Fabian Ouellet-Pinto, who will receive a MAT in English education from the University of Iowa in May 2024, is the winner of a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to Taiwan for 2024-25. 

Hometown: Iowa City, Iowa 

Degree: MA in English education 

Could you give us a brief synopsis of what you'll be doing with your Fulbright? 
I will be an English teacher at a public school in Taiwan. I will also facilitate creative writing workshops in English and share excerpts of young adult authors like Elizabeth Acevedo and Akwaeke Emezi. I hope to share the multiculturalism of the United States through literature. 

How do you envision this will influence your life/future career? 
After the Fulbright, I plan to return to the United States and teach English as a second language (ESL) in a school with a large immigrant population. Fulbright has given me the opportunity to work in a context unlike my own, which will be a great learning experience, and will provide me with the necessary skills to teach ESL in the United States. 

What advice do you have for future students interested in applying for a Fulbright? 
You have more relevant experiences than you think, and getting those experiences on the personal statement and the statement of purpose are critical. Do not be intimidated by the application, as there are plenty of professors in the process who are willing to help. Keep in mind the priority deadline! 

Were there experiences at Iowa that inspired you to pursue a Fulbright? 
I had a professor, Phillip Round, who talked about his experiences in Spain with the Fulbright, and he always spoke highly of the program. I also met other professors who received a Fulbright award, and they highlighted how it helped them with their career and other aspirations. It was in the back of my mind as an undergraduate, but I never applied during that time. When I graduated, I lived abroad and met students who did Fulbright. When I started graduate school and my advisor, Carolyn Colvin, nominated me, it felt like perfect timing, and I was more than willing to apply. 

Are there individuals you'd like to thank for their investment in this process? 
I would like to thank Carolyn Colvin, Sam Tanner, and Erika Johnson for writing recommendation letters. I couldn’t have done it without them. I would like to thank Kathleen Newman for looking at my drafts and always providing solid feedback. I would also like to thank Karen Wachsmuth and Ari Natarina-they always assisted me along the way and made the application process much more digestible. 

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International Programs (IP) at the University of Iowa (UI) is committed to enriching the global experience of UI students, faculty, staff, and the general public by leading efforts to promote internationally oriented teaching, research, creative work, and community engagement.  IP provides support for international students and scholars, administers scholarships and assistance for students who study, intern, or do research abroad, and provides funding opportunities and grant-writing assistance for faculty engaged in international research. IP shares their stories through various media, and by hosting multiple public engagement activities each year.