Psychology at St. Olaf College

Two Psychology Majors awarded Fulbrights

Kelsey Klein and Brynn Rathjen St. Olaf Psychology Majors have been named Fulbright fellows for 2013–14.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is sponsored by the Department of State and awards more than 1,500 grants to U.S. students every year. The program operates in more than 140 countries, seeking to “increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and people of other countries” and “contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns.” Program participants are chosen based on many factors, including leadership potential and academic merit. 

The Fulbright recipients and their projects:

Kelsey Klein was awarded a  study/research grant. The study/research grants are available in approximately 140 countries. Applicants for these grants design their own projects and will typically work with advisers at foreign universities or other institutes of higher education.  The title of Kelsey’s project is:  Factors Affecting Outcomes of Cochlear Implant Users in Norway and this project will investigate the factors relating to the variable outcomes of cochlear implant (CI) users in Norway. In collaboration with the University of Oslo and the Oslo University Hospital, data will be gathered through various cognitive tests and self-report surveys. The results of this project will influence the structure of clinical treatment and rehabilitation for CI users.

Brynn Rathjen was awarded an English Teaching Assistantship (ETA). This award places a Fulbrighter in a classroom abroad to provide assistance to teachers of English to non-native English-speakers. English Teaching Assistants help teach English language while serving as cultural ambassadors for U.S. culture. The age and academic level of classroom students varies by country, ranging from kindergarten to university level.  Brynn will be using her experience leading and working with children, she will be an English Teaching Assistant in Malaysia helping students develop English skills and providing American cultural knowledge. She will also get involved in community activities such as athletics or musical groups and work to connect with Malaysian culture.

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Welcome to Psychology, the science of mind and behavior. As a discipline, psychology combines natural science and social science, and the St. Olaf Psychology Department includes faculty and courses that span the breadth of psychology including behavioral and cognitive neuroscience, clinical, cultural, developmental, personality, and social psychology. We highly value both teaching and undergraduate research and have an endowment fund to support research with students. As one of the largest majors on campus, we graduate approximately 60 majors each year. Many faculty members have interdisciplinary interests as well, with connections to a variety of St. Olaf programs such as Asian Studies, Computer Science, Environmental Studies, Family Studies, International Studies, Linguistics, Neuroscience, and Women’s Studies. The Department is housed in the Regents Hall of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, a state-of-the-art facility that opened in the fall of 2008.

Many of our graduates go on to earn advanced degrees in a variety of psychological subfields (e.g., clinical, counseling, cognitive, developmental, learning, physiological, and social psychology, in addition to various areas of cognitive science, neuroscience, and primatology). Others find their major serves them well in the study of law, medicine, education, economics, or theology. Those who work in industrial research, business, or personnel also find a psychology major is good preparation for the challenges they face.