Contributing Writer
Lydia Emory, a senior at Hood College, was recently awarded a Fulbright scholarship, a grant that enables her to spend time in a foreign country of her choice.
All “Fulbrighters,” a common slang for award winners, share a strong academic background, exhibit great leadership potential, and possess a passion for increasing cultural acceptance and understanding between different nations.
Emory will be teaching and assisting with English in a Spanish classroom in Madrid, Spain’s targeted Fulbright area. Tackling a double major in Spanish and Global Studies has prepared Emory for this endeavor.
Emory is familiar with the idea of travel. She has already spent a semester in Seville, Spain, a month in Seoul, South Korea and has ventured to various other locations.
Lydia Emory chose Spain because of how enamored she became with the country during a previous visit. However, her participation in the Fulbright program will differ greatly from her prior study abroad experience.
Emory will undertake more responsibilities with her job abroad. She will not have a host family as housing is covered by the grant, so she must assimilate into the culture and ways of life without guidance.
She must also obtain her own Spanish bank account and mobile carrier, allowing her to demonstrate the independent skills that she has acquired through years of work.
Despite Emory’s thrill to return to Spain, she is also aware of the many challenges she will face in teaching high school aged students not much younger than herself. Emory looks forward to the challenge of gaining the respect of her students during her journey abroad.
Emory urges young students to look into the Fulbright program as she said they can just as easily reach such accomplishments like her own. Emory will be representing the United States for a highly accredited program at only twenty-two years old and will be the first Hood student since 2007, as well as one of eleven from all of Hood College history, to receive this honor.
Fellow senior and friend, Ian Jenkins, said: “Lydia represents a part of the college community that isn’t very much represented. She advocates for both local and international students and is a shining beacon for change and influence to international studies. She is an intelligent individual and dedicates her life to her studies and goals while managing to balance her social life, friends, and family.”
Emory will return to the United Stated after June of 2017. At that time, she is eligible to reapply for another Fulbright grant.
Emory’s Fulbright scholar title could provide exposure for future career opportunities.
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