Out of six applicants, Concordia had four students receive scholarships. Seniors Toby Kindem, Alexandra Rankin, Hannah Allen and McKayle Carter have received Fulbright awards.
Fulbright coordinator and professor of English Dr. Jonathan Steinwand says nationally about 20% of applicants are funded and Concordia had 66% of applicants funded.
“I’m pleased with the results and I’m proud of these Fulbrighters,” Steinwand says. “Our World Language programs in particular deserve a lot of credit.”
Kindem, a K-12 German education major, was awarded an English Teaching Award to Germany and will be going to Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony). He has studied in Germany in the region in which he will be working. He’s excited about having a head start knowing the dialect of the area.
Rankin’s English Teaching Award to Taiwan will take her to either Kaohsiung or Taipei – her city will be selected later this summer.
“I am so grateful for this opportunity,” Rankin says. “I am excited to continue to improve my Chinese and also learn more about Taiwanese culture. I am also looking forward to learning more about the Taiwanese school system by working alongside Taiwanese teachers.”
Allen was awarded a Study/Research Award in Music Therapy and is going to be studying at SRH University in Heidelberg, Germany, pursuing a master’s degree in music therapy. She first went to Germany in 2017 for a year abroad and enjoyed the German culture and lifestyle.
Carter has been awarded an English Teaching Assistant Award to Bavaria, Germany. She spent a year in Germany during her sophomore year.
“I’m excited to have another opportunity to work on my German language skills, as well as to educate students on the importance of cultural awareness and diversity,” she says.
Every year, approximately 10,000 students apply for 2,000 awards worldwide in all fields of study and in over 140 countries. More than 380,000 Fulbrighters from the U.S. and other countries have participated in the program since it was established in 1946.
Photo (from left): Hannah Allen, McKayle Carter, Toby Kindem, Alexandra Rankin