We Are the “They” That Can Change the World: My Hult Prize Experience
I have always been passionate about making a difference in people’s lives. Studying economics as an undergrad exposed me to the field’s power and how it can be used as a tool More »
A Year of Knee Research and Social Outreach in the Rainbow Nation
My Fulbright in Stellenbosch, South Africa, was divided into two primary areas: research and community outreach. The research portion of my fellowship focused on knee replacement implants and the different tribological properties More »
Detecting Gravitational Waves at Home and Abroad
Two months ago, physicists around the world were set ‘chirping’ with the announcement that gravitational waves had been detected for the first time. The detection is the culmination of decades of work, More »
Faces of Williamson, West Virginia: A Photo Essay
I’ve only been in Williamson, West Virginia for 48 hours and even though it’s not enough time to have a deep sense of everything that is happening in town, I’ve found a More »
Williamson’s Own Words
By Marcus Cederström, 2014-2015, Sweden
Editor’s note: In April 2017, twelve Fulbrighters engaged in a week-long service learning project in Williamson, West Virginia, an Appalachian community with valuable lessons to share about sustainability, perseverance, and revitalization. This is the first in a series of blog posts from the Fulbrighters who visited Williamson. The Fulbrighters were asked to focus on their experiences in Williamson, as well as their engagement with local American community leaders. Visit the Fulbright Amizade 2017 Storify for more details on their journey.
There are many stories to be told about Williamson, West Virginia. About Coal Country. About Appalachia. There are stories of drug abuse and diabetes and poverty. Of unemployment and government regulation and presidential elections. Those stories have been told for decades. Those stories continue to be told today by media outlets around the country. They are stories that can be found throughout the country.
Laura Robinson (right), Fulbright U.S. Student alumna (2014-2015, India), talking with Shane from the Williamson Fire Department. Photo by Marcus Cederström.
There are other stories too. Stories of health and wellness and entrepreneurship. Of resilience and revivals and recreation. Of people working to make their communities just a little bit better. Because throughout the country there are groups of engaged citizens identifying problems and finding solutions. These are stories that must be told as well.
Have You Seen Our Fulbright Finalist Storify?
Check out the stories, tweets and images of the 2017-2018 Fulbright U.S. Student Program Finalists
Limited-Time Opportunity: 76 Fulbright English Teaching Assistantships to Brazil!
Fulbright English Teaching Assistant to Brazil, Mark Beasley-Murray, 2007-2008, reading to a group of students
As of May 2 through July 14, 2017, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program is pleased to offer 76 additional Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship awards for program year 2017-2018 through funds provided by the Brazilian government.
These new Fulbright English Teaching Assistantships are open to all eligible prospects, including those who applied in 2017-2018 and did not receive a grant offer. Grants will begin in February 2018.
To learn more about these new Fulbright English Teaching Assistantships and other Fulbright U.S. Student grant opportunities to Brazil, please visit the Brazil Country Summary Page. Good luck!
Interview with Fulbright Alumnus and Moonlight Producer Andrew Hevia (2015-2016, Hong Kong)
Andrew Hevia, 2015-2016, Hong Kong (Photo by Robert Scherle)
1. Can you tell us about working on Moonlight, and your involvement in making the film?
In 2007, I had just graduated from the Florida State University Film School and had moved to San Francisco. By coincidence, a group of Film School alums were in town making a micro budget feature – this turned out to be Moonlight writer-director Barry Jenkins’ debut feature, Medicine for Melancholy. Because of the alumni connection, I orbited that production and helped out whenever I could. I was an extra in the opening scene for example. That’s when I learned Barry was from Miami. It felt wrong to me that he was making a movie about San Francisco instead of Miami, so I made it my goal to change that.
Then, in 2010 or 2011, Tarell Alvin McCraney gave me a copy of his unfinished play In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue—the story that eventually became Moonlight. I introduced him to Barry, gave Barry a copy of the play, and told him, “This might be the thing you make in Miami.” Time passed, Barry digested it and then the veteran producer Adele Romanski got wind of it, and she and Barry got Plan B and the distributor A24 involved. I had just won my Fulbright to Hong Kong and was set to leave in September, but Barry and Adele told me to delay the grant and offered me a role as co-producer. I’d been working to get Barry back to Miami for years and this was a project I cared deeply about so it was an easy and obvious yes.
