A government-funded study abroad program can provide graduating seniors and graduate students with supplemental academic opportunities overseas.
The Fulbright Program, created after World War II, has given more than 200,000 participants the chance to study, research and do teaching assistantships in foreign countries.
An interaction of cultures has also been one of the major benefits students have received, according to Kevin Martin, an assistant professor of history.
"One of the basic principles for this program is that you're a goodwill ambassador," Martin said in a Fulbright workshop last Friday.
Although the application process will not begin until May, Fulbright awarded 1,140 grants for 2005-2006 and 1,205 for next year. With three grants, an English teaching assistantship and Islamic Civilization Initiative Awards, Fulbright has more than 140 countries welcoming U.S. students.
The grants also range from full grants, which cover all expenses, travel grants that cover only travel expenses in addition to other non-Fulbright source and private grants, which include funds from foreign governments, universities or private donors. Although Fulbright selects students from any areas of study, they have grants that also provide specialized opportunities in business and language training.
With ever growing importance for the United States to increase educational opportunities for university students, Martin, along with Edward Havelrath, a doctoral student in history, are encouraging increased participation.
Havelrath, the most recent participant who went to Dresden, Germany, touched on benefits Fulbright candidates could experience such as meeting politicians, businessmen and journalists.
"They get you to go out and meet people, go to academic meetings and take advantage of field projects," he said. "We went to Parliament (Germany) and met many politicians."
In addition to studying, living and doing research in a foreign country, the program allows U.S. students to do English teaching assistantships and so far has given more than 300 grants. Most of the teaching assistantships have taken part mainly outside of capital cities and for students to find themselves in remote places teaching smaller communities or village children has been common.
"You won't be at the capital. They'll send you to a small town outside of the capital," Martin said. "If you want to teach and show and bring them something from the U.S., then this is what you want to do."
However, Martin and Havelrath said all Fulbright applicants should already begin assuming different living conditions and take a step away from their comfort zones.
"The Fulbright Program gives you a lot of clout, but be prepared to blend with their culture," he said. "Be aware of what's around you and you will go very far."
With more than 5,000 applications received in 2005-2006 and an increase in available grants for next year, there will be an ever-growing encouragement to apply.
Rebecca Laumann, the study abroad director, said Fulbright has especially become a major focus for graduate students, but has not left graduating seniors out.
"It helps you focus, especially if you are going to graduate school," she said.
Overall, Laumann said it would provide a new cultural experience and help students become cultural ambassadors.
"If you're one of the few, everybody will recognize your work," she said.
Increased participation will also solidify the campus' reputation, Laumann said.
"It helps the school in ranking," she said. "They would know that we are producing serious scholars."
Havelrath said the experience has been pleasant.
"All kinds of things happened. Everyone always went out together and went to shows," he said. "It was just a lot of fun."
