St. Olaf among top producers of U.S. Fulbright students
St. Olaf College is one of the top producers of Fulbright fellows among liberal arts colleges across the nation.
Last spring 13 recent St. Olaf graduates were named Fulbright fellows for 2019–20, putting the college on a list of colleges and universities that produced the most fellows this year. St. Olaf joins Bates, Bowdoin, Middlebury, and Smith colleges in the top five baccalaureate institutions on this year’s list.
Each year the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) announces the top producing institutions for the Fulbright Program, the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program. The Chronicle of Higher Education publishes the lists annually.
Of the 13 St. Olaf graduates who are currently abroad on their Fulbright fellowship, three are using their awards to conduct research and 10 are performing English teaching assistantships.
“Fulbright is a tremendous opportunity that provides funds for recent graduates to conduct research, attend graduate school, and teach English abroad. The fact that St. Olaf is a top producer is due, in part, to the resources that the college allocates for Fulbright, including the faculty and staff volunteer time spent reading personal statements, interviewing students, and discussing research and teaching plans,” says Associate Professor of Education Heather Campbell, who serves as the co-director of external fellowships (Fulbright) and scholarships. “Globally engaged Oles are a perfect fit for the mission of Fulbright — to promote mutual understanding among nations.”
Fulbright is a tremendous opportunity that provides funds for recent graduates to conduct research, attend graduate school, and teach English abroad. The fact that St. Olaf is a top producer is due, in part, to the resources that the college allocates for Fulbright.Associate Professor of Education Heather Campbell
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.