February 12, 2015
Amherst College is a top producer of U.S. Fulbright scholars among bachelor’s degree-granting institutions across the country, according to data released by the Fulbright Scholar Program and published in The Chronicle of Higher Education. The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program. Top-producing institutions are highlighted annually by The Chronicle.
Thirteen Amherst students and recent graduates won Fulbright awards for the 2014-2015 academic year.
“Those applying for Fulbright programs to either study, conduct research or teach gain a tremendous amount of experience while applying for the programs and during their time abroad,” said Denise Gagnon, director of fellowship advising. “Our applicants’ success is a reflection of their ability to research the different programs, write compelling personal statements and proposals, and have professors write strong letters and evaluations on their behalf.”
She added: “Fulbright creates the opportunity for a phenomenal international experience, fostered uniquely through the academics or teaching skills gained combined with the deeper connections of friendship and cross cultural understanding.”
The Fulbright competition is administered at Amherst through the Office of Fellowships and Gagnon.
Since its inception in 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided more than 360,000 participants—chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential — with the opportunity to exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns. Over 1,800 U.S. students, artists and young professionals in more than 100different fields of study are offered Fulbright Program grants to study, teach English, and conduct research annually. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program operates in over 140 countries throughout the world. Lists of Fulbright recipients are available at: www.fulbrightonline.org/us.
The Fulbright Program also awards grants to U.S. scholars, teachers and faculty to conduct research and teach overseas. In addition, some 4,000 new foreign Fulbright students and scholars come to the United States annually to study for graduate degrees, conduct research and teach foreign languages.
For more information about the Fulbright Program, visit http://eca.state.gov/fulbright.