Fulbright Offers Students Opportunities for International Study and Research

By Rachel Judy

June 13, 2012

Real life stories of culture, people and life changing experiences. This is the heart of the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, explained Dr. Emilyn Cabanda, associate professor in Regent University's School of Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship.
Cabanda—originally from the Philippines—is a product of the Fulbright student program. "I found the Fulbright program to be personally and professionally rewarding because it provided more than academic excellence," Cabanda said. "As a Fulbrighter, you are required not only to maintain academic excellence, but you are required to be an ambassador of goodwill of your home country to the United States."

Now that she is a faculty member at Regent, Cabanda is eager for her students to know more about the opportunities a Fulbright scholarship can offer. She even spoke at a workshop held earlier this year that was designed to introduce students to Fulbright opportunities.

The workshop was sponsored by Regent University's Office of Global Affairs (OGA).

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards approximately 1,500 grants annually and currently operates in more than 150 countries worldwide. Grants fall into three general categories: study/research, English teaching assistantships and travel-only.

While Cabanda's Fulbright brought her to the United States to study at Baylor University, American students under the program fulfill their grants abroad.

"Students need to experience learning, researching and working in an international environment," said Dr. Almarie Munley, assistant professor in the School of Undergraduate Studies and Regent's Fulbright advisor. "Those who graduate from a student Fulbright program have an opportunity to leverage their career opportunities while continuing to build their global knowledge base. The Fulbright program is recognized around the world as one of the finest and most competitive student programs offered."

The 2012-13 Fulbright competition opened Tuesday, May 1. OGA will offer information sessions for students in the Fall and Spring terms.

To learn more about the program, visit Regent's Fulbright website.