Seven St. Olaf students and alumni were recently named semi-finalists for Fulbright scholarships. Fulbright scholarships support year-long programs for research and teaching experiences to promote intercultural relations and cultural competency across the world. Out of 8,000 scholarships given out per year, 1,600 go to U.S. students and 1,200 to U.S. scholars. The seven semi-finalist Oles contending to become finalists and receive scholarships are Ava Craven ’25, Henry Dissell ’24, Benjamin Gusdal ’25, Alia McLaughlin ’25, Penuel “Blue” Nawa ’24, Kiera O’Higgins ’25, and Jacob Wilde ’21.
The Fulbright Program was created in 1946, following the conclusion of WWII. Introduced by U.S. Senator William Fulbright of Arkansas, the program was implemented to promote peaceful relations between nations. The U.S. Congress devotes funds to the U.S. Department of State to sponsor Fulbright scholarships. Applicants can choose to apply for research awards to further their studies in a particular subject, or they can apply for English teaching assistant awards.
St. Olaf has a long history with the Fulbright Program.
“We’ve been a top producer of Fulbright grants for years,” said Political Science Professor and Director of External Fellowships Douglas Casson. “I think that’s because we have brilliant students, but also because the college as a whole has emphasized the importance of global understanding, learning languages, and exchange… I know that we have Fulbright grantees going back to the 1970s.”
The Fulbright application process is extensive. St. Olaf applicants must submit their materials in early September — near the beginning of fall semester — meaning they often start working on their personal statements and grant purpose statements in the previous spring and continue throughout the summer. Then, the Fulbright Campus Committee endorses applicants to send their materials in for the national deadline in early October.
Casson hosts “boot camp” sessions each April to help applicants prepare their materials and write cohesive statements.
“It’s really wonderful to talk to students who I wouldn’t otherwise get to meet outside of political science and who are really inspiring,” Casson said. “It’s something I’m really thankful for.”
Fulbright scholarships can provide applicants with unique opportunities to support their future endeavors. Finalist Alia McLaughlin applied to become a teaching assistant in Argentina to gain further insight on the disparities between the country’s public and private education systems.
“Through teaching, I can learn how to interact with people, how to communicate concepts in another language or another cultural context,” McLaughlin said. “Those are useful skills that I can take with me to effectively communicate with and negotiate with people from other countries.”
Benjamin Gusdal applied to further his research on the conflicting relationship between Norway’s climate goals and its fossil fuel exports.
“I intend to go to law school after the Fulbright, and I really want to work in energy or environmental policy at some point and make a difference on climate change,” Gusdal said. “I think that this program is a really great stepping stone in my vocational journey.”
Finalists for Fulbright scholarships will be chosen by respective host countries in April.
“Fulbright is definitely a really unique and exciting opportunity that I think everyone should take a shot at,” McLaughlin said. “The opportunity to be in another country, to learn about yourself, to learn about others, and keep an open mind is an experience that people should do and can do with whatever strengths and passions and experiences they may have.”
