Adam Beaser, who will receive an MFA in fiction from the University of Iowa in May 2022, is the winner of a Fulbright Study/Research grant in Creative Writing to Hungary for 2022-23.

Adam Beaser

Hometown:  New York, New York
Award: 2022-23 Fulbright Study/Research grant in Creative Writing to Hungary
Degree: MFA in fiction

Could you give me a brief synopsis of what you'll be doing with your Fulbright?
I will be going to Hungary to research and write a novel that incorporates sections of my grandfather’s unpublished memoir about growing up as a Jewish prodigy violinist in Hungary and Romania during the Holocaust. He studied at the renowned Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest.

What drew you to this field of study?
In my writing, I’ve always been interested in music as a creative endeavor. I’ve also been interested in the intersection of art and politics.  

How do you envision this will influence your life/future career?
I’m looking forward to having space to write my novel, while also making lifelong connections abroad.  

What advice do you have for future students interested in applying for a Fulbright? or What experiences at the UI inspired you to pursue a Fulbright? 
My advice would be to leverage all the great resources the University of Iowa provides for Fulbright applicants. And start your application process early!  

Are there individuals (professors, mentors, etc.) you'd like to thank for their investment in this process?   
I’d like to thank Jamel Brinkley, Sam Chang, Allison Stanger, and Karen Wachsmuth.

You were also the recipient of a Stanley Award for International Research, do you think that experience in any way contributed to your success as a Fulbright applicant?  
The Stanley Award was invaluable in helping me prepare for my Fulbright application. It gave me the time and space to develop the project that would eventually become my Fulbright application. Unfortunately, due to COVID, I was not able to travel to Hungary on the grant. But it was still tremendously helpful.

Explore the many funding opportunities open to UI students and alumni

Students are encouraged to begin their funding searches and applications at least six months to one year in advance.  Schedule an advising appointment with Karen Wachsmuth to discuss your interest in an international fellowship or begin an application (as a UI undergraduate student, graduate student, or alumna/us).