Name: Rita Guzmán
Hometown:  Decorah, Iowa
Type of Fulbright award: Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to Portugal 
Degree and field of study: BBA marketing, minor in Portuguese, international business certificate

Teaching: I will teach English to students in higher education through presentations on American studies, advising those interested in studying in the United States, and assisting in classroom instruction. 

What drew you to this field of study? 
I wanted to incorporate a creative business field with an international focus. All of my areas of study combine my love of people, international affairs, and learning languages. To me, marketing is a social science. We study the decisions people make. As the world becomes more connected (in terms of sharing ideas, perspectives, and cultures), I sought to obtain a certificate in international business. As for Portuguese, I wanted to bridge the language gap in my family and also learn about Lusophone (Portuguese speaking) cultures. I always knew I wanted to live and work abroad, and these fields of study reflect that desire. 

How do you envision this will change your life? 
The Fulbright is the first step towards my dream of living and working abroad. It will also allow me to serve others through education. With it, the possibilities seem endless. The network of scholars is tremendous. It definitely appears as though it will open doors for many of the opportunities I will seek in the future. 

Are there any individuals you'd like to thank for their investment in this process? 
Connecting to professors and staff has been one of the most rewarding aspects of the Fulbright. I highly encourage future students to get to know the amazing faculty and staff we have on campus! I'd like to thank Professor Maria Jose Barbosa, Professor Cris Lira, Mark Archibald, Stephanie Fountain, UI Fulbright Advisor Karen Wachsmuth, Jasmine Mangrum (UI Fulbright scholar), Samantha Westphal (UI Fulbright scholar), Professor Kathleen Newman, Sonja Mayrhofer, Professor Lise Kildegaard, Professor Phillip Round, and my parents (Professor Tony Guzmán and Professor Rita Tejada). These professors, former students, university faculty, staff, and family members were key to the Fulbright process. They not only offered recommendations, language evaluations, and draft assistance, but also provided support and encouragement. I could not have done this without them.