By: Carly Compesi, Staff Writer
With the Spring semester in full gear, more and more students are thinking about their post-graduation plans. For anyone who falls under that category, Regis University’s Dr. Eric Fretz has a suggestion: the Fulbright program.
Dr. Fretz believes the Fulbright program should be considered by students with an interest in studying or teaching in a different country. In a previous statement, Fretz said, “The Fulbright program is a post-graduate scholarship. Students are encouraged to begin the application process the fall of their senior year. Students may apply for Fulbright scholarships as many as 10 years after receiving an undergraduate degree.”
As for location, the Fulbright program’s size and sponsorship allows for scholars to travel to an impressive number of different countries. “The Fulbright program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs,” explained Fretz. “The Fulbright program is the largest U.S. international exchange program, offering opportunities for students to undertake international graduate study, advanced research and English teaching in schools and universities in over 140 countries.”
The Fulbright program offers three types of grants. The Study/Research/Academic supports students for an academic year of study at an international university. The Study/Research/Creative & Performing Arts which support students for a year of study or professional training in the arts. The English Teaching Assistantships allows students to teach English or American Studies in over 80 different foreign countries. Students are only allowed to apply to one type of grant per annual competition cycle, but they may apply to whichever type of grant best fits their interests.
As Regis University’s Fulbright Program Advisor, Dr. Fretz is responsible for facilitating students in their Fulbright application process. Recently, I interviewed Fretz to learn more about the Fulbright program.
Carly: So how do you think all scholars could benefit from Fulbright...regardless of major or interest?
Fretz: Well, that’s a good question. It’s a hard one, too. I think the benefit for anybody is the opportunity not just to travel abroad. Because the funny thing about Fulbright—it’s not just about going abroad. It’s about going abroad to participate in cultural exchange. Anybody can go abroad. Any student could get on a plane to Barcelona or wherever they want to go, and that would have it’s own benefits, but the Fulbright scholarship comes with another set of benefits, and at the root of that is an opportunity to participate in cultural exchange in a way that, frankly, you wouldn’t be able to do if you hopped on a plane to Barcelona. [While] that would be really fun, you wouldn’t have an opportunity to live and work with people from a different country. And I’ll say this, too—given the political and cultural climate of the United States right now, this is a time when the Fulbright program is probably more important than it ever has been.
Carly: What resources...or who can they reach out to if someone wants more information on Fulbright?
Fretz: Well, me. (laughs) For students who are specifically interested in Fulbright, the first step would be to go to the Regis website because that has all of my contact information on it. The Fulbright website is embedded in the Regis website, anyway. I’d start there, and I want to make it very clear that nobody should ever hesitate to contact me if they have any questions.
Carly: That’s really kind! Is there anything else that you want to touch on more specifically?
Fretz: Yeah. Fulbright has made it very clear that they want to encourage a diverse pool of applicants, so I want to be a part of that recruitment. I really want to get first generation students involved in applying and thinking about Fulbright. And students of color, obviously. Women as well. I mean, we want everybody to apply if they’re interested, but we want applicants who look like the rest of America.
For more information, visit the Regis/Fulbright site and/or contact Dr. Eric Fretz (efretz@regis.edu) for more information.