The U.S. Department of State announced on Feb. 13 that Fordham University was a top producer of Fulbright Scholarship recipients for the sixth time in 15 years. The prestigious scholarship, which allows students to pursue academic projects internationally, was awarded to 11 Fordham students in the last year, some of whom attended programs in Taiwan, Indonesia, Côte d’Ivoire and more.
The university was acknowledged for this achievement on Feb. 21 at a reception hosted by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Institute of International Education in Washington D.C.
U.S. President Harry Truman established the Fulbright Program in 1946. The initiative was a flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government, providing students grants to expand their studies in one of more than 140 countries worldwide. Students selected can pursue an independent study, partake in graduate studies, teach the English language or participate in a particular program.
The prestigious scholarship, which allows students to pursue academic projects internationally, was awarded to 11 Fordham students in the last year, some of whom attended programs in Taiwan, Indonesia, Côte d’Ivoire and more.
In a student press conference with The Fordham Observer and The Fordham Ram on Feb. 27, University President Tania Tetlow noted the life changing impact of these fellowships and awards.
“It was a real focus for Father McShane to do more and more to help students get the opportunity to get those fellowships and prestigious awards. It’s something I believe in too,” she said. “It brings glory to Fordham, but more importantly, it really launches the lives of our students.”
Within the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, students immerse in their host country’s culture and lifestyle, as they engage in direct contact with locals daily. The program aims for students to gain perspectives on international education and opportunity, as well as widening their appreciation of new cultures through their experiences in their host country.
“It brings glory to Fordham, but more importantly, it really launches the lives of our students.”Tania Tetlow, university president
Lorna Ronald, director of the Office of Prestigious Fellowships, said that the awarding of Fulbright scholarships to Fordham students every year reflects that students understand cross-cultural exchange.
“They’ve studied abroad, they’ve served in the local community, they have multicultural family backgrounds and they’ve also had the benefit of a strong core curriculum that teaches them about people different from themselves,” Ronald said.
Ronald added that she encourages students to consider applying to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, because it is an “amazing” opportunity to expand cross-cultural understanding and overall student success.
“It (Fulbright) sets up students for success in any career which would involve cross-cultural understanding, which is most careers,” Ronald said.
Eric Schneider, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’23 and a 2023 Fulbright scholarship recipient, was awarded an English teaching assistantship to Côte d’Ivoire for the 2023-24 academic year. His assistantship was an opportunity to expand his interest in French-speaking countries in Africa upon completing his Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies and French and Francophone Studies.
“Fulbright is a cultural exchange, you’re not here to be a teacher of all things to show people how to do their day-to-day lives, but you’re there to learn and to teach at the same time,” Schneider said. “And arguably, I would say I’m learning more than I’m teaching.”
The Office of Prestigious Fellowships encourages all Fordham students to apply to the Fulbright Program, regardless of their grade point average or their areas of study. Fulbright applications are accepted until late August yearly.
“I’m learning more than I’m teaching.”Eric Schneider, FCLC ’23
Marisa Iglesias, associate director of the Office of Prestigious Fellowships, highlighted the Fulbright U.S. Student Program as a chance for students to become involved in a larger movement — an effort that focuses on the expansion of their global circle as well as the student community while abroad.
“Students immersing themselves in another culture really is a life-changing experience and it can open opportunities and new ways of seeing what’s possible, as well as a community of former Fulbrighters that will always be a part of your larger global circle,” Iglesias said.
Schneider echoed Iglesias’ sentiments about Fulbright’s ability to expand the recipient’s global circle.
“This experience has generated a connection that I’m going to have for the rest of my life,” Schneider said. ”This isn’t something that I’m just going to end and say was a great part of my life, but it is something that I really, really plan to continue.”
After finding a location and program under the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, applicants begin workshopping their essays and applications until the deadline approaches.
Iglesias noted that the Office of Prestigious Fellowships works closely with their applicants. Administrators begin meeting with interested applicants early in their junior year as a Fordham undergraduate student to discuss the process of applying for a Fulbright scholarship, which country to study in, and the scholarship types applicable to them.
Emma Jane Konkoly, FCLC ’23, is a Fulbright scholarship recipient alternate selected as a Teaching Assistant Alternate to Estonia. Konkoly shared that she is grateful to the Office of Prestigious Fellowships for ensuring applicants such as herself are walked through the application process.
Applicants who are selected as an alternate Fulbright scholarship recipient, such as Konkoly, have the opportunity to be promoted to a finalist status should additional funding to the program from the U.S. Congress or the U.S. Department of State be made available.
“They met with me regularly throughout the summer to get to know me because they want to help you advocate for yourself through the Fulbright application process,” Konkoly said.
(COURTESY OF FORDHAM UNIVERSITY)
After finding a location and program under the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, applicants begin workshopping their essays and applications until the deadline approaches. Following the submission of applications in August, the results of awardees are revealed that May each year.
Konkoly shared that she remembered devoting time to revising application essay drafts which seemed “daunting” at the time, but were manageable under the assistance of Iglesias and Ronald.
“You have to be very logical with your choice of words,” Konkoly said. “You are not going to finish those two essays in a couple of drafts.”
Within the Fulbright Program application itself, the Office of Prestigious Fellowships encourages Fordham students to emphasize their “genuineness” and what they seek to pursue in the program.
Iglesias discussed the collaborative efforts the Office of Prestigious Fellowships hosts in discovering Fulbright options suitable for their students, in addition to the efforts fostered by previous applicants to the program. Panels are held featuring faculty members, deans and members of the university’s administration — some of these members are also involved in the application process in the form of providing feedback and support for students choosing to expand their academic goals.
“It’s truly like a team effort, many are involved and it is amazing,” Iglesias said.
Iglesias described the Fulbright scholarships as one of Fordham’s most popular awards, highlighting its climbing application numbers and continued success for previous student recipients.
“We strive to create space for applicants to explore what they truly want to accomplish on a Fulbright, and the result is an application speaking to the individual applicant.”Marisa Iglesias, associate director of the office of prestigious fellowships
According to the Fulbright Program, 42.3% of applicants received the grant during the 2023-2024 academic year, the highest award rate Fordham has achieved in 15 years. The average award rate during this period is 20.9%.
“We’re interested in continuing to grow the program so that we have more students applying and with a strong process, this should mean we have more awardees,” Ronald added.
Within the Fulbright Program application itself, the Office of Prestigious Fellowships encourages Fordham students to emphasize their “genuineness” and what they seek to pursue in the program. Genuineness, as expressed by Iglesias, is seen in the application as a reflection of the goals, ambitions and curiosities of the individual student applying to the program.
“We strive to create space for applicants to explore what they truly want to accomplish on a Fulbright, and the result is an application speaking to the individual applicant,” Iglesias said.
While interested students are encouraged to consider their Fulbright applications during their junior year of undergraduate studies, the Office of Prestigious Fellowships has curated several upcoming events in partnership with the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA), Residence Hall Association, campus clubs and general information sessions to provide room for discussion on the application process.
An informational session regarding Fulbright with OMA on March 13 at 2 p.m. in the Leon Lowenstein Center South Lounge, in addition to a Zoom with OMA on April 2 at 4 p.m. An additional virtual information session will also be held on April 4 at 4 p.m.
“Fulbright is an opportunity available to everyone,” Iglesias said.