Eight students named Fulbright finalists

Eight University of North (UNG) students were named Fulbright finalists this spring, and six are set to travel to destinations in Europe and Asia. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program will allow these students to meet, work, live with and learn from the people of their host country.  These UNG's Fulbright finalists will serve as English teaching assistant in their respective countries. 

Cumming, Georgia native Olivia Bock will be in Bavaria, Germany, this fall thanks to the program. Bock earned a degree in elementary and special education. 

"My goal is to just soak up as much as possible while I am there. I want to learn about Germany and its culture and experience as much as I possibly can," Bock said. "I also desire to share my own culture with the students I will teach, inspire them and make an impact."  

Other Fulbright awardees include:   

• Audrey Gleason, who earned a degree in English, will be in Germany.  
• Julianne Branham, who earned a degree in modern languages with a concentration in Spanish language and literature, will be in South Korea.  
• Madison Brown, who earned a degree in English, will be in South Korea. 
• Emily Cain, who earned a degree in secondary education, received the award to be in Taiwan but is unable to take up the grant. 
• Rae-Lynn Cifizzari, who is pursuing a degree in Chinese, will be in Taiwan. 
• Safyrah Jean, who earned a degree in modern languages with a concentration in Spanish language and literature, will be in Spain. 
• Elena Roberts, who earned a degree in history, will be in South Korea after originally being an alternate.

UNG students selected as Fulbright Alternates include:   

• Ramiro Ferreyra Salgado, who earned degrees in physics and cybersecurity, would go to Germany if selected to earn an Master of Arts.  
• Alaina Whitmore, who is pursuing a degree in kinesiology, would go to Peru if selected. 

The Fulbright is a prestigious, highly competitive fellowship that enables recent graduates and graduate students to pursue research, earn a graduate degree or teach English overseas. It is designed to increase mutual understanding between U.S. citizens and residents of more than 160 foreign countries, according to the Fulbright website.  

"Each of our Fulbright applicants and finalists continue to demonstrate what UNG is well known for: enhancing our students’ expert global leadership skills," Dr. Anastasia Lin, assistant vice president for Academic Affairs, said. "The hard work of our students and their mentors is evident in our continuing success in pursuing Fulbright awards. We are so excited for our selected finalists who will soon embark on transformational experiences where they can 

further develop their leadership and support the Fulbright mission of building mutual understanding between the US and other countries." 

Students interested in learning more about the Fulbright program should contact the Nationally Competitive Scholarships office at ncs@ung.edu for more information.