Marta Leira (BS psychology ’25) has received a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to Portugal for the 2026–27 academic year.
Hometown: Iowa City, Iowa
Could you give us a synopsis of what you’ll be doing with your Fulbright?
During my Fulbright, I will teach English at the Egas Moniz School of Health and Science in Almada, Portugal. Outside the classroom, I look forward to organizing intergenerational community events and learning how the ancestral language of Galego-Portuguese has informed modern literary traditions and health practices.
How do you envision this will influence your life or future career?
The Fulbright will significantly expand my academic perspective by giving me experience teaching within an international university model. I also hope to gain a more nuanced understanding of Portugal’s universal health care system, which will broaden my perception of what health care can be.
What advice do you have for students interested in applying for a Fulbright?
Take advantage of the incredible institutional support available at Iowa. Meet with your advisers early and often, and trust their judgment and experience. Be ready to lean on your support system throughout the application process.
Were there experiences at Iowa that inspired you to pursue a Fulbright?
My experiences in the Portuguese and health equity studies programs, along with my engagement with the Center for Language and Cultural Learning, inspired me to deepen my study of Portuguese and explore its intersections with health in a real-world environment.
Are there individuals you’d like to thank for their investment in this process?
I would especially like to thank Dr. Karen Wachsmuth and Sylvia Dean for their guidance and expertise throughout the application process. I am also grateful to Dr. Misha Bačkonja of the National Institutes of Health, Maddy Linder of the nonprofit Stomping Ground, and Professor Maricelle Pinto-Tomas of the University of Iowa for their letters of recommendation. I am deeply thankful to Professor Judy Liskin-Gasparro and Dr. Mariana Ruiz for their linguistic mentorship, as well as to my family and friends for their steadfast support.
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