The results are still coming in, but Scripps College is on its way to a record-breaking year of Fulbright scholars. Here’s a peek at some of the amazing women – all serving English Teaching Assistantships – who’ve already accepted their award:
Julia Berryman
Julia travels soon to Malaysia, where she’ll work with English instructors teaching and planning extracurricular activities for primary or secondary school students. “I’m still sort of reeling from the news!” she says. “I can’t wait to meet my students, learn bahasa melayu, immerse myself in the culture, and of course try delicious Malaysian food. I’m especially looking forward to drinking a special tea called Teh Tarik one of my Malyasian friends here at Scripps has introduced me to!”
Ariel Bloomer
“I’ll be headed to Bulgaria,” says Ariel. There, she expects to work on her travel writing and photography skills when she’s not assisting in a foreign language high school. Prior to beginning her assistantship, Ariel will also attend the Fulbright International Summer Institute, a two-week interdisciplinary academic program in Pravets, Bulgaria.
“I’m honored to be offered this opportunity, even though in all honesty I am just as terrified as I am excited,” she says. “Leaving Scripps is scary enough, and learning to navigate adulthood in a new country, culture, and language is a whole new level of scary. It will be an adventure, and I expect it will be filled with all the excitement, anxiety, loneliness, wonder and growth that make adventures worthwhile.”
Anna Cho
Anna will go to South Korea for her Fulbright. “It was really my ideal post-graduation job,” she says. “I am Korean American, and this will give me an opportunity to explore my cultural heritage. I am also excited to help students and myself obtain a broader understanding of our diverse world.”
Kelsey Figone
“I’ll be traveling to Indonesia to teach English, most likely at an Islamic boarding school,” says Kelsey. In addition to her Fulbright duties, she also expects to run an after-school storytelling club – sharing and writing folk tales from Indonesia and the United States – or a dance club teaching different styles of Indonesian dance, modern dance, and ballet. “I can’t believe everything’s actually fallen into place like I’d hoped,” says Kelsey. “I’m so excited, and I’m starting to get a little nervous about going, yet I’ve had so much support from Scripps – especially Professors Crowley and Boucquey – that I feel prepared to take this exciting next step. It’s everything I’d hoped for.”
Michelle Gloster
Michelle will be close by, globally, doing her assistantship in Thailand. She expects her 12 month program to place her somewhere fairly rural – and that excites her. “I am ecstatic and honored,” she says. “It’s something I’ve been striving for since my sophomore year at Scripps, and I am very excited to spend a year in Thailand that will be invaluable to my future career as a teacher.”
Stephanie Jimenez
Stephanie travels to Colombia soon. She’s been placed at Universidad de Medellin in the city of Medellin, where she’ll give presentations, host English conversation clubs, tutor, and assist professors in whatever way needed. “Though I was born in New York City,” she says, “half of my family is Colombian. Until now, I’ve never had the chance to visit. I see this opportunity not only as a way to develop my skills as a future educator, but as an opportunity for personal growth and fulfillment.”
Melissa Mesinas
Melissa heads to Peru in March 2013 to work with the indigenous Quechua population. “I’m thrilled to embark on a new journey in Peru,” she says. “I will be able to apply the knowledge and confidence I have gained during my time at Scripps.” And, fit a trip to Machu Picchu with her mom in during her busy schedule.
Alicia Roy has also been awarded a Fulbright and will accept an English Teaching Assistantship in Germany.