Name: Lucy Patterson
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Type of Fulbright award: Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to Germany
Degree and field of study: BA French, minor German, international business certificate
Teaching: I will be placed as a teaching assistant in the German school system
What drew you to this field of study?
I’ve had my eye on Fulbright since freshman year. I knew that the program’s stance toward international understanding and cultural exchange were sentiments that I shared and wanted to partake in. I believe that this program will give me invaluable experience and prepare me to enter the workforce.
How do you envision this will change your life?
I’m not quite sure what part of my life the Fulbright won’t change. I am proud to be a representative of the United States and hope to have many beneficial cultural exchanges. My main goal is to stay as open as possible to the new experiences that are coming my way and learn as much as I can.
What advice do you have for future students interested in pursuing a Fulbright award?
The application process can seem daunting, and it is. However, don’t let it take over your life! Remember why you are applying and stay true to your goals and ambitions. There are people all around campus that will help you along the way, so don’t ever hesitate to ask.
Are there any individuals you'd like to thank for their investment in this process?
Kirsten Kumpf-Baele is a visiting assistant professor in the German department. I would like to especially thank her for all of her efforts to make sure my application was as strong as it possibly could have been. She not only wrote one of my letters of recommendation, but she also went out of her way to meet with me over the summer and help me with my essays and community engagement project. She truly went above and beyond to help me and I am extremely grateful to her for that. I would also like to thank Ed Zastrow, director of the Iowa City Foreign Relations Council, who so willingly wrote me a letter of recommendation and has supported me for the last two years that I have been an intern with the organization.