High School Students
Undergraduates, Graduates, and Scholars
Professionals
Palesa Payne, Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
"Currently I am attending Santa Monica College, preparing myself to become a doctor of naturopathic medicine. I have always wanted to work and study internationally. As a doctor I will need to have a great understanding of humanity and be able to communicate effectively with an international population. In 2008 I had the wonderful experience of going to one of the most beautiful and diverse countries in the world, South Africa."
"Currently I am attending Santa Monica College, preparing myself to become a doctor of naturopathic medicine. I have always wanted to work and study internationally. As a doctor I will need to have a great understanding of humanity and be able to communicate effectively with an international population. In 2008 I had the wonderful experience of going to one of the most beautiful and diverse countries in the world, South Africa."
Michael Dowd, Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
"Through study abroad, I have learned that knowledge cannot be solely acquired through books and the experiences of others. Studying in Egypt over the past year provided me with a firsthand understanding of Egyptian culture and society. Constantly interacting with Egyptians, learning the nuances of colloquial Egyptian Arabic and keeping a friendly and open attitude all contributed to the successful experience I enjoyed in Cairo."
"Through study abroad, I have learned that knowledge cannot be solely acquired through books and the experiences of others. Studying in Egypt over the past year provided me with a firsthand understanding of Egyptian culture and society. Constantly interacting with Egyptians, learning the nuances of colloquial Egyptian Arabic and keeping a friendly and open attitude all contributed to the successful experience I enjoyed in Cairo."
Ana Cervantes, Fulbright Scholar
Ana Cervantes performed and instructed at the Universidad de Guanajuato in Mexico as a Fulbright Scholar. An accomplished concert pianist, she has made it her professional life’s work to educate the public through her music and to construct musical performances as a collective, community endeavor.
Ana Cervantes performed and instructed at the Universidad de Guanajuato in Mexico as a Fulbright Scholar. An accomplished concert pianist, she has made it her professional life’s work to educate the public through her music and to construct musical performances as a collective, community endeavor.
Frank Gonzalez IV, Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
"Ever since I was young, my parents taught me to appreciate learning about new cultures. I have always been curious about the world and felt a desire to experience living in a different country. I had never before had the opportunity to study abroad and live my dream until recently when I applied for a student exchange program with Texas A&M International University."
"Ever since I was young, my parents taught me to appreciate learning about new cultures. I have always been curious about the world and felt a desire to experience living in a different country. I had never before had the opportunity to study abroad and live my dream until recently when I applied for a student exchange program with Texas A&M International University."
Anna and Roy Freed, Fulbright Scholars
Anna and Roy Freed taught at Bulgaria’s renowned Sofia University as Fulbright Scholars. As a result of their dedication to promoting mutual understanding, the Freed’s earned the distinction of “Cavaliers of the Madara Horseman, First Degree”, Bulgaria’s highest civilian recognition. Read more about their “inspiring story of the opportunities Fulbrighters have to contribute to international amity” through their exchange experiences.
Anna and Roy Freed taught at Bulgaria’s renowned Sofia University as Fulbright Scholars. As a result of their dedication to promoting mutual understanding, the Freed’s earned the distinction of “Cavaliers of the Madara Horseman, First Degree”, Bulgaria’s highest civilian recognition. Read more about their “inspiring story of the opportunities Fulbrighters have to contribute to international amity” through their exchange experiences.
Joel Fouser, Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program
Sayram, Kazakhstan is on the other side of the world from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Collaborating with his colleagues back home, Joel Fouser overcame the 12 hour time difference to link his host school students with his students back home. "I was beyond nervous that everything would fall into place,” Joel remembers. “When local Kazakh media began showing up, I knew that this was a big deal.
Sayram, Kazakhstan is on the other side of the world from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Collaborating with his colleagues back home, Joel Fouser overcame the 12 hour time difference to link his host school students with his students back home. "I was beyond nervous that everything would fall into place,” Joel remembers. “When local Kazakh media began showing up, I knew that this was a big deal.
Leslie Hafner, American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL)
"I will eternally be grateful to the hardworking professionals at ACYPL, the U.S. State Department and its partnership in this international exchange, the Congress for their appropriation to this program, the Administration for its support, the Australian Political Exchange Council and their hardworking professionals and the leaders and citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia."
"I will eternally be grateful to the hardworking professionals at ACYPL, the U.S. State Department and its partnership in this international exchange, the Congress for their appropriation to this program, the Administration for its support, the Australian Political Exchange Council and their hardworking professionals and the leaders and citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia."
Chon Lee, Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program
Chon has brought back Azeri poetry and microfinance lending projects to his 8th grade students in Santa Monica, California. Through school and community groups in Santa Monica, Chon’s students raised more than $500 for Azerbaijan through an international microfinance organization.
Chon has brought back Azeri poetry and microfinance lending projects to his 8th grade students in Santa Monica, California. Through school and community groups in Santa Monica, Chon’s students raised more than $500 for Azerbaijan through an international microfinance organization.
Monty McGee, Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholar
Monty McGee, a graduate of Norfolk State University, was a Gilman International Scholar in China. Says McGee, “I truly believe that I gained much more out of my abroad experience than any other experience during my undergraduate education."
Monty McGee, a graduate of Norfolk State University, was a Gilman International Scholar in China. Says McGee, “I truly believe that I gained much more out of my abroad experience than any other experience during my undergraduate education."
Polly McKinney, Professional Exchange Program
“This past fall, my life changed significantly… one afternoon on a grassy, dry, Kenyan hillside, as I shared a magnificent view, a boiled egg, and a precious bottle of water with a nine year old girl named Esther.”
“This past fall, my life changed significantly… one afternoon on a grassy, dry, Kenyan hillside, as I shared a magnificent view, a boiled egg, and a precious bottle of water with a nine year old girl named Esther.”
Clare Sisisky, Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program
Clare Sisisky designed several workshops for her colleagues during a two week trip to Bangladesh. One full-day workshop focused on creating teaching aids and using games for student assessment. The teachers were so impressed that they asked her to make a training video to be shared at future workshops in the school and throughout the region.
Clare Sisisky designed several workshops for her colleagues during a two week trip to Bangladesh. One full-day workshop focused on creating teaching aids and using games for student assessment. The teachers were so impressed that they asked her to make a training video to be shared at future workshops in the school and throughout the region.
Marilyn Turner, Fulbright Exchange Teacher
Marilyn Turner taught at St. Barnabas and St. Philip Church of England Primary School in London as a Fulbright Exchange Teacher. Turner and others organized the Colorado International Teachers' Exchange League (CITEL) to provide activities and support for past, present, and future exchange teachers in Colorado. Read more about Turner’s strong commitment to improving international relations through education.
Marilyn Turner taught at St. Barnabas and St. Philip Church of England Primary School in London as a Fulbright Exchange Teacher. Turner and others organized the Colorado International Teachers' Exchange League (CITEL) to provide activities and support for past, present, and future exchange teachers in Colorado. Read more about Turner’s strong commitment to improving international relations through education.
Jihad Ziyad, Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
"As a young African-American male growing up in a neighborhood overwhelmed by guns, drug transactions, murder and poverty, I was not in an environment which offered a positive outlet in my daily surroundings. Financial struggles made it more difficult for my mother to provide even the slightest of experiences such as a family road trip or vacation."
"As a young African-American male growing up in a neighborhood overwhelmed by guns, drug transactions, murder and poverty, I was not in an environment which offered a positive outlet in my daily surroundings. Financial struggles made it more difficult for my mother to provide even the slightest of experiences such as a family road trip or vacation."
Sandra Williams, American Council of Young Political Leaders
"As I look back over my visit to Japan with the American Council of Young Political Leaders, I can truly say that my experience was invaluable. This experience was an integral part in my advanced development as a political leader. Traveling to Japan has exposed me to a new level of public service by introducing me to the practices of another society. The knowledge and perspectives shared by the political and business leaders of Japan has been instrumental in my effectiveness as a public servant."
"As I look back over my visit to Japan with the American Council of Young Political Leaders, I can truly say that my experience was invaluable. This experience was an integral part in my advanced development as a political leader. Traveling to Japan has exposed me to a new level of public service by introducing me to the practices of another society. The knowledge and perspectives shared by the political and business leaders of Japan has been instrumental in my effectiveness as a public servant."