Callan Dockry (BA international studies ’26) is the recipient of a 2026–27 Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Award to South Korea. 

Hometown: Brooklyn Park, Minnesota 
 

Could you give us a brief synopsis of what you'll be doing with your Fulbright? 

With the Fulbright, I will work as an English teaching assistant (ETA) in South Korea. As a first-year ETA, I will likely be placed at a school in a rural town or regional city. Aside from typical teaching duties like classes and lesson planning, I will work to provide a cultural exchange between my students and me, allowing them to learn about American culture and me to learn about South Korean culture outside of Seoul.

How do you envision this will influence your future career? 

As someone aspiring to work in international business, I hope this experience helps me build effective cross-cultural skills to work with clients from a variety of cultures. Outside of work, I hope to improve my Korean language skills, as well as create friendships that last beyond my time as an ETA.

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

My biggest advice for future students considering applying for a Fulbright would be to not be wishy-washy about whether they are going to apply. I spent the summer before applying going back and forth on whether I wanted to do it, and it left me, my recommenders, and the people helping with my application with a very compressed time frame. So, if you’re thinking about applying, go for it. At worst, you won’t be selected, but at best, you’re given the opportunity of a lifetime.

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

First, I would like to thank Professor Meredith Gall for nominating me as someone to apply for the Fulbright. Without that push, I probably would not have considered myself someone who could receive this award. Second, I would like to thank Sylvia Dean for helping me brainstorm my way through the application, as well as for her patience throughout this process. I’d also like to thank all of my recommenders, especially Professor Joung-a Park, who has ceaselessly encouraged me in many ways. Finally, I’d like to thank my parents for being so invested in and excited for me throughout the process and the wait for this award. 

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.