Three graduates from the University of Montana have been granted the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship, affording them the opportunity to conduct research or teach abroad this year.
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program selects individuals for placements in one of 140 countries worldwide, facilitating their academic and personal growth through graduate study, research, or teaching English. Over 100 UM students and alumni have received Fulbright awards in 50 countries to date.
Kylla Benes, director of the UM Office of External Scholarships and Fellowships, commended this year’s UM graduates, noting their significant contributions to their fields of study and their communities in Missoula.
“UM’s emphasis on experiential learning combined with its world-class education sets our candidates apart for prestigious scholarships like the Fulbright,” Benes remarked.
Emma Simuns, hailing from Missoula, will delve into social work in Italy as a Fulbright scholar. Having completed her master’s degree in social work this spring, Simuns will collaborate with social impact organizations in southern Italy to research program effectiveness while enrolled in the Social and Political Science Department at the University of Catania. Upon her return, Simuns intends to disseminate her findings through presentations at local social enterprise organization Missoula Works and the national social enterprise accelerator program Roberts Enterprise Development Fund.
Elizabeth Wrzesinski, a resident of Bozeman, will serve as an English teaching assistant in Taiwan, supported by her Fulbright Scholarship. Wrzesinski, who graduated this spring with a degree in media arts specializing in digital filmmaking, views this opportunity as a stepping stone towards her goal of becoming a professional filmmaker. Teaching in Taiwan holds personal significance for Wrzesinski, who was adopted from China and seeks to reconnect with her heritage. She plans to draw upon her Fulbright experience to create screenplays and films showcasing diverse narratives.
Sophia Wilder, a native of Lolo, secured her Fulbright Scholarship to explore coastal communities and regional development in Iceland. Although offered the Fulbright, Wilder declined the award to pursue a Ph.D. at the University of California, Santa Cruz. During her tenure at UM, Wilder received several accolades, including the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation Scholarship, Franke Sustainability Fellowship, and Experiential Learning Scholarships for three consecutive semesters.
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