2015 UAlbany Graduate Receives Fulbright Scholarship in South Korea

Recent UAlbany graduate Kaitlyn Gulick was selected as a Fulbright scholar for the 2015-16 academic year. She will be teaching English in South Korea as a cultural ambassador for the United States. (Photo by Mark Schmidt)

ALBANY, N.Y. (June 15, 2015) – Recent University at Albany graduate Kaitlyn Gulick is quickly transitioning, from college senior to international educator, after receiving a coveted Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Scholarship in South Korea.

A Japanese Studies major, Gulick ’15, was selected as a Fulbright grant recipient for the 2015-16 academic year. The program offers recent graduates the opportunity to teach English in foreign countries as a cultural ambassador for the United States. Recipients of grants are selected on the basis of academic and professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential.

Gulick, a native of Cohoes, N.Y., said she’s always had a passion for Eastern Asia. She studied abroad, in both Japan and South Korea, during her sophomore and junior years at UAlbany. On campus, Gulick was a member of the University’s Tae Kwon Do Club, as well as the Korean and Japanese Student Associations. She also helped develop UAlbany Cultural Connections – a club designed to bring together American and International students and explore cultural differences.

UAlbany has a growing community of more than 1,800 international students from 95 countries. Under the directive of President Robert J. Jones, the University is actively recruiting more out-of-state and international students to ensure the diversity of perspectives that equips students to succeed in today’s global society. Gulick said UAlbany’s diverse campus played a large role in her decision to attend.

Gulick (pictured above) studied abroad, in both Japan and South Korea, during her sophomore and junior years at UAlbany.

“One of the top reasons I chose to attend UAlbany was because of its international student body,” Gulick said. “I loved being exposed to so much diversity on campus. I’ve developed friendships with people from all over the world.”

Through Fulbright, Gulick will become TESOL certified (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). She leaves for South Korea on July 10 and will not return to the United States until at least July 22, 2016. Fulbright scholars have the option to extend their grant for up to three years.
While abroad, Gulick hopes to expose herself more to the unique aspects of Korean culture. Her long-term plan is to continue gaining foreign teaching experience, potentially through the English Program in Korea (EPIK).

“I am really excited to be selected as a Fulbright scholar and return back to a country I love," Gulick said. “This program gives me an incredible opportunity to continue learning about the culture of South Korea, as well as teach Korean students about the United States. I’m going to be seeing the world from an entirely different perspective.” 

Gulick is one of over 1,900 U.S. citizens who will travel abroad for the 2015-2016 academic year through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. English Teaching Fulbright applications are targeted towards the specific country of the applicant’s choice and cover the Fulbright Scholar’s living expenses in the host country as well as round trip transportation.

Current students interested in applying for the 2016 Fulbright Program should contact Danielle Leonard or Jacqueline Quevedo in the Office of International Education. For additional information on UAlbany’s study abroad program visit its official website.

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