Past Recipients

“The Boren Scholarship provided me the unique opportunity to immerse myself in a completely different culture, obtain working knowledge of a critical language, and gain friends and experiences I never would have otherwise. I’m beyond grateful for having been given the incredible opportunity to study abroad and for all the help the OPA gave me throughout the application process.”

"The Goldwater Scholarship has given me the ability to support myself in my last year of undergraduate while continuing on in research and outreach before applying to graduate studies. This scholarship also helps me become a more competitive applicant to my prospective graduate programs."

"The Goldwater scholarship has opened a lot of doors for me. People reach out to you instead of the other way around. Sometimes offering fully funded experiences that you don't even need apply for since having the scholarship is enough. Additionally, if you ask, people are more open to doing things for you, such as funding an impromptu internship. I've been able to participate in amazing opportunities that seemed to just fall in my lap since I've gotten the scholarship and this has allowed me to focus my efforts on other things, such as my research and my classes."

“Being named a Goldwater Scholar has given me the confidence to pursue more ambitious goals.”

"The Fulbright Fellowship provided an incredible experience and opened my eyes to what global research and collaboration can accomplish. Being able to experience new ways to explore design and collaboration really broadened my perspective and changed how I approach research."

"Working in Vietnam as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant was a life changing experience. I will always cherish the memories and relationships that I made during my Fulbright experience, and I will use the lessons I learned to help me move forward in career in diplomacy."

"My Fulbright experience was more than exercise in professional development and intercultural exchange. I gained a level of perspective and boldness that I didn’t think possible. Everything I do now is with a more open mind, flexibility, tolerance, and eagerness to learn, to understand. I now reach out and grab what I seek, and slow down to savor it."

“The opportunities granted to me as a Fulbright scholar have opened the world up to me in every imaginable sense. The professional contacts I built allowed me to develop an international network of researchers who have played a significant role in my career development and job search. The friendships I made both with my Fulbright colleagues, fellow students, along with people I met during my travels and living in my host city are ones I will treasure for a lifetime. The challenge of living and immersing myself in a new environment resulted in rewards that went far beyond the academic, I also grew as a person from my Fulbright experience.”

"The Fulbright English Teaching (ETA) Grant in Ufa, Russia, absolutely changed my life both professionally and personally. Through it, I was given the opportunity to live and work in another country and teach the English Language. Now, I have graduated with my Master's in TESOL and know that through teaching, is how I will make a difference in the world."

"Unlike small grants allotted for research time during breaks between academic semesters, the Fulbright scholarship allowed for a complete immersion in the Colombian culture for an entire year. During that time, I collected the bulk of the data for my dissertation."

“With this award I was able to study abroad in the Czech Republic, my first major international trip. This experience ignited my passion for travel. Since then, I have received additional opportunities to study and work abroad as an educator. I am eternally grateful for UCF and this award because of the lasting impact it has had on my life.”

"Participating in Fulbright Korea has changed me in both expected and unexpected ways. I look forward to every day and the challenges it brings me!"

“Receiving a Fulbright fellowship to spend ten months in Germany while finishing my thesis is the sort of life-changing opportunity I never expected to have. Conducting research at the German Aerospace Center as a student is an honor and a privilege, and living in a foreign country provides a new and exciting perspective.”

“Without the guidance, patience, feedback, and incredible mentorship from the Office of Prestigious Awards here at UCF, I would not have been able to express myself or reflect as deeply as I was able to.With all the support I received, I went on to teach in Spain through Spanish government and Taiwan through the Fulbright program. These life changing experiences paved my path towards becoming an elementary school teacher helping under served youth at a Title III school in San Francisco explore their identities and different perspectives.”

"Receiving this Fulbright Grant gives me the opportunity to not only collaborate in research and work alongside expert scientists, well known in their fields, but to also forge connections as I redefine and combine different perspectives from my own and from my host country as I immerse myself and live in an entirely different language and culture for several months."

 
"The Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship has provided me with the opportunity to pursue a graduate education in Intercultural and International Communication and pursue a career as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer. I am looking forward to serving my country and building bridges as a U.S. diplomat, and I am thankful for the support of my UCF community."

 
"The Pickering Fellowship presented me the opportunity to represent the United States and UCF overseas as a Foreign Service Officer with the Department of State. I have been fortunate enough to work in challenging places like the Philippines, Colombia, and Kenya to promote U.S. national interests and values and represent the American people as we strive for a more prosperous and secure world."

 
"The Udall Foundation Scholarship allowed me to access an incredible network, and demonstrated the immense passion and commitment I have for my career goals to my graduate schools and employers."

 
"The James Madison Memorial Fellowship allowed me to launch a career in education without any student loans or debt. I met amazing professionals in my field and had once-in-a-lifetime learning experiences. I'm very grateful for the opportunities the Madison Fellowship gave me."

"The Florida Gubernatorial Fellowship is a highly-selective program run through the Executive Office of the Governor that has allowed me to develop my research and policy skills while obtaining an in-depth view of state government. The opportunity to interact with the state’s top leaders and learn how to apply my previous experience and skills for the service of Florida has been a truly rewarding experience.“

“The Florida Gubernatorial Fellowship offered me an invaluable window into the top echelons of state government, and helped prepare me for a career in public leadership and service.”

“Serving as a Gubernatorial Fellow was an amazing opportunity to contribute to Florida’s state government. The lessons from serving the state of Florida continue to help me today as a practicing regulatory attorney.”