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Why did you choose to apply for this award?

I chose to do an English Teaching Assistantship in Bosnia because I felt a strong desire to connect with the culture and the people of the country. My dad is from Bosnia and my mom is Ukrainian, so when the War in Ukraine broke out, I felt a need to do something to connect with my background and help the communities that have undergone social and political turmoil. I think being a teacher is one of the most rewarding things one can do and a tangible way in which you can help individuals directly. I am excited to do this in a country that is close to my heart.

Briefly describe the work you will be doing on your fellowship.

I will be teaching English, volunteering and acting as a cultural ambassador within the community I am placed, and hopefully get the opportunity to do some extracurricular research.

What are you most looking forward to during your time as a fellow?

Connecting with the culture and the people, including improving my skills in the Bosnian language.

How have your experiences at Â鶹ƵµÀprepared you to apply for this award?

Â鶹ƵµÀprepared me to apply for this award by giving me a strong interdisciplinary background and offering me excellent opportunities along the way. Additionally, I can’t offer enough praise for the Fellowship office at Oxy; they made the application process multitudes easier and really helped me hone in on my story and what message I wanted to convey to the Fulbright committee. Additionally, going through this process helped prepare me for future grad school applications.

What advice would you give future applicants about the application process?

Really think about why you want to do a Fulbright and brainstorm a lot. It makes the writing part a whole lot easier. Additionally, take the help that Â鶹ƵµÀprovides because the feedback that you get is extremely helpful. Furthermore, going through Â鶹ƵµÀalso gives you a timeline to stick to which also helps especially if you’re busy with school, job, etc.