We are pleased to announce that three BYU students have received Fulbright awards, allowing them to pursue learning experiences abroad after graduation through the Fulbright US Student Program.
Karyna Howell, who graduated in June 2021 with a major in Biochemistry, received a Study Award for Canada, allowing her to study for an MS in the Department of Forestry at the University of British Columbia. While there, she will be studying and researching the restoration of culturally significant species and traditional food systems.
John McHenry, who graduated in June 2023 with a double major in Middle East Studies/Arabic and Arabic Language, received an English Teaching Assistant Award for Tajikistan, where he will work at constructing bridges of understanding between Tajiks and Americans to prepare him for a career in US national security.
Ben Stone, who graduated in June 2023 with a major in Bioinformatics and a minor in Computer Science, received a Research Award for Estonia. While there, he will be researching the cardiovascular-related side effects of mental health medications and assessing what additional risks these may confer; his aim is to develop a tool that can predict whether or not a person with cardiovascular disease is likely to develop a mental health condition.
"Although applying for a Fulbright can seem like a daunting task, our recipients this year demonstrate that BYU students are competitive in all areas of the competition," says James Mayo, scholarships coordinator at the Kennedy Center. "For US students, Fulbright offers three kinds of awards abroad: teaching English, conducting research, and enrolling in a graduate program. This year all three of those award types are represented in our recipients."
BYU's success in Fulbright applications is due in part to the high caliber of students at the university and in part to the application assistance provided at the Kennedy Center. Mayo encourages anyone interested to consider applying, even if they've already graduated. "We work with both students and alumni," he says, "as both are eligible to apply for Fulbright at any point before receiving a doctorate degree. We are more than happy to work with any alumni who are interested in applying."
Interested in applying? The campus application deadline is 5 September, and more information can be found here. "Anyone," says Mayo, "whether a rising senior or an alum, should consider applying for a Fulbright to help further their career aspirations and to make lasting cultural connections with another part of the world that will last a lifetime."