Gianna Rocca (BA English and creative writing, education ’25) is the recipient of a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to South Korea for 2026–27. 

Hometown: Solon, Iowa 

Could you give us a brief synopsis of what you’ll be doing with your Fulbright? 
I will serve as an English teaching assistant in South Korea. If time allows, I hope to host an English-based board game club where students can practice speaking English while they play. 

How do you envision this will influence your life and future career? 
My goal as a teacher has always been to stay curious and inspire curiosity, creating relatability and camaraderie in the classroom. During my time in South Korea, I hope to gain a better understanding of what it is like to be an outsider so I can help my future students navigate similar situations. I have never been abroad before, so by living in a new country, I hope to gain teaching experience I could not have gained here. 

What advice do you have for future students interested in applying for a Fulbright? 
Include everything you can that helps present you as a well-rounded applicant. It also helps to talk with as many people as possible about why you want to apply, as those conversations can clarify how to write about your goals in the application. 

Are there individuals you’d like to thank for their investment in this process? 
I would like to thank my parents and grandparents for their support and encouragement throughout the application process and my time in school, as well as my professor Sam Tanner for recommending me. Through his love of teaching and improvisational skills, he inspired me to “just go for it” when it came to trying new things. 

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