Isabel Rushton (BA global health studies ’24) is the winner of a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to Slovakia for 2025-26. Rushton is the first UI recipient of a Fulbright to Slovakia. 

Hometown: Iowa City, Iowa 

Could you give us a brief synopsis of what you'll be doing with your Fulbright? 
I’ll be assisting in teaching English to secondary school students in Slovakia. As part of my community engagement project, I plan to start an extracurricular creative writing club. I also hope to learn Slovak and volunteer with local museums and organizations that support Ukrainian refugees. 

How do you envision this will influence your life/future career? 
Fulbright is an incredible opportunity to strengthen my skills in cross-cultural communication, teaching, and project management. It’s also a chance to grow personally - building confidence and adaptability. After Fulbright, I plan to attend graduate school to study law with a focus on public health. I know the skills I gain and the connections I make in Slovakia will stay with me throughout my career. 

What advice do you have for students interested in applying for a Fulbright? 
Go for it! Take the process seriously and give yourself plenty of time to brainstorm, draft, and revise your application. Be intentional about crafting your narrative, do thorough research on your desired award and host country, and work closely with the Fulbright advising team at Iowa. It’s a lot of work, but it’s absolutely worth it—regardless of the outcome. 

Were there experiences at Iowa that inspired you to pursue a Fulbright? 
Yes! Last year, Iowa’s International Programs team helped me earn a Critical Language Scholarship to Indonesia. That experience gave me the confidence to apply for a Fulbright, knowing I had their support. The application can feel intimidating, but it became much more approachable with the guidance of Iowa’s amazing advisors. 

Are there individuals you'd like to thank for their investment in this process? 
Absolutely! I’m deeply grateful to Dr. Karen Wachsmuth and Sylvia Dean for their invaluable feedback and guidance. I also want to thank Dr. Jennifer Burek Pierce, who nominated me and has been a constant source of encouragement. Huge thanks to my recommenders—Marcela Fuentes, Dr. Nic Hartmann, and Bridget Malone—whose support made this possible. And of course, thank you to my friends and family for cheering me on every step of the way! 

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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.