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Sixteen University of North Georgia (Â鶹ÊÓƵ) students and alumni have been named semifinalists for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program for the 2024-25 academic year. They will learn within the next three months whether they are selected for the competitive fellowship. 

The Fulbright program enables graduates to pursue research activities, become English teaching assistants, or enroll in graduate school in other countries. It is designed to increase mutual understanding between U.S. citizens and residents of more than 160 foreign countries, according to the Fulbright website.

"I am consistently impressed by the hard work, perseverance and commitment to excellence that our students display in seeking Fulbright opportunities," Dr. Anastasia Lin, assistant vice president for Academic Affairs and director of the Nationally Competitive Scholarships office, said. "They learn so much about themselves in the application process, and now these 16 are one step closer to transformative experiences abroad where they can showcase their leadership." 

Â鶹ÊÓƵ's 2024-25 semifinalists are Olivia Bock, Gabriella Bartlett, Julianne Branham, Madison Brown, Emily Cain, Rae-Lynn Cifizzari, Ramiro Ferreyra Salgado, Audrey Gleason, 2nd Lt. Safyrah Jean, Victoria Landa, Grey Nebel, Hyunbean Park, Elena Roberts, Charlotte Sims, Nick Stoltz, and Alaina Whitmore. See more info in this full listing. 

Gleason, a senior from Alpharetta, Georgia, is pursuing a degree in English with a writing and publication concentration and minors in kinesiology and German. She said the common thread of Â鶹ÊÓƵ faculty across her disciplines is their willingness to help.  

Gleason, who started as a cross-country and track student-athlete, is grateful for the Nationally Competitive Scholarships office, especially Lin's help throughout the application process, in assisting her pursuit of the potential opportunity to teach English in Germany. She sees the possibility of a Fulbright year through the lens of her faith. 

"It's opened my eyes to other opportunities to use what I've been given to give back to people around me," Gleason said.

I am consistently impressed by the hard work, perseverance and commitment to excellence that our students display in seeking Fulbright opportunities. They learn so much about themselves in the application process, and now these 16 are one step closer to transformative experiences abroad where they can showcase their leadership

Dr. Anastasia Lin

Â鶹ÊÓƵ assistant vice president for Academic Affairs and director of the Nationally Competitive Scholarships office

"She pushed me to keep going through the application process," Ferreyra Salgado said. "Sometimes you need that person who helps you see opportunities you can have."

Bock, a senior from Cumming, Georgia, pursuing a degree in elementary and special education, said she has always had an interest in teaching abroad. After a four-week summer study abroad in Germany earlier in her time at Â鶹ÊÓƵ, she aims to gain even more independence if she earns the Fulbright to teach English in Germany.  

"I'm hoping to explore the German education system more and compare it to the American education system," Bock said.  

Madison Brown, a fall 2023 graduate from Peachtree City, Georgia, with a degree in English with a writing and publication concentration, is hoping to teach English in South Korea. A previous study abroad in the country in fall 2022 inspired Brown to apply for a Fulbright in South Korea. Brown, who earned a minor in Korean, said becoming a semifinalist has only deepened her desire to spend the 2024-25 academic year in South Korea.  

"I couldn't have done this without Â鶹ÊÓƵ," Brown said of reaching this stage. "It is such a good support system Â鶹ÊÓƵ has created for its students who are pursuing nationally competitive scholarships." 

Cadet Hyunbean Park, a senior from Suwanee, Georgia, pursuing a degree in international affairs with a European concentration, credited Lin, Dr. Victoria Hightower and Col. Bryan Kirk for supporting him in his application process to teach English in Kazakhstan. Hightower is the assistant director of the Nationally Competitive Scholarships office and a professor of history. Kirk is Â鶹ÊÓƵ's professor of military science. 

"I'm the product of the people around me," Park said. "They're always there to help you. Students should take advantage of the Nationally Competitive Scholarships office, and the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Corps of Cadets and professor of military science are super supportive of the cadets who are willing to study abroad and pursue scholarships such as Fulbright." 

Students interested in learning more about nationally competitive scholarships should contact ncs@ung.edu for more information.