Preparing for Events of Mass Violence in Ecuador – Sarah Maness – Ecuador 2025
Ecuador is currently experiencing an exponential growth in crime. Since 2016, the homicide rate has increased 500% and in 2023 was 45 per 100,000, the highest in South America. This rapid and unprecedented increase in crime, driven by gangs and the drug trade, has created an environment of fear and panic in a once peaceful […]
A Peruvian’s Journey of Growth and Discovery – Johann Cardenas – Peru 2021
In 2021, I received the Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship from the Fulbright Peru Commission. This prestigious award brought me from my home country, Peru, to the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, marking the beginning of a transformative journey. My arrival at Illinois was both exciting and daunting. However, the welcoming community of the Fulbright Student Association […]
A Fulbright Family: A Mother and Son’s Shared Legacy in Nepal
When Patrice Moulton first set foot in Nepal, she never imagined it would become a defining part of her life—let alone shape the journey of her son, Bryce. A psychologist by training, she arrived in the country after the 2015 earthquake, working to create safe learning spaces for children. That experience led to a Fulbright […]
The Russians Are Coming. The Russians Are Coming. No, It’s a French Robot! – Patrice Flynn – Russia 2019
My Russian Fulbright took an advantageous turn that demonstrates how the Fulbright Program brings scholars together in unexpected and meaningful ways, this time through robots. To teach global capitalism in the U.S., I am constantly on the look-out for ways to move beyond old teaching techniques to ones that meet the changing needs of new […]
A Bike Ride Through Thasala, Thailand
“We’ll take two Thai teas waan noi,” I say to Bo, my favorite barista in town. Her smile says, “I know you only like a little sugar.” Ali and I thank her and tuck our teas into our bike baskets. After teaching five classes, we are excited to bike to my local beach. While making […]
To my friend Ruben – Andrew Kim – Fulbright to Bulgaria 2019
While living in Bulgaria, I made a friend named Ruben. He lived in Kazanluk, about a 30-minute bus ride from my host town, Stara Zagora, at the time. Ruben and I became friends through my student Yoan, who knew Ruben through a family connection. Originally from Portugal, Ruben was spending a year in Kazanluk with […]
Indelible Impressions – Fathima Banu – USA 2005
It was a dream come true when I received a call from the United States India Education Fund (USIEF) to attend an interview for the Junior Research Fellowship. I was on a roller coaster ride full of excitement coupled with trepidation as I was to travel for the first time in my life, on my […]
Airport Friend – Melvina – Fulbright to USA 2008
Sometimes in life, the wrong gate leads you to the right destination. It was middle December of 2008, my first winter in the US. I was traveling to the East coast with my housemate. We were very excited at the same time sleepy during the flights. The night before the flight, we still had final […]