Alice Cruse (BA journalism & mass communication ’25) is the winner of a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to Taiwan for 2025–26. 

Hometown: Cedar Rapids, Iowa 

Could you give us a brief synopsis of what you'll be doing with your Fulbright? 
I’ll be teaching English to elementary and/or junior high school students in Pingtung, the southernmost county in Taiwan. 

How do you envision this will influence your life/future career? 
I’m hopeful that my Fulbright year will help me grow not only in Mandarin language skills and cultural competency, but also in leadership and problem-solving. I’m excited to continue learning from my peers, students, and the Fulbright Taiwan team in an environment unlike anything I’ve experienced before. After Fulbright, I hope to work in a field where I can use my cross-cultural abilities to help others. 

What advice do you have for students interested in applying for a Fulbright? 
Do your research thoroughly and listen to the advice of Karen Wachsmuth and Sylvia Dean in International Programs—they truly are pros, and their guidance is invaluable. And give the application every bit of the effort it deserves—it can be strenuous, but it’s absolutely worth it. 

Were there experiences at Iowa that inspired you to pursue a Fulbright? 
My study abroad experiences in Guatemala and Italy, along with the influence of many international student friends, inspired me to want to teach English abroad. When I shared this goal with my professors, they encouraged me to apply for a Fulbright ETA. 

Are there individuals you'd like to thank for their investment in this process? 
Many people in the journalism department, especially Professors Brian Ekdale and Sujatha Sosale, Dean Melissa Tully, and Jake Mayer. I’m also grateful to Heather Wagner from the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy and all my friends and family for their support. 

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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.