Ten Michigan State University students and alumni were offered Fulbright U.S. Student Program grants for the 2024-25 academic year. In total, nine Spartans accepted the awards offered and will be traveling to seven different countries to conduct research or teach English during the 2024-25 academic year.  

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program and is supported by the people of the United States and partner countries around the world. 

More than 9,000 applications were submitted for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program in this cycle according to the Institute of International Education. Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected in a rigorous, merit-based competition that considers leadership potential, academic and/or professional achievement, and record of service — in addition to their potential as cultural ambassadors while abroad.

“This is a competitive program — I tell applicants to think of the application process as a one-credit class in terms of the amount of mental energy they will need to devote to putting together a compelling Fulbright application,” said Joy Campbell, MSU Fulbright Program advisor. 

The 2024-25 MSU Fulbright U.S. Student Program finalists represent six MSU colleges. 

Research project awards 

• Graham Diedrich, Greece and Bulgaria, College of Natural Science & College of Social Science  
• Katie McGraw, Malawi, College of Natural Science
• Nan Nourn, Cambodia, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources & College of Natural Science 

English teaching assistantship awards  

• Liam Donahue, Germany, James Madison College & College of Arts and Letters 
• Truman Forbes, Rwanda, James Madison College & College of Agriculture and Natural Resources 
• Zoe Pride, Switzerland, College of Arts and Letters 
• Nolan Rachocki, Switzerland, James Madison College & College of Arts and Letters 
• Xue Lin Wang ‘19, Taiwan, College of Social Science 
• Isabella Williams ‘21, Spain, College of Arts and Letters & College of Education
• Caroline Zackerman, Spain, College of Arts and Letters

Nourn’s award will support his research and collaborations with conservation non-government organizations in Cambodia.  

“While Southeast Asia is considered a global biodiversity hotspot, not much is known about basic ecology and baseline population estimates for most vertebrate species; thus, I hope to contribute to more robust and rigorous population size and distribution assessments for key species in Cambodia,” said Nourn, who is Cambodian-American. 

“Traveling back to Cambodia will also help develop cultural exchange and experiences while reconnecting with my Cambodian family, co-workers, peers and Cambodian nationals,” Nourn said. 

For Bella Williams, who graduated in 2021 with a degree in Spanish and secondary education and a minor in TESOL, the opportunity to teach in Spain is highly anticipated after her semester in Valencia, Spain was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

“I had to return to the U.S. about two months earlier than planned. It was because of my shorter-than-anticipated time there that I was inspired to return one day, thus realizing my dream to eventually teach abroad,” Williams said. “I knew I loved teaching ESL, so the English Teaching Assistantship grant offered the perfect opportunity for me to pursue my passion overseas. I selected Spain because of my love for the culture and country,”  

The Fulbright program is highly competitive with about 20% of total applicants being offered an award, though this varies greatly by host country and award type, Campbell said. “There are awards with acceptance rates lower than 1%, and others that have much better odds, so I always encourage applicants to explore all their options,” she said. 

Fulbright alumni, including over 230 Spartans, go on to have careers enriched by joining a network of thousands of esteemed alumni, many of whom are leaders in their fields.  

This story originally appeared on the International Studies and Programs website.