| Description | Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors Sophie Nop (UW Tacoma alum) and Ben Rich will be sharing their experiences as Fulbrighters in Cambodia and South Korea (respectively). Join us to get inspired to consider applying for a Fulbright student grant yourself! The Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers research, study, creative arts and teaching opportunities in over 140 countries to US citizen graduating seniors, recent graduates and graduate students. Students at all levels, even if not eligible this year, are encouraged to attend to learn more. Sophie Nop, Fulbright U.S. Student in Computer Science
Cambodia, 2017-2018
On her Fulbright, Sophie partnered with USAID's Development Innovations and conducted ethnographic research and participatory design to improve how technology educators teach coding concepts. Her passion to help people from diverse backgrounds pursue their interests in STEM began in her local community. During her undergraduate years, she volunteered at a computer clubhouse, taught cybersecurity with the Math Science Leadership Program, a program designed to support and inspire students to succeed in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) and develop key skills necessary to pursue a career in STEM fields, and spearheaded an all-ages technology conference in partnership with six community organizations and Microsoft. As a first-generation college student with Cambodian refugee parents, Sophie had a deep curiosity about differences and similarities between Cambodians and Cambodian Americans. Her work helped a team of girls with no prior coding experience place second out of 44 teams at the national Technovation Challenge. In addition to her research, she volunteered with the Asia Foundation and led an interactive Arduino workshop at the YSEALI STEM Education Regional Workshop in Phnom Penh. Currently, she looks forward to building upon her computer science education and research as she pursues a master's degree in design and engineering from the University of Washington. Benjamin Rich, Fulbright U.S. Student in Economic Development
South Korea, 2016-2017
As a Fulbright U.S. Student Researcher, Benjamin earned his MA in global economy and strategy at the Graduate School of International Studies at Yonsei University in South Korea, where he studied international commerce and its relationship with Korean foreign policy. In addition to his master's program, Benjamin worked as a volunteer tutor with NGOs to help North Korean refugees in Seoul assimilate into South Korean society through English fluency. While in Korea, he also continued his military service in the U.S. Army Reserves, working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Far East District. In addition to his Fulbright studies and military service, Benjamin completed a summer internship with the U.S. Department of State working in the political section of the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, assisting Foreign Service Officers, writing cables, and leading U.S. congressional delegations throughout Seoul and to the Demilitarized Zone's Joint Security Area. He is currently a U.S. Army Captain serving on active duty with the Pacific Ocean Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, at Fort Shafter, Hawaii. Please RSVP here. |
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