Aria joined the Fulbright Association in 2018.

When and where did your Fulbright take place? What did you do during your grant year?

I was a Fulbright ETA in Sardinia (Italy) in 2007-08.

How has your Fulbright experience impacted your life and career?

I doubt I will ever realize the full extent of the impact of my Fulbright experience, but I recognize that my path was profoundly affected in innumerable, concrete ways: I was inspired to dedicate my career to education and international exchange, felt compelled to combine my passion for teaching with my love of Italian culture and language, made lifelong friendships, and have done my best to make sure that other young students have the same opportunities for cultural exchange that I was given thanks to this life-changing year.

What is your most memorable experience as a Fulbright Association member? 

Having a first-generation college student come to my office, in complete disbelief and uncontainable excitement, to tell me that she was a semi-finalist for the Fulbright ETA.

Have you met any Fulbright alumni as a Fulbright Association member?

Yes! It has been an honor and pleasure to serve as the Vice-President of my local chapter of the Fulbright Association (I’m looking at y’all, Dallas Chapter!), where I have been fortunate to work alongside many talented Fulbright Alumni.

Photo: Aria’s cohort of Fulbright ETAs in Italy in 2008, discussing foreign language pedagogy with First Lady Laura Bush at the Centro Studi Americani in Rome