Kate Struble (BA journalism and mass communication, ethics and public policy ’22) has received a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award (ETA) to Bulgaria for the 2026–27 academic year. 

Hometown: Clinton, Iowa 

Could you give us a synopsis of what you’ll be doing with your Fulbright? 
As an English teaching assistant in Burgas, Bulgaria, I will teach eighth -grade and 11th -grade students in classes such as American culture, American literature, and oral communication. Outside the classroom, I will coach the Bulgarian English Speech Tournament team, form an English conversation and board game group, and start an intramural pickleball club. To engage with my host community, I plan to sing in a local choir, volunteer at a local library, and join a hiking group. 

How do you envision this will influence your life or future career? 

By teaching in Bulgaria, I will become a better educator as I hope to one day teach speech and communication classes at a community college. The skills I gain will help me create a classroom community that supports students from diverse backgrounds. 

What advice do you have for students interested in applying for a Fulbright? 

My advice to any interested student is to apply and reapply if they are not selected the first or even second time. The University of Iowa Fulbright team, which includes current and former Fulbright grantees, will support you. The hardest part is taking the initial leap to learn more. My advice: Do it! Take the first step and contact Dr. Karen Wachsmuth and Sylvia Dean to start the conversation. 

Were there experiences at Iowa that inspired you to pursue a Fulbright? 

I randomly decided to attend a Fulbright Week presentation during my first year at the University of Iowa, sometime in spring 2019. Ever since, pursuing a Fulbright ETA grant has been a goal of mine, as I have always wanted to teach and live abroad. Now, several years later, I’m ready to be an ETA in Bulgaria. 

Are there individuals you’d like to thank for their investment in this process? 

This opportunity wouldn’t have been possible without support from many, including: 

• My parents, Steve and Amy Struble, who provided unwavering support throughout numerous application cycles. They have always encouraged me to work hard and relentlessly pursue my dreams, even when it’s challenging. I couldn’t have done it without them.
• Abby Struble, Olivia Calvin, and James Manchuso, who provided constant encouragement.
• Dr. Karen Wachsmuth, Sylvia Dean, and the entire UI Fulbright team, who gave extensive feedback throughout the application process. My endless gratitude for your time and care.
• Dr. Rachel Young, Kendra Evers, and Ann Eisenman, who served as my recommenders.
• Dr. Kate Ralston and Dr. Anna Newnum, who were my recommenders in past application cycles.
• The Clinton Public Library team and its patrons, who helped prepare me, through my work at my hometown library, to teach abroad.
• The Clinton High School Speech Team and co-coach Alisha Lemon-Levy, who showed me the transformative power and joy of speech education in Iowa and beyond.
• Additional thanks to UI Fulbright librarian Brett Cloyd; former UI Fulbright assistant Ari Natarina; and current UI Fulbright Bulgaria ETA Noah LeFevre for their guidance. 
  
   

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