USC Dornsife Rich in Fulbrights

USC was one of the top producers of Fulbright Student Grant recipients among U.S. research institutions for the 2013-14 academic year, according to the Fulbright Program, the government’s international educational exchange program.

The top Fulbright-producing institutions were highlighted in the Oct. 28 edition of The Chronicle of Higher Education.

“This latest distinction indicates USC’s continuing ascent as a global university,” Executive Vice Provost Michael Quick said. “We are pleased to see our students applying their talents worldwide through the Fulbright program, and we hope to see many more participate in the future.”

Twelve current and recently graduated USC students — most from USC Dornsife — received 2013-14 Fulbright awards to study, conduct research on a number of disciplines or teach English for one academic year in one of more than 150 participating countries around the world.

USC’s recipients come from various departments, including biological sciences, communication, comparative literature, creative writing, English, fine arts, French, history, philosophy, international relations, political science, psychology and sociology. The fellows are spending their grant years in India, Italy, Kiribati, Laos, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Thailand and Vietnam.

One of this year’s Fulbright fellows is USC Dornsife’s Travis Glynn, who is currently working in India as an English teaching assistant (ETA).

“Serving as a Fulbright ETA has allowed me to engage with Indian culture and American-Indian relations in a way not afforded by reading a textbook,” Glynn said. “While I’m helping my students to strengthen their foreign language skills and learn about American culture, I’m learning to see India through their eyes and experiencing India’s rich diversity and cultural and religious traditions firsthand.”

Glynn previously spent time in India studying Urdu through the Critical Language Scholarship. He hopes to gain further experience working with Indian citizens, and aspires to enter the U.S. Foreign Service to strengthen U.S.-India Relations. He graduated May 2013 with a major in international relations and minors in cultural anthropology, German, and international policy and management..

“I can honestly say that serving as a Fulbright ETA has been one of the most impactful experiences in my life,” he said.

The number of Trojans who apply for the award continues to grow each year. More than 90 applications were submitted for the current competition cycle.

The Office of Academic & International Fellowships administers the Fulbright Program at USC. According to Noosha Malek, director and Fulbright Program adviser, the office hosts information sessions and advises applicants throughout the year.

“The Fulbright program plays a vital role in facilitating global dialogue. We are proud that many USC students can be a part of this important cultural institution,” Malek said.

Since its inception in 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided more than 325,000 participants — chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential — with the opportunity to exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns. In the past 66 years, more than 44,000 students from the United States have benefited from the Fulbright experience.