Fulbright Students 2024-2025

JaKyah Beatty - Ghana
JaKyah Beatty, a 2024 alumna with a Master of Public Policy degree, received a Fulbright grant to examine the impact of textile waste production on the environment, and the transformative potential of Ghanaian innovation in response to the environmental challenges posed by fast fashion. She will also co-create, along with her affiliates at the Kokrobitey Institute, a fashion show at a post-consumer waste landfill to showcase the potential of sustainable innovation while raising awareness among fast fashion consumers of the Global North. After her Fulbright year, JaKyah aims to work in the Foreign service in Public Diplomacy or Economic Officer positions in Africa. 

Mary Dimitrov - Croatia
Mary Dimitrov, a 2021 alumna with BA degrees in Journalism and Public Policy, was selected to serve as an English Teaching Assistant in Croatia. In Croatia, she plans to help fight misinformation alongside an organization like EU DisinfoLab or Jourlab in Zagreb. During her time at UMD, Mary wrote for The Diamondback as well as several other external outlets. She also served as a coach and mentor for Girls on the Run, a nonprofit empowerment program for girls, and volunteered for HelpAgeUSA. Upon her return to the U.S., she plans to pursue a career as an education reporter. 

Joseph Engmark - India
Joseph Engmark, a PhD student in Mathematics, received a Fulbright grant to work with the Indian Statistical Institute in Kolkata, the leading center for statistical research in India, on the “capture-recapture” method, an important means of estimating population. While abroad, Joe will also volunteer as a tutor at a local school or university, building on his experience as a math teacher in the Peace Corps in Liberia and Malawi. After his Fulbright year in India, he will finish his dissertation and pursue a career in public service, working at the intersection of statistics and international understanding. 

Abigail Furman - Kosovo
Abigail Furman, a 2024 alumna with a BA in English Literature and a minor in International Development and Conflict Management, was selected as an English Teaching Assistant in Kosovo. Deeply passionate about women’s rights, she hopes to volunteer with Voice of Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptians in Kosovo, an NGO that seeks to promote employment and education for women of ethnic minorities. At UMD, Abigail was a member of Terrapin Trails Club and Sigma Tau Delta International English Honors Society. After her Fulbright experience, she aspires to pursue a graduate degree in International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law to prepare for a career in foreign relations with post conflict zones. 

Evan Gaalswyk - Colombia
Evan Gaalswyk, a 2023 alumnus with degrees in Spanish and International Relations and a minor in International Development and Conflict Management, has been selected to serve as an English Teaching Assistant in Colombia. While abroad, he hopes to build community by hosting an English conversation club and providing a space for learning and cultural exchange. During his time at UMD, Evan interned at the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) and worked in nonprofit organizations. Upon his return home, he plans to serve in the Peace Corps before pursuing a master’s degree and building a career at USAID or an NGO. 

Caterina Ieronimo - Italy
Caterina Ieronimo, a 2023 alumna with BA degrees in Arabic Studies and Gender and Sexuality in Arab Migration, was awarded a Fulbright grant to research local migrant aid efforts in Sicily, Italy. While abroad, Caterina will volunteer as a cultural mediator in Arabic and support Mediterranean Hope's work on Lampedusa. At UMD, Caterina was an opinion columnist for the Diamondback. She has also worked as a core organizer for the nonprofit organization Sanctuary DMV and for Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid Network. Upon returning to the US, she plans to continue her work with migrants with a focus on the Central Mediterranean. Afterwards, she will pursue a law degree before beginning work as an asylum lawyer.

Emily Kombe - Zambia
Emily Kombe, a 2024 alumna with a Master of Public Policy degree, with a focus on International Development, was selected to serve as an English Teaching Assistantship in Zambia. While abroad, she plans to engage with the local community by creating a performance club that explores American culture through writing, film, and music. Additionally, she would like to coach a local soccer team through Grassroot Soccer Zambia and volunteer with local public health organizations. At UMD, Emily tutored and mentored younger students through various organizations. After her Fulbright grant period, she plans to work in development, possibly with USAID, before pursuing a PhD in International Development. 

Kavya Kumaran - South Korea
Kavya Kumaran, a 2021 alumna with dual bachelor’s degrees in Accounting and Business Management, was selected as an English Teaching Assistant in South Korea. While Abroad, Kavya plans to teach English to low-income students and coach them for activities such as the Youth and Diplomacy Activism Conference. Additionally, she is excited to facilitate cultural exchange by discussing popular American and Korean TV shows, movies, and novels with her fellow teachers. At UMD, she was deeply involved in several campus organizations as a student consultant, teaching assistant, and leader. Upon her return home, Kavya plans to pursue a dual master's in education and business administration.

Sol Lee - South Korea
Sol Lee, a 2023 alumna with a BS in Anthropology, was awarded a Fulbright grant to investigate the effect of intercultural education on medical students’ medical communication and analysis. Her research will ultimately assist in the development of the medical humanities curriculum in South Korea. Aside from research, she will volunteer at the Konyang University Hospital and the Daejeon Prehistory Museum. At UMD, Sol conducted independent medical anthropology research and served as a representative for the BSOS Dean’s Student Advisory Council. After her Fulbright grant period, Sol will pursue a MD/PhD degree in psychiatry and medical anthropology. Eventually, she plans to teach humanities and social science in medical school.

Allyson McCarthy - United Kingdom
Allyson McCarthy, a 2018 alumna who double majored in Government and Politics and Arabic Studies, was awarded a Fulbright grant to pursue a Master of Science in International Security at the University of Bristol to research the intersection of gender inequality and security issues in Africa. In the UK, Allyson hopes to continue to nurture her passion for outdoors and youth sports initiatives by volunteering with local organizations, such as the Bristol Outdoors Project or local scouting organizations. During her time at UMD, she participated in various athletic clubs as a coach, camp director, and team player and captain. After her Fulbright experience, she plans to pursue a career in federal service through civilian federal positions and with the U.S. Army Reserve. 

Catherine Nguyen - Vietnam
Catherine Nguyen, a 2022 alumna with a BA in Government and Politics, International Relations concentration, was selected as an English Teaching Assistant in Vietnam. While abroad, she plans to build upon her interests in artistic expression by establishing a weekly creative writing and visual storytelling club and joining a cooking club. Additionally, she will support women's empowerment by volunteering at a local women's shelter or health center. At Maryland, Catherine was involved in the Vietnamese-Americans of Southern Maryland Association and Vietnam Society of DC. She also served as a mentor through ByeBye Anxiety ESL and a nonprofit organization called Sunflower Mission. After returning to the U.S., she hopes to obtain a master’s degree in Global Communications before pursuing a career at the State Department.

Jennifer Rubio - Taiwan
Jennifer (Jay) Rubio, who graduated in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in Government and Politics, was selected as an English Teaching Assistant in Taiwan. During her Fulbright year, Jay plans to volunteer with educational organizations such as STEP Taiwan or My Culture Connect, which aim to support and empower students from disadvantaged backgrounds. At Maryland, Jay participated in the U.S. Diplomacy concentration of the Global Fellows Program. Upon her return to the U.S., she will build on her experience in Taiwan to effectively advocate for underrepresented and marginalized students, providing them with access to global opportunities that will allow them to bridge cultural differences and make positive changes in the world.

Temma Schlesinger - Argentina
Temma Schlesinger, a 2024 alumna with a BA in Communication and minors in Spanish and Music Performance, was selected as an English Teaching Assistant in Argentina. During her Fulbright year, Temma plans to volunteer with Raices Urbanas, where she interned previously, and Centro Anne Frank, both educational organizations. She will also continue her work with representatives in Buenos Aires to help develop a sustainable tourism campaign for the Indigenous communities of Salinas Grandes. After her grant period, Temma plans to pursue a career in sustainable development with a focus on global educational access. Following this, she aims to pursue a master’s degree in sustainable global development or international education. 

Gian Carla Tavelli - Bolivia and Peru
Gian Carla Tavelli, a 2024 alumna with a BA in Studio Art, received a Fulbright grant to study the processes of producing natural dyes and their traditional applications in two indigenous communities in the Amazon Basin: the Tacana community in Bolivia and the Ashéninka community in Peru. While abroad, Gian Carla will also help local artisans develop their products for tourist markets, teach art classes, and work with community leaders to explore the possibility of composting residues and planting tree seeds in areas of deforestation. Upon her return to the U.S., Gian Carla plans to pursue a master’s or doctorate degree to deepen her understanding and application of natural dyes by indigenous cultures. 

Alyssa Taylor - South Korea
Alyssa Taylor, a 2024 alumna with a degree in Government and Politics, with an International Relations concentration, was selected to serve as an English Teaching Assistant in South Korea. While in her host country, Alyssa plans to volunteer with Liberty in North Korea, an international nonprofit and grassroots organization, where she previously served as an English tutor. She also plans to help the organization resettle North Korean refugees. At Maryland, Alyssa participated in the U.S. Diplomacy concentration of the Global Fellows Program and was a member of Language House’s Korean Cluster. Upon her return to the U.S., Alyssa will continue to strengthen her Korean language skills to prepare for a career in public diplomacy with the U.S. State Department, uplifting the voices of marginalized communities.  

Jillian Watt - Philippines
Jillian Watt, a 2021 alumna with a BS in Public Health Science and a minor in International Development and Conflict Management, received a Fulbright grant to study use of Climate Predictive Services to assist in forecasting and preventative/early intervention measures for climate-related disease outbreaks in the Philippines. During her year there, Jillian will join a women’s soccer team and will volunteer with a health-focused local NGO. At Maryland Jillian as a member of College Park Scholars’ Global Health Program and a participant in the Responses to Global Challenges concentration of the Global Fellows Program. After her Fulbright year, Jillian will pursue a master’s degree in humanitarian health, continuing to research climate-induced heath outbreaks. 

Anna Wenzel - Mexico
Anna Wenzel, a PhD student in history, received a Fulbright grant to research the underlying historical contexts and ideologies of conservative organizations within Mexico during the 1960s. While at her host institution, the Colegio de México, Anna will enroll in their International Exchange Program, where she will participate in courses with Mexican scholars and students of Latin American history from around the globe. Upon her return to the U.S., Anna will complete her dissertation and pursue a position as a professor of Latin American history or apply her Spanish language and research skills in the nonprofit sector.