19 students receive Fulbright awards for research overseas

The Fulbright U.S. Student program, the country’s flagship program for international exchange, has awarded fellowships to 14 University of Wisconsin–Madison students. Additionally, five students have received funding from the Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad program.

The university is currently one of the top 10 American research institutions producing Fulbright fellows.

“UW-Madison is a leader in building global expertise and relationships that serve the state and the nation,” says Gilles Bousquet, dean of International Studies and vice provost for globalization. “The interaction that these exceptional students will have with people and institutions around the world will maintain this strong tradition.”

Ten students received Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards, primarily for graduate study abroad. Elizabeth Bintrim will study anthropology in Malawi. John Davis will study language and literature in Germany. Kurt Gron will study archaeology in Denmark. Katie Jarvis will study modern history in France. Ryan Keenan will study astronomy in Chile. Micah Morton will study anthropology in Thailand. Betty Nguyen will study cultural and intellectual history in Thailand. Melissa Reisland will study anthropology in Indonesia. Tamara Schenckenberg will study art and architectural history in Germany. Edward Wallace, who recently completed his B.A., will study art and architectural history in India.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program also provides funding for a number of English teaching assistantships in various countries. Four students, all of whom recently completed their undergraduate studies, will teach English as a foreign language. These assistantships allow award winners to assist local students while working with teachers and other professionals to improve pedagogical methods and language-learning strategies. Alicia Groh, Andrew Hansinger and Ginger Kern will teach in Germany; Bailey Smolarek will teach in Guatemala.

In addition, Cara Dees received an independent teaching assistantship through the French government by applying for a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in France.

“It’s important to note that this is a growing program,” says Erin Crawley, fellowships adviser for the International Institute. “Each year the program has added ETA awards and opportunities in more countries.”

Of the 15 offers made through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, 14 students accepted. Janine Sytsma turned down the offer to accept a Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Program. She will study art history in Nigeria.

Four other students have also accepted awards from the Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Program. Melissa Anderson will study history in Vietnam and France; Adam Auerbach will study political science in India; Sara Brinegar will study history in Azerbaijan and Russia; Melissa Reiser will study ethnomusicology in Senegal.

More than 1,500 students from around the United States will study in foreign countries during the 2010-2011 academic year thanks to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. The Fulbright Program, operating in over 155 countries, was established in 1946 by Sen. J. William Fulbright to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Among the more than 300,000 Fulbright alumni, 40 have become Nobel laureates, and 11 have won the Pulitzer Prize.