts early, and get feedback on complete drafts from the advisors as soon as possible.

Katie is currently a senior majoring in psychology at the University of Washington. She plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology. In her future work, Katie’s aim is to support families by examining factors that enhance or hinder family functioning and child development, with an eye toward disadvantaged populations. She hopes to build on this understanding by developing and enhancing feasible, affordable interventions that will buffer disadvantaged families from negative health outcomes.

Katie’s tip: While this process my push you outside of your comfort zone, there are many benefits! This includes reaching out to new contacts, learning skills of collaboration, and honing in on your critical thinking, writing skills, and personal story. And along the way, the advisors at the OMSFA office are willing to help throughout! Be willing to put in a good amount of work, but it’s worth it!

I grew up in Seattle, and my mom is from Finland. I was able to speak Finnish as a child, but I never has Finnish citizenship nor lived in Finland at any point in time. It wasn’t until I went to the University of Washington (UW) that I had an academic interest in Finnish. During my time at UW, I cultivated a focus in European politics through my Finnish language and political economy majors. I knew that in the long-term, I wanted to further develop my Finnish language comprehension and look deeper into European and global politics. The Scandinavian Studies Department is a unique asset that we have at UW, and I knew it would be challenging to find the right Finnish/political economy master’s program that I wanted in the U.S. As a result, I applied to do a Fulbright in Finland with Tampere University’s Leadership for Change master’s program, where it focuses on EU, Northern European and EU-Russian relations. This Fulbright to Tampere allows me to continue to develop my academic interests, while also sharing my Finnish-American background with other students as a representative from the U.S. Moreover, this Fulbright grant helps me better achieve my goals in working in an international organization (IGO). I would like to work for United Nations or North Atlantic Treaty Organization in some capacity, and the skills that I will gain from this experience abroad will give me a specialized, transatlantic approach in helping the U.S. better its decision-making within IGOs.

Iris’ tip: Ask for help and listen to all of the feedback that you get! Applying for a grant/scholarship is a completely different process from other applications. You have to show why you are the perfect candidate for that specific grant. By getting advice from your recommenders, professors and scholarship advisors on how to show that, you will be better prepared for navigating this process successfully.

I am a senior majoring in Environmental Studies, and minoring in Danish, and Urban Design and Planning. Growing up in the Inland Northwest, I have always been passionate about protecting our natural resources in the face of growing environmental concerns. My time at UW has revolved around addressing environmental injustice and ensuring that environmental topics are communicated in culturally relevant ways. The education I received has given me both a toolkit to address environmental issues moving forward in my career, while also exposing me to some unexpected interests.

I had the opportunity to study abroad in Greenland and Denmark, which opened my eyes to the realities of Arctic climate change and proved the importance of interdisciplinary engagement and cross-cultural understanding when addressing complex global challenges. The environmental field has historically had a tendency to not integrate the knowledge or needs of the local communities whose ecosystems they study, and this sentiment was expressed to me from locals while in Greenland. As someone passionate about climate justice and cross-cultural communication, I wanted to find a way to return to Greenland, and better connect with Arctic communities, leading me to pursue a minor in Danish.

Learning a foreign language as an adult has been both a rewarding and challenging process. My experience has inspired me to help others as they learn English, and I hope that I can use my Danish skills and teaching experience to serve the local community of Nuuk as a Fulbright ETA. Serving as an ETA in Greenland would allow me to not only use the skills I have developed through college to assist the local population, but would also give me the chance to better engage with the communities I met on my study abroad, which is an invaluable learning opportunity for my future career in Arctic and environmental policy.

Lela’s tip: My main advice would be to both start your application as early as possible, but also use the amazing advising resources we have on campus. The Fulbright application process can be intimidating, so it is important to stay motivated, and there are many people who want to help you succeed.

I am from Southern California and grew up in a predominantly Latinx neighborhood. Because of my mixed race, many people assumed I was Latina and spoke Spanish to me on a daily basis. As a result, I began learning the language in middle school and eventually fell in love with it. A few years later, I was diagnosed with Alopecia Areata, a hair loss disease. This condition introduced me to the world of healthcare because I tried a million and one treatments to stop my hair from falling out. However, after two strenuous years, I lost all my beloved hair but gained an intense passion for all things health related. In college, I decided to pursue a double major in two fields I absolutely love: Public Health and Spanish.

Throughout my four years, I have narrowed my academic focus to minority health. As a woman of color, I feel a strong urge to help bridge the gap in healthcare access amongst marginalized communities, predominantly racial minorities, and their counterpart. I work as an English as a Second Language Tutor for immigrant students at Seattle Central College, which has helped me recognize my passion for teaching as well. By volunteering here, I have realized that I want to pursue academia in the distant future. After I graduate, I intend to take all the tangible and interpersonal skills that I have obtained at the University of Washington back with me to Southern California and work on mitigating these health issues. I want to use my Spanish-speaking skills to work with the Latinx community at home, while having my public health knowledge facilitate the creation of beneficial interventions.

Chiara’s Tip: Begin the application early!

I am a local student interested in the history of the Middle East and North Africa, specifically during the period of decolonization in the mid-20th Century. I’ve spent considerable time working on this period in Algeria specifically and decided to apply for the Fulbright program in order to go, engage in Algerian society, and hopefully improve my Arabic. I hope to continue studying Algeria and the region in a graduate school and will look to enter a career in the state department or through an international organization.

Bennet’s Tip: Emphasize why you want to go to the SPECIFIC place you are applying for. This will be much more compelling than just broad merits, especially considering the focus of the Fulbright program involves cross cultural engagement in your specific location.

Hi! My name is Jill Nakayama and I am a senior studying Early Childhood and Family Studies at the University of Washington. I was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii and attended Punahou School. Throughout the years, I developed a passion for working with children as I would often volunteer in preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school classrooms. As I worked with these children, I realized how unique each child is in personality, culture, background and so this lead me to want to learn more about child development and how to help all children reach their maximum potential and lead happy, healthy lives. In the future, I plan to pursue a doctorate degree in child psychology. I will use the knowledge and experience I gained to practice cultural competency in my future career as a child and family psychologist and in my daily life.
Even though my career goal is to become a child and family psychologist, my life goal would be to help create a more unified world by helping children of all backgrounds feel welcomed and supported. Hawaii and the United States as a whole is a very culturally diverse place with families that immigrate from all over the world. Adjusting to a new culture can be difficult for these families, but I hope to offer a helping hand and assist immigrant families moving to America in having a smooth transition into life here; this can even be something as small as offering to chat a little in their native language. In the end, I would love to share my story with others as they share their stories with me; even if it’s only one step towards mutual respect for different cultures, I hope that I can make a difference in motivating others to take this same step forward towards a more understanding world.

Jill’s Tip: I would suggest talking to the advisors early and learning about the scholarship so you can decide if it is the right fit for you. Throughout the application process, it was very helpful talking to the advisors for tips and also for feedback on the essays. The last tip I have is to have many different people read your written statements (ex: personal statement, statement of grant purpose, etc.). I found it extremely helpful to get feedback from several people as they all interpreted my essays in different ways and their feedback helped me to tailor it so I could convey what I wanted.

I am a former Navy Linguist who is driven by the pursuit of knowledge and intercultural cooperation. I am fluent in Dari and Levantine Arabic, with an elementary proficiency in Hindi/Urdu. I have four years of experience in Army intelligence and spent one year teaching English in Afghanistan. I hope to channel the skills developed in my previous experience into a career in international diplomacy. Arabic and Farsi chose me, but Hindi is the first language that I’ve chosen of my own volition. India stands out to me for its unique role as one of the world’s top innovators, and I aspire to get to know the nation that has so deftly captured the hearts of billions of foreigners through the appeal of its cultural diplomacy. It is a country that is ancient and ambitious, and in its coexistence of so many integrated cultures it is an endless source of discovery for a future diplomat. The opportunity to serve under a Fulbright Grant in India would be an immense challenge, a learning opportunity, and a springboard onto my intended path of improving US-India relations through the facilitation of intercultural understanding.

Azelle’s tip: Ask for feedback from everyone around you, especially the scholarship advisors! In order to build a strong application, you have to get a feel for how the evaluators will see it. That means gathering as many different perspectives as possible.

Hana Bloedel has been selected for a U.S. Student Fulbright grant to Estonia, where she will serve as an English Teaching Assistant. Hana completed her B.A. in Global Studies and Society, Ethics & Human Behavior, with a minor in Human Rights, in June 2018. During her time at UW Bothell, she studied abroad in London, participated in the D.C. Human Rights Seminar, and was involved in community-based courses.

After graduation she went on the Minidoka Pilgrimage to Jerome County, Idaho, to visit the site where her grandmother was incarcerated during World War II. She has since been working as a Student Success Coach with City Year Seattle through the AmeriCorps program, supporting elementary students in their growth in both social and emotional learning, and in ELA.

Hana’s tip: Believe that you can do it, think about it in advance, get advice/help with the writing process from multiple people, be genuine, do your research.

Rachel is broadly interested in the impacts of human manipulation of freshwater ecosystems via introduction of non-native species and altered flow regimes, and conservation approaches to these effects. She first forayed into freshwater ecology as a field technician quantifying the intermediate host dispersal of waterborne parasites in the Senegal River basin and has since expanded on this work by conducting a study on the influence of environmental variables on the success of common liver fluke, a prevalent parasite that infects humans and livestock around the globe. Her current research examines spatial patterns in angler movement derived from new fishing technologies and smartphone applications with the intention of identifying frequently-traveled pathways between lakes and reservoirs, a common vector for invasive species.

These experiences have defined Rachel’s commitment to a world in which freshwater biodiversity and ecosystem services are appreciated by all. She was motivated to apply for a Fulbright academic grant after recognizing the pivotal role anglers play in effectively managing freshwater systems. The grant would fund her proposal to study the effectiveness of lake restoration efforts spearheaded by angling clubs in Lower Saxony, Germany and ultimately inform angler-driven fish conservation practices throughout Europe. Rachel has long been connected to Germany through language – she studied German for thirteen years as a child – and the Fulbright program offers an unparalleled opportunity to synthesize her scientific and cultural interests.

Rachel’s long-term plans include graduate studies in aquatic ecology, after which she intends to pursue a career in ecological research working either in academia or for a federal resource agency. In her spare time she enjoys skiing, backpacking, fishing, kayaking, and playing the ukulele in one of the Seattle’s many green spaces.

Rachel’s tip: Incorporate edits and suggestions from the on-campus interview committee into your final essay submissions – they’re very familiar with Fulbright’s evaluation criteria and have valuable insight to offer!

Hannah is a Civil and Environmental Engineering recent graduate applying for a Fulbright research experience in Chile. There, she hopes to test our ability to model water resources in a range of diverse climates that Chile holds. She plans on accomplishing this through applying a hydrologic and meteorological based model to three separate watersheds in the arid north, the heavily populated central region, and the pristine south. This research would be carried out through collaboration with La Católica University in Santiago. Hannah developed an interest in merging her studies in hydrology with her interest in South America after studying abroad in Chile for a semester, and partaking in undergraduate mountain hydrology research at UW through the Civil and Environmental Engineering department. She plans on partaking in the grant at the beginning of her graduate studies starting next fall, with the end goal of utilizing her Fulbright grant to not only better predict water resources globally, but also develop international relationships benefiting the scientific communities in both the U.S. and Chile. She is excited to make it as a semi-finalist, and cannot wait to see if she makes it further and gets the opportunity to carry out research she’s passionate about in a country she’s grown to love.

Hannah’s tip: Focus on establishing relationships with great mentors early on in college that will be excellent leaders and resources for letters of recommendation for scholarship opportunities.

I was a Public Health major who focused in gender-based violence as it relates to women’s health. I interned with the Seattle City Domestic Violence Unit and became very interested in the ways that mental health plays a role in DV. Because I focused on post-conflict areas in school I thought it would be a perfect fit to combine my two main interests, and take a research approach to mental health as it applies to domestic violence in Kosovo. I hope to go back to school and either get my masters in public health or a graduate degree in sociology.

Lauren’s tip: Start early and don’t get discouraged!

I am a senior at the University of Washington studying International Studies and Dance. I am passionate about integrating my studies into community building. My training in gender studies, queer theory, and critical race theory from my time at the Jackson School developed my identity, values, and world perceptions. Dance is a creative outlet and platform for self-expression. On my free time I enjoy dance and improvisation in public spaces because I am present in my body and environment. I will my combine my interests in politics and arts into uplifiting the next generation of global leaders – the youth. As an educator for Americans Promoting Study Abroad and One World Now, I fostered student-centered learning environments in my classroom. I have facilitated leadership workshops for high school students from underserved backgrounds in the U.S. and abroad. I want to live in a society that gives underpriviliged students equal access to high quality education. In order to cultivate a successful democracy, we need to educate youth to make decisions with a critical lens as well as empower them to voice their opinions.

Kevin’s tip: Experiences outside of academia are invaluable. Time away from school provides insight into a well-rounded perspective on life. We are not just students, artists, athletes, professionals, etc., but, we are human beings and we should be more human.

If I have learned one thing over the course of my time at the University of Washington, it is to not rush things. When I returned to the university after my year and summer abroad at Seoul National University in September 2017, I soon realized that I did not give myself enough time to prepare for graduate school applications and many other programs. Instead, I applied for and was awarded a David L. Boren Scholarship to continue studying Korean for another year in Seoul, South Korea after I finished my fourth year at the University of Washington. Continuing my studies for the fifth year gave me the extra time and confidence boost to apply for the Fulbright ETA program in Taiwan. If I become a finalist for the program then I will be returning to Taiwan to teach English for the second time. The first time being on the 2013 AID Summer volunteer program which was a blast. I hope to return to Taiwan in August and put my now nine years of Mandarin language training to the test. I plan to keep up both my Mandarin and Korean skills and apply to graduate schools in my home state of California. My goal is to apply my language skills and cultural knowledge to a career as a Foreign Service Officer.

Sarah’s tip: Go to as many scholarship info sessions or workshops as it takes to motivate yourself to start the application early and review it a thousand times over.

I applied to become a Fulbright ETA with the aspiration to expand my world knowledge, in turn, achieving better reflective practices in my communication strategies and the actions that I take. This process for reflective considerations includes those taken within professional roles that I hold, such as decisions that I make as an instructor or as someone who is interacting within a new community. I maintain this overarching goal because I enjoy working with others, especially with perspectives and backgrounds different than my own and have learned more about its importance throughout my career so far. I am currently a coordinator of educational programming for newly arrived youth and in this role I focus on the development of study habits to help promote self-sufficiency and confidence growth in academics. While I thoroughly enjoyed and have learned a lot from my past in roles similar to this, I realize my limitations in developing collaborative process’ necessary for creating the most effective community engagement and to be a better collaborative ally. As an ETA helping with instruction and simultaneously learning within a new environment, I can move past these barriers.

This passion to continually learn from new perspectives has also drawn me in my more personal ventures to circus arts, which I have been practicing since 2014. With this experience, I have found that being introduced to new places/communities is pretty similar to learning a skill like aerial arts. At first it can be disorienting but with what you have learned you are able to see more clearly and to build upon your newfound skill-sets with more confidence. I am excited for the experience of learning new skills as an ETA within a new culture and excited to find how this opens my mind towards future endeavors.

Brandie’s tip: If you don’t get in the first time, don’t let that finalize anything. There is always the opportunity to try again.

Growing up, I learned very quickly how to adapt to new environments as I spent much of my childhood traveling all over the world with my family. These experiences I had early on in my life played a significant role in the development of my deep appreciation for different cultures and diverse forms of communication. I extended this appreciation back home in Seattle by involving myself in various volunteering opportunities that allowed me to get to know the populations that made up my community, such as refugee immigrants, the homeless, and the elderly. Over time, I developed valuable longitudinal relationships with those I worked closely with, allowing me to gain an understanding of each population’s personal needs through the stories each chose to share with me.

As an aspiring physician, I have explored many facets of healthcare both as an undergraduate as well as after graduating, and it has become my passion to serve disadvantaged populations. My research, work, volunteering, and UW academic experiences thus far have shaped me into an individual committed towards improving access to vital resources, while empowering people to live sustainable lives. As a doctor I want to promote quality healthcare and improved outcomes for patients and society through research questions that are guided by civic engagement. Taking advantage of a Fulbright ETA in Thailand to use and build upon my cultural insights will continue to inform my passion for incorporating cultural awareness into patient care; and for building more equitable doctor-patient relationships so that I can better inform and empower my patients.

Currently in my gap year, I enjoy working at Ballard Swedish Hospital Emergency Department as a scribe. In my free time, I love to rock climb, play the harp, volunteer at a local nursing home, and teach English to refugee immigrants in Seattle.

Anika’s Tip: Start as soon as possible, earlier than you think you need to. UW has so many resources available for students, both in-person and online. I found it particularly helpful to periodically meet with UW’s Fulbright Advisors; they are very willing to meet with applicants and offer their advice.

Language learning has been a passion and interest of mine since early childhood. While I grew up 15 minutes from UW, I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to spend time traveling within Europe and practicing bilingual communication. This June I will graduate with a B.A. in English and a minor in French with college honors, and I hope to take my love for language to Belgium to teach English at the university level. Communication skills are a link that start with individuals but make a global impact in building empathy and global understanding.

Growing up, my family spent huge amounts of time playing in and around the mountains and natural areas of the Pacific Northwest, ultimately inspiring my passions for ecological conservation and appreciation of our wild spaces. Addressing large-scale issues like our environmental crises must be solved from an interdisciplinary standpoint, and I hope to translate my language and communication skills into a career in environmental education. Igniting students’ interest in ecology and helping them build sustainable habits into their daily lives is an important step towards instilling a preservation-focused mindset in future generations. I believe that pursuing a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship would help me take steps towards this goal by furthering my teaching skills and learning to effectively communicate across languages and cultural norms.

Currently at UW I’m completing coursework for the Interdisciplinary Honors program as well as English departmental honors. Throughout my four years I’ve been involved as a tutor with the Pipeline Project, a Peer Mentor for Honors 100, and an active member of the club ski racing team. Gaining experience in internships with Rick Steves’ Europe, SKI Magazine, and Hillel UW has helped me to gain invaluable writing and travel skills, and an unrelenting desire for adventure and new experiences.

Nola’s tip: Be yourself! Your quirks, passions, and unique interests all help you stand out in an authentic way, and help selection committees see the real you. Don’t be afraid to share what makes you special, because it might make you the best fit for the program!

I am a 4th-year students at the UW studying Law, Societies, & Justice (LSJ). While learning about inequities within our criminal justice system, I found inequity within education to be a root issue and cause of those inequities. Because of this, I am passionate about the field of Education and am continuously exploring my role within it. Through Fulbright, I hope to familiarize myself with ways other countries are able to establish more successful and equitable systems of education in hopes of generating new ideas for U.S. public schools. I am also excited at the thought of participating in a cultural exchange program.

Rodha’s tip: Talk to Emily!!!

Maya Sullivan is a senior hoping to apply her interdisciplinary studies to pursue a career in diplomacy. Growing up within a biracial family inspired her to seek opportunities to build bridges between cultures, rather than allow differences to tear people apart. Maya hopes to work in the international community in sustainable development, and is incredibly grateful for the great many doors the University of Washington, in particular the Jackson School, has opened for her to chase this path. Maya hopes that regardless of the specific sector of development she enters, that she will contribute to collaborative projects that highly involve the input of recipients.

Maya applied to the Fulbright research grant for the 2019-2020 cycle. The Fulbright research grant holds the potential for Maya to conduct independent economic research in Muscat, Oman, allowing her to understand more deeply the obstacles for economic diversification and development. Maya hopes to present policy recommendations based on her research for how best to achieve economic diversification in Oman. If she were lucky enough to be awarded the grant, Maya hopes to spend a year in Oman learning more about Arabic culture and language, in addition to its economy. Based on her experience after her Fulbright year, Maya hopes to either work for a development NGO or think tank for a couple years before pursuing a Master’s degree. In the long run, Maya aspires to have the opportunity to enter the public service and help continue to break down barriers for more women of color to enter roles of leadership in the government.

Maya’s tips: Start early, enroll in the online class for Global Fellowships, and work closely with the advisors! Emily was so helpful to me, even though I wasn’t able to meet in person.

Binh is an immigrant from Vietnam majoring in International Studies with a focus on foreign policy, diplomacy, peace and security. Binh’s research interest is in communication between different political parties and the difference between policy and what happens on-the-ground. They are currently completing their Honor’s Thesis on political memes during political flash points. Other research projects includes a partnership between the Applied Research Program and Microsoft on threats to democratic processes.

Applying to the Fulbright Combined grant for ETA and Research is the best of both worlds as they can impact students’ learning while researching the impacts of social media on democracy and political organization of youths. Growing up in a diverse neighborhood nurtured a curiosity in different cultures and people which inspired them to become a Foreign Service Officer in Public Diplomacy. They seek to learn more about cross-cultural communication and exchange on the Fulbright Program. And of course, further developing themselves as someone that will represent America, as diverse a country as it is. When Binh is not researching or working, they can be found eating and/or reading. Binh is proud of their ability to do both simultaneously while walking.

Binh’s tips for future applicants:
Be clear in your intentions and focus of the Fulbright! Envision yourself there and ask why are you going? And more importantly, why does it matter?

Regan is a senior studying Psychology and International Studies: Comparative Religion. She is an out-of-state student from Moraga, CA located in the San Francisco Bay Area. Professionally, Regan plans on attending graduate school to explore the impacts of social bias on policy creation. Her career goal is to become a Foreign Service Officer, inspired by her study abroad experience in Rome, Italy and internship with the Department of State in Nepal, Kathmandu. In addition, she is a part of the Social Policy and Identity Research Lab under the Evans School of Public Policy which has given her skills to research critical questions. During her four years, she has focused on mentoring her peers. As former Student Director for the Campus Visit Program, Orientation Leader, and Honors Peer Educator, Regan has helped create a more inclusive community. She enjoys collaborating with the UW community to create more dialogue about the role of religion has on politics and what it means for student identities in hopes of creating a more inclusive environment. Currently, Regan is planning an interfaith dialogue event called One of Many funded by the Husky Seed Fund. At the event, participants will listen to selected stories of how faith has impacted an individual’s student identity. Outside of UW, she works at REI in downtown Seattle. In addition, she enjoys running and yoga. The Fulbright grant that she applied for is at the University of Salamanca Master’s in International and Global Studies. Her focus area in the program would be Conflict Management and Nationalism, which fits her career goals and personal interests extremely well. Ultimately, Regan is sad to be leaving her community at UW but thankful for all the opportunities that have led her to this path.

Regan’s tip: Start early!!! The deadline is before UW starts which might make securing letters of recommendations difficult.

Nasri Isaac – Semi-Finalist, Turkey

Sara graduated Summa Cum Laude with her B.S. in Environmental Health in 2017. During her last semester of college, Sara studied abroad in rural Thailand conducting community-based research. The opportunity to build relationships with local villagers cultivated Sara’s passion for hearing the stories and perspectives of other people. After spending another two months traveling abroad in Southeast Asia, Sara accepted a fellowship through CDC’s Public Health Associate Program (PHAP). She packed up her bags once more and moved to Columbus to work at the Ohio Department of Health. Sara works in both health preparedness and health equity to promote more targeted emergency response efforts and public health program interventions. In January 2019, Sara began a 60-day deployment to Charleston, West Virginia to assist the Hepatitis A outbreak response. Thus far, she has helped coordinate vaccine clinics at homeless shelters, faith-based organizations, and Medication-Assisted Treatment centers to get more than 600 people vaccinated.

The combination of traveling abroad, doing on-the-ground community work, and seeing the influence of federal and state policy on public health programs, motivated Sara to apply for a Fulbright research fellowship. Her proposed project would be conducted in the Philippines and focuses on the impact of a social welfare policy on access to health services. This research project grew from Sara’s desire to understand the “real-world” implications of health policy and work with local communities whose voices are not always heard. Sara also intends to obtain her Masters in Public Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and will use this Fulbright opportunity to inform which area of public health she would like to pursue further. Ultimately, Sara hopes this Fulbright is a stepping stone on the path to a global health career where she can influence policy makers by better understanding how policy affects the lives of local communities.

Sara’s tip: Start the process early! There are a lot of components to the application and you want to give yourself enough time to go through several drafts and get feedback from your peers and mentors. Also, developing a research proposal with an organization overseas takes a lot of back and forth communication – so be patient and know that the extra time you put into it will only make your proposal stronger.

Attitudes of the artists toward their handicrafts in Morocco have sparked my curiosity due to my own interest and experience in sewing and embroidery and my experiences in Morocco. Studying the women who create Morocco’s cultural textiles will help provide me with a better understanding of the challenges facing the industry with an increased importation of mass-produced textiles. These crafts form the basis for Morocco’s cultural heritage, and my project provides an opportunity to understand the source of the beloved Moroccan rugs: the women who weaved them.

I am particularly interested in Morocco because it is often excluded from dialogues about the Middle East and viewed as an outsider, both linguistically and culturally. Most research and scholarly interest are focused on the Levant or the Gulf and North Africa is undervalued. For this reason, I believe it is important to invest in researching aspects of Moroccan culture in hopes of bringing better understanding and focus to a country that is often overlooked in politics, research, and academia.

Afterward, I will return to the US and earn a graduate degree in International Relations with an area of specialization in the Middle East and North Africa. I hope to use these experiences to help bring mutual understanding to the region and continue my work in the US State Department or as a Foreign Service officer. A year in Morocco on the Fulbright Program will help me build a community in Morocco and build bridges between our two communities through civic engagement, curiosity, and respect for one another. My hope is for the blending of the future and tradition, and understanding the views of the women who work in textiles and for understanding how to preserve the ancient knowledge and traditions of embroidery and carpet weaving in Morocco.

Sydney’s tip: Start your application early and attend info sessions to learn more about the specifications of the application and get helpful tips!