University of Iowa (UI) student Olga Colmenero Carrillo (BA elementary education ’26) has received a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to Spain for 2026–27.
Hometown: Muscatine, Iowa
Could you give us a synopsis of what you’ll be doing with your Fulbright?
Through the Fulbright program, I will serve as an English teaching assistant in Spain, supporting students as they develop their language skills while fostering cross-cultural exchange. Beyond the classroom, I plan to create a community engagement project centered on literacy. This will involve facilitating workshops where primary students explore diverse authors and then craft their own stories that celebrate and reflect their identities. My goal is to empower young learners to see themselves as authors while building confidence in English and pride in their voices.
How do you envision this will influence your life and future career?
As a future bilingual teacher, this experience will help me grow into a global educator. Teaching in Spain will give me the chance to see how different schools support multilingual learners and how culture shapes the classroom. It will strengthen my ability to create welcoming spaces for all students and give me new ideas to bring back to my own classroom. On a personal level, living and teaching abroad will challenge me to step outside my comfort zone, build resilience, and deepen my appreciation for diverse perspectives. Most importantly, it will shape the way I teach, helping me guide my students to value their own voices while also connecting across languages and cultures.
What advice do you have for students interested in applying for a Fulbright?
My advice is simple: Take the risk and apply. Fulbright is an incredible opportunity to grow, learn, and connect across cultures. Even if it feels intimidating, trust that your story and your passion matter.
Were there experiences at the University of Iowa that inspired you to pursue a Fulbright?
My experiences at the University of Iowa, especially studying abroad through the College of Education, inspired me to pursue a Fulbright. I had the opportunity to study abroad four times—in London, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Ghana—which helped me discover my love for teaching in global contexts. Each experience showed me how education can look different across cultures, and it deepened my commitment to supporting multilingual learners. Those opportunities gave me the confidence to apply for Fulbright and the excitement to continue growing as a global educator.
Are there individuals you’d like to thank for their investment in this process?
I would like to thank Amira Nash, associate director of school partnerships and global education initiatives in the UI College of Education. From the moment I arrived on campus, she believed in me and encouraged me to think globally and push myself further. Because of her guidance, I was able to study abroad multiple times and now have the confidence to teach for a year in Spain. I am deeply grateful for her constant support and for showing me what it means to be an educator with a global perspective. I would also like to thank my professors in the UI College of Education. Their encouragement and guidance throughout my time at Iowa helped me grow as both a student and a future teacher.
EXPLORE THE MANY FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES OPEN TO UI STUDENTS AND ALUMNI
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.