Hser Dir Mu, (BS human physiology ’25) is the winner of a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to Thailand for 2025-26. 

Hometown: Storm Lake, Iowa 

Could you give us a brief synopsis of what you'll be doing with your Fulbright?
I will be in Thailand, hopefully at a school where both Karen and Thai are spoken. I’ll be teaching English to either high school or college students. I also hope to explore the medical care system in Thailand. 

How do you envision this will influence your life/future career?
I hope it will be a fun and memorable experience. It will also help me build stronger connections with people—an essential skill for my future career as a doctor.

What advice do you have for students interested in applying for a Fulbright? 
I say go for it. It may look scary or sound like a lot of work, but in the end, it will be worth it.

Were there experiences at the UI that inspired you to pursue a Fulbright? 
Yes—during the summer after my freshman year, I participated in a summer internship where several people encouraged me to consider this program. 

Are there individuals you'd like to thank for their investment in this process? 
I would like to thank Sylvia Dean for all the time she spent helping me with my application process. 

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