Thirteen University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign students and recent graduates were offered Fulbright grants to pursue international education, research, and teaching experiences around the globe this coming year. 

Among the recipients is Nicole Park, who graduated in May with degrees in molecular and cellular biology and food science and human nutrition; the latter is part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES). 

Park will teach in Taiwan and believes this experience will help her enhance her communication skills. She plans to become a physician and has worked as a resident assistant and a pre-health advisor at the U. of I. A participant in the Campus Honors Program, she is also a James Scholar. Park attended Prospect High School in Arlington Heights.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program builds international relationships to help solve global challenges. This flagship international educational exchange program of the U.S. government awards grants to students based on their academic and professional achievement, as well as their ambassadorial skills and leadership potential. The Fulbright student program will fund approximately 2,100 U.S. citizens to live abroad for the 2023-24 academic year.

​​​​“Fulbrights continue to have universal cachet,” said Ken Vickery, director of fellowships in the Graduate College. “They’re recognized the world over as representing scholarly excellence, cross-cultural bridge building, and integrity, and I know that our awardees will maximize the phenomenal opportunity that these grants allow.”

The priority deadlines for Fulbright scholarship applications are approaching: June 26 for undergraduate students and recent alumni, and June 5 for current graduate students.

Read more about the other awardees from the Illinois News Bureau.