Two recent graduates and a doctoral student from the School of Literatures, Cultures & Linguistics have received Fulbright grants to pursue international education, research, and teaching experiences around the globe this coming year.
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program builds international relationships to help solve global challenges. This flagship international educational exchange program of the U.S. government awards grants to students based on their academic and professional achievement as well as their ambassadorial skills and leadership potential.
The Fulbright student program will fund 2,150 U.S. citizens to live abroad for the 2024-25 academic year.
“We are so proud of these aspiring scholars who join the hundreds of other University of Illinois students and thousands of young ambassadors from across the country to learn, grow and share in their ambassadorial and scholarly missions as Fulbrighters,” said David Schug, director of the National and International Scholarships Program at Illinois. “And we are currently working with many seniors, graduate students and recent alumni to continue this legacy.”
Lydia Alvarez from Chicago will teach English in Spain. She received a bachelor’s degree in Latina/Latino studies and Spanish in 2021 and is currently pursuing a master’s in education, policy, organization and leadership along with a certificate in international education administration at Illinois. She studied abroad in Granada, Spain, where she volunteered as an English teaching assistant before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. She plans to work in bilingual education in order to serve Spanish-speaking communities.
Amelia Kolany majored in Spanish and psychology at Illinois and studied abroad in Granada, Spain. A graduate of Palatine High School, she will teach English in Spain. Her goal is to pursue a career in international education, advising college students who wish to study abroad.
Andrew Schwenk is pursuing a doctorate in Germanic languages and literatures at Illinois and is going to study early modern German fiction at the Herzog August Bibliothek in Wolfenbüttel, Germany. Once he completes his dissertation, he plans to pursue a career in academia or translation.
“Fulbright offers remarkable opportunities for students” said Dana Johnson, director of external fellowships in the Graduate College. “I continue to be impressed by the range of projects pursued by Illinois students and encourage anyone interested in adding an international dimension to their program of study to explore the possibilities of a Fulbright grant.”
Editor's note: A version of this story first appeared on the Illinois News Bureau website.