Six University of Iowa first-generation college students will go abroad this fall with support from the Leona Zaharis Scholarship, a fund that was established in 2022 by Cathy Zaharis (BBA finance ’82) in memory of her mother.

Fourteen University of Iowa students and alumni were chosen from about 10,000 Fulbright Award applicants nationwide to serve as representatives of the U.S. Department of State in 11 countries during the 2023-24 academic year. The students will teach English abroad, serve in local community organizations, enroll in graduate studies at cutting-edge universities, and conduct research.

Faith Benson, a Diversity Ambassador Scholarship recipient, participated in a study abroad program in India in winter 2022-23.

Peyton Pangburn discusses the impact scholarships had on her travels as well as the connection between her study abroad program and her academic goals.

Rebecca Lara, who will receive a BA in English and creative writing from the University of Iowa in 2023, is the winner of a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship Award to Spain for 2023-24. 

Sam Boucher, a PhD candidate in history at the University of Iowa, is the winner of a Fulbright Study/Research grant to Paraguay for 2023-24. 

Lee Sailor, who received a BA in political science from the University of Iowa in 2021, is the winner of a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship Award to Kosovo for 2023-24. 

Amna Haider, who received a BA in international relations and philosophy from the University of Iowa in 2022, is the winner of a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship Award to Turkey for 2023-24. 

Lizzie Shockley, who will receive a BA in anthropology and Spanish from the University of Iowa in 2023, is the winner of a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship Award to Mexico for 2023-24. 

UI student William Jones studied abroad in Germany with the assistance of the Richard J. Tyner Scholarship.

Stanley Awards for International Research are given annually to outstanding University of Iowa students in all academic fields for the pursuit of foreign research, learning activities in international studies, and career interests abroad.

Daijonna Glee (business student with a minor in Korean studies), a Diversity Ambassador Scholarship recipient, participated in International Business in London in winter 2022.