Fulbright

North Toward Success

BBENSON@bridgew.edu — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 14:44:28 +0000

North Toward Success BBENSON@bridgew.edu Wed, 06/05/2024 - 10:44

Junior receives Fulbright fellowship to fund semester in Canada

June 6, 2024

Brian Benson, G'23

Genna Symonds, ’25, is heading north of the border. Thanks to a prestigious fellowship, Genna will study in Canada, a country that she dreams of one day calling home.

Genna is among approximately 10 U.S. students receiving a Fulbright award through the Killam Fellowships Program to travel to Canada during the upcoming academic year.

“It’s really rewarding and amazing that they picked me,” said Genna, who is from Groveland and will attend the University of Ottawa for the fall semester. “I’m very excited.”

ɫ��Ƶ is one of the program's 16 founding partners among American universities. Administered by Fulbright Canada, Killam fellowships support American undergraduates studying in Canada and Canadian students attending college in the U.S. Several Bridgewater students previously received fellowships and ɫ��Ƶ regularly hosts Canadian students.

“It’s a very prestigious award. It’s a highly selective process,” said Dr. Andrew Holman, a history professor who coordinates the Canadian Studies program. “It’s a real feather in our cap.”

Holman said Bridgewater’s Killam success speaks to the quality of ɫ��Ƶ students – and Genna is no exception.

“She strikes me as a self-starter, someone who doesn’t need a lot of prodding,” said Holman, who also highlighted her self-confidence. “She’s going to make a great ambassador for Bridgewater State.”

Genna praised Holman’s guidance in reviewing a personal statement she wrote for the fellowship application process. Study Abroad Coordinator Emma Lynch and part-time Canadian Studies faculty member Eric Weeks also provided invaluable support, Genna said.

“Bridgewater as a school has amazing opportunities,” she said. “It’s clear that they care about their students and want to set them up to succeed.”

Although Genna has family living in Canada and previously visited the country, this will be a unique experience.

“When they hear Canada, people think it’s just like America. But there are a lot of differences,” said Genna, who will be studying at a French-English bilingual university. “I’m excited to learn more French.”

At the University of Ottawa, she will take classes in criminal justice and political science (her ɫ��Ƶ major and minor, respectively), as well as film.

She also plans to join clubs, just as she has done at Bridgewater. Genna served as an orientation leader and is a member of ɫ��Ƶ Dance Company. She works for the EXCEL Program and is part of Best Buddies, two organizations that support people with intellectual disabilities and have shaped her career interests.

Genna is eager to explore Ottawa’s cultural attractions and historic government buildings and travel within Canada. The fellowship offers a mobility grant in addition to the main $6,000 award, which Genna said makes studying abroad possible without adding an extra financial burden on her family.

“It’s a really big honor and exciting that I get to represent Bridgewater in another country,” she said.

Do you have a ɫ��Ƶ story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu.

Bridgewater as a school has amazing opportunities. It’s clear that they care about their students and want to set them up to succeed.

Genna Symonds, ’25

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Fulbright

Study Abroad

Photo by Grace Small

Alumna Earns Fulbright

BBENSON@bridgew.edu — Tue, 26 Apr 2022 15:33:16 +0000

Alumna Earns Fulbright BBENSON@bridgew.edu Tue, 04/26/2022 - 11:33

Riley Lathrop, ’20, uses movement to teach language

April 28, 2022

Brian Benson

As an undergraduate, Riley Lathrop, ’20, studied how dance and movement aid in the teaching of English to non-native speakers. Now her innovative research has landed her a spot in a prestigious international academic exchange program.

The ɫ��Ƶ graduate will spend the 2022-2023 academic year in Taiwan through the Fulbright Program’s English Teaching Assistant initiative.

“I wouldn’t have wanted to apply for this without the dance major (at ɫ��Ƶ),” said Lathrop, who is from Northampton and minored in management. “My professors really helped me in guiding me in this very niche research I was doing.”

She is the sixth ɫ��Ƶ student or alumnus since 2017 to receive one of the U.S. State Department’s highly competitive Fulbright Awards for research or teaching. While they come from different disciplines, these Fulbright recipients all took advantage of ɫ��Ƶ’s undergraduate research.

“The ethos on campus is one of really high-quality research and scholarship, including by undergraduate students doing work much closer to that of graduate students,” said Dr. Jenny Shanahan, assistant provost for high-impact practices. “That’s only possible with excellent faculty mentorship.”

What made Lathrop such a strong candidate was, in part, her aptitude for research as an undergraduate, which led her to spending five weeks in Indonesia volunteering to teach English to second graders.

“She had that distinctive idea that we are beings who learn by moving,” Shanahan said. “By incorporating dance and movement pedagogy into language learning, she’s creating a more accessible way to learn the language.”

Lathrop praised the extensive support she received from Shanahan and Student Scholars Coordinator Sean Maguire in guiding her through the application process. Dance faculty Donna Dragon, Jody Weber and Kristy Kuhn Donnelly wrote letters of recommendation.

“I’m very grateful, but I’m not surprised because Bridgewater is so supportive of students,” she said. “I’ll always have a connection with Bridgewater.”

In Taiwan, Lathrop will assist an English teacher, though she doesn’t know yet what grade level. No matter the age range, incorporating creative movement improves students’ emotional well-being, she said.

“I definitely want to integrate movement because learning English as a foreign language can be very emotionally draining and come with a lot of pressures,” she said.

She might use rhythm to teach youngsters syllables or dance moves to help middle schoolers understand a poem.

Fulbright recipients act as cultural ambassadors for the U.S. Lathrop looks forward to learning the Mandarin language and Taiwanese dances and maybe even teaching dance while abroad.

“It’s definitely a challenge and different, but I feel like this is the perfect time,” she said. “I’m ready for all this newness and all of the unknown.”

Do you have a ɫ��Ƶ story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu.

I wouldn’t have wanted to apply for this without the dance major. My professors really helped me in guiding me in this very niche research I was doing.

Riley Lathrop, ’20

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Fulbright

Alumni Profile

Double Bear Earns Fulbright

BBENSON@bridgew.edu — Fri, 22 May 2020 17:32:16 +0000

Double Bear Earns Fulbright BBENSON@bridgew.edu Fri, 05/22/2020 - 13:32

Jorgelina Uribe will teach next year in Brazil

May 25, 2020

Brian Benson

Jorgelina Uribe, ’13, G’19, is a cultural ambassador. Even the COVID-19 pandemic can’t stop her from building bridges while teaching abroad.

“I feel really passionate about language education,” the ɫ��Ƶ graduate said.

Uribe, who works in a Peruvian school, has received a prestigious Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship. She will serve in a Brazilian teacher’s college starting in early 2021 (provided the program isn’t canceled by the pandemic).

“This is a great opportunity and something I worked hard for along with Bridgewater staff,” said Uribe, who aims to promote cross-cultural connections and help Brazilians tell their stories.

Her own story showcases the diversity the United States is known for. An immigrant from the Dominican Republic, she was the only English language learner in her fourth-grade class. The native Spanish speaker became fluent in English by middle school and has studied Latin, Portuguese and Mandarin.

At ɫ��Ƶ, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and a master’s degree in teaching English to speakers of other languages. She expanded her horizons by studying abroad and meeting students of various nationalities. She also taught in Mozambique through the Peace Corps.

“That for me was truly life changing,” she said.

Uribe is among five Bridgewater graduates who have received a Fulbright award in recent years. Her background is a perfect fit for the program, which seeks to foster mutual understanding among nations.

“That really broad experience from Massachusetts to Mozambique to her study abroad travels, it shows she’s very open and very flexible,” said Sean Maguire, student scholars coordinator at ɫ��Ƶ. “She wants to learn about other cultures.”

Uribe found her current job while traveling in Peru. Leaders at Montessori International in Trujillo contacted her after seeing her resume.

She had only taught for a couple weeks when the school moved instruction online because of the pandemic. Now, she relies on her experience as a student in online Bridgewater classes to design effective remote learning activities. Her fellow educators are supportive, even bringing food to her doorstep.

“I have felt very lucky and very supported by my colleagues,” she said. “There are good people everywhere.”

Do you have a ɫ��Ƶ story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu.

“I feel really passionate about language education. ... This is a great opportunity and something I worked hard for along with Bridgewater staff."

Jorgelina Uribe, ’13, G’19

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Fulbright

ɫ��Ƶ Recognized for Fulbright Recipients

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 15:35:58 +0000

ɫ��Ƶ Recognized for Fulbright Recipients Anonymous Thu, 01/09/2020 - 10:35

University named one of top Fulbright-producing institutions

February 12, 2019

Brian Benson

Story Series

News Feature

Several years ago, you’d be hard pressed to find ɫ��Ƶ students considering applying for a prestigious U.S. Department of State Fulbright grant. Now, ɫ��Ƶ is one of the country’s top Fulbright-producing institutions.

With three recipients , Bridgewater is among the top 19 schools in its category, according to an analysis by the Department of State for the 2018-2019 academic year. ɫ��Ƶ is in a category of schools that award master’s degrees but are not viewed as research institutions.

“This is a thrilling accomplishment for the institution and that’s mainly because it’s showing that what we’re promising is what we’re achieving,” said Dr. Jenny Shanahan, assistant provost for high-impact practices. “We’re telling our students and our prospective students that we are committed to providing the most outstanding educational opportunities available in higher education.”

Daniela Belice, ’18, who majored in political science and sociology, is researching the economic integration of immigrant health care workers in Canada. Mikayla Cote, ’17, is studying wastewater technology in Cambodia and Danielle Lopez, ’17, is teaching English and after-school science lessons in Malaysia. Cote and Lopez both majored in biology at ɫ��Ƶ. Five other students applied for a Fulbright.

Their accomplishments show Bridgewater can match the experiences students have at private universities that are out of reach financially for many ɫ��Ƶ students, Shanahan said.

She credits ɫ��Ƶ’s strong undergraduate research program and faculty mentors. Sometimes a nudge from faculty and staff will encourage a student to apply for an opportunity such as the Fulbright Program that they didn’t know was even a possibility.

“The commitment has been to get the word out to students,” Shanahan said. (Story by Brian Benson, University News & Video)

Do you have a ɫ��Ƶ story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu.

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Meet Bridgewater’s Three Fulbrights

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 15:35:58 +0000

Meet Bridgewater’s Three Fulbrights Anonymous Thu, 01/09/2020 - 10:35

Young scholars set to travel abroad for teaching and research

April 27, 2018

John Winters

Story Series

News Feature

This year, ɫ��Ƶ celebrates the achievements of three young women who have been honored by the Fulbright Program. Here are their stories.

Danielle J. Lopez, ’17, is proof that one small decision can change your life.

Ms. Lopez was contemplating applying to the Fulbright Program, but after a day of classes she didn’t feel like attending an information session held on campus.

“It’s crazy because I almost did not go,” she recalled.

But, Ms. Lopez, who earned a bachelor of science degree in biology, attended the information session and a weeklong Fulbright preparation “boot camp” that followed. She applied and learned recently she is receiving a Fulbright Teaching Assistantship.

She will spend much of 2019 in a Malaysian secondary school assisting English teachers and leading after-school science-education activities. She will serve as a cultural ambassador, and work to promote mutual understanding between the people of the United States and Malaysia.

Ms. Lopez, who is from New Bedford and aspires to become a dentist, couldn’t contain her excitement when she found out – via email while at a gas station of all places – that she’d received a Fulbright. Though nervous about her upcoming international journey, she is also thrilled to live in Malaysia and experience everyday life there.

“I want to go to a country that is majority Muslim,” she said. “That’s a culture I’ve always wanted to understand. … I’m sure I will grow to love their culture and share it back here.”

Ms. Lopez, who began her higher education journey at Bristol Community College, said Bridgewater State always feels like home, from the dining halls to the dorms to classes. Faculty and staff care and want to help students, she said.

Her journey to receiving a Fulbright, meanwhile, underscores the importance of trying.

“People will tell you because it’s so selective, don’t apply for it,” she said. “Apply for it. Apply because you can and if you don’t apply you’ll never know. It really takes one moment to change your path.”

Daniela Belice, ’18, did not know English when she immigrated to the United States after an earthquake devastated her home city of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in 2010.

But Daniela did not let that slow her down. She learned the language, graduated from Brockton High School in 2014 and is preparing to graduate this spring from ɫ��Ƶ, where she is majoring in sociology and political science and minoring in Spanish and civic education and community leadership.

She also wants to give back to the immigrant community by easing the transition for people who come to the United States.

“Immigrants, when they come here, don’t have knowledge about laws, or who to go to when they need help,” she said. “I want to work to help to better the lives of immigrants.”

One step along that journey will take her to Ryerson University in Canada, where she will study the economic integration of immigrant health care workers and pursue a master’s degree. She will travel to Canada for the 2018-2019 academic year thanks to a Fulbright Research Grant. While north of the border, she also plans to volunteer at Toronto’s Access Center for Internationally Educated Health Professionals and the Toronto Regional Immigrant Employment Council.

She hopes to use her research to educate policymakers in the United States.

“I decided to do this topic because I’m an immigrant,” said Daniela, who lives in Brockton. “I’ve always had a passion to serve immigrants.”

ɫ��Ƶ provided her with the opportunity to research, travel and volunteer. She praised the university’s supportive faculty members, including Dr. Norma Anderson, who encouraged her to apply for a Fulbright.

“The school has impacted me in so many ways,” she said.

Daniela is not sure where she wants to work after completing the Fulbright. But, she is certain she wants to make a difference.

“I will definitely go to a place where I’m needed,” she said. “I want to make an impact. I want to see the direct result of my work.”

Mikayla Cote, ’17, has a yen for Cambodia.

Ms. Cote traveled to the Southeast Asian nation three times as a ɫ��Ƶ undergraduate, including working on wastewater systems.

“The culture was really striking to me,” she said. “It’s just a beautiful culture and the people were so kind. It was truly mesmerizing to see the different places.”

Now, the Plymouth resident is preparing to spend about 10 months in Phnom Penh through a Fulbright Research Grant. She will build and test a wastewater reactor with support from Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia and Wetlands Work! Ltd. The research seeks to improve public health and the environment, with the hope that it can be applied globally.

“I also want to get really involved in the community,” said Ms. Cote, who would like to raise awareness in Cambodia about the importance of clean water and sanitation.

Ms. Cote, who studied biology at ɫ��Ƶ after transferring from the University of Massachusetts-Boston, applied for a Fulbright before and was not selected. She credited Dr. Jenna Mendell with encouraging her to apply again.

“I love science. That was my degree,” said Ms. Cote, who would like to study microbiology in graduate school. “Another part of me really liked the Fulbright because of its mission of (fostering) mutual understanding between two different countries.”

She hopes to raise awareness in the United States about what is happening with wastewater and drinking water in places such as Cambodia.

She said she is motivated to keep visiting Cambodia by Cambodians’ attitudes.

“You don’t want to go to a place and seem like you’re pushing your beliefs on them,” she said. In Cambodia, “people are very welcoming with what you’re doing and interested in learning about water.” (Story by Brian Benson, University News)

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Fulbright

Adam Costa, ’17, Earns Fulbright

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 15:35:58 +0000

Adam Costa, ’17, Earns Fulbright Anonymous Thu, 01/09/2020 - 10:35

Political science major will continue research in the United Kingdom

April 3, 2017

John Winters

Story Series

News Feature

Earlier this month, if patrons of the Bear’s Den heard an excited student making a ruckus, it may well have been Adam Costa. The reason for the outburst? He’d just received the email telling him he’d earned a Fulbright award that will allow him to spend a year working on his research in Manchester, England.

“It’s a dream come true,” the Rochester resident said. “I’d been waiting to find out for so long. I was literally freaking out.”

Adam, who will graduate in May as a Commonwealth Honors Student with a degree in political science (and a concentration in public administration), will use the Fulbright to begin a master’s program in politics at the University of Manchester, and continue the comparative research he started at ɫ��Ƶ on youth violence reduction programs in Manchester and Massachusetts. His Fulbright year will begin in September.

“Adam’s selection is truly remarkable,” said Dr. Deborah Nemko, who is a professor of music but also serves as Bridgewater’s Fulbright program adviser. The number of Fulbright awards for ɫ��Ƶ students and alumni has been on the rise in the past few years.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program received a record 10,000 applications during this latest round.

Adam recalled all the work that went into his application and the attendant essay. He credited many ɫ��Ƶ faculty members and administrators with helping him earn the award.

“They had a huge impact,” he said. “You know that saying, ‘It takes a village?’ Bridgewater is that village.”

Professor Nemko echoed this sentiment.

“The Fulbright award is the result of a community of supportive mentors and several months of hard work and quite a lot of sleepless nights on the part of Adam and his crew,” she said.

She cited the efforts of Amy Couto; Honors Program Director Teresa King; recommenders Jason Edwards and Melinda Tarsi; campus evaluation team members Khadija Monk and Wendy Wright; and fellowship advisory board members including Dean Paula Krebs, Alba Aragon, James Crowley, Diana Fox, Saritha Nellutla, Magaly Ponce, Jenifer Sarver, Ellen Scheible, Jenny Shanahan and Wing-kai To.

Adam also expressed his gratitude to former Ambassador Vern Penner, who serves as ɫ��Ƶ’s diplomat in residence.

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Economics Professor Earns Fulbright

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 15:35:58 +0000

Economics Professor Earns Fulbright Anonymous Thu, 01/09/2020 - 10:35

Award will allow Dr. Madhavi Venkatesan to lecture in Philippines

February 8, 2017

John Winters

Story Series

News Feature

Dr. Madhavi Venkatesan will be heading to the Philippines for a brief lecture tour later thanks to a Fulbright-SyCip Distinguished Lecturing Award.

The 2017-18 Fulbright U.S. Scholar grant will provide the assistant professor of economics – who also serves as a faculty fellow for external affairs and a consultant for the Center of Economic Education — with the opportunity to deliver sustainable economic development lectures at major universities and organizations in the Philippines.

“For me, I’m really focused on sustainable economic development, and this furthers my ability to have another leverage point to share my passion,” said Dr. Venkatesan. “I don’t think you can be an academic without being an activist, and here, you get an opportunity to share your activism.”

The Fulbright Scholar Program is a diplomacy initiative sponsored by the United States Department of State, with funding from Congress.

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and aims to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and residents of other countries, according to Fulbright Scholarship Board Chairman Jeffrey Bleich.

On the roster of former Fulbright alumni are 58 Nobel laureates, 82 Pulitzer Prize winners, 31 MacArthur Fellows and 16 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients.

Dr. Venkatesan’s lectures will be arranged by the Philippine-American Educational Foundation.

Dr. Venkatesan credited the support of fellow ɫ��Ƶ faculty Dr. Brian Frederick, Dr. Maggie Lowe and Dr. Dan Lomba as being crucial to her application process.

In addition to leading lectures in Manila and other cities, Dr. Venkatesan will have the opportunity to mentor students and engage with other academics in the Philippines. (Story by Charlie Peters, University News & Media)

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Fulbright

Fulbright

North Toward Success

Alumna Earns Fulbright

Double Bear Earns Fulbright

ɫ����Ƶ Recognized for Fulbright Recipients

Meet Bridgewater’s Three Fulbrights

Adam Costa, ’17, Earns Fulbright

Economics Professor Earns Fulbright

ɫ��Ƶ Recognized for Fulbright Recipients