Five seniors say 'hallo' to Fulbrights

By Corey Fawcett, Staff Writer -- fawcett13@up.edu

UP has gained international acclaim for annually producing high numbers of Fulbright recipients, and this year is no exception.

Five seniors – Nick Balthrop, Lisa McMahan, Annemarie Medrzycki, Jeni Mussio and Erika O'Sullivan – earned Fulbright English Teaching Assistantships this year to teach in Germany. They will be placed in middle schools or high schools in the land of lederhosen, leberwurst and Ludwig van Beethoven to assist native teachers with English instruction.

They have yet to receive information on where and what grade they will be teaching.

All five recipients are German studies majors (most with additional majors) and spent their sophomore year abroad in Salzburg, Austria.

"I've been dreaming about going back (to Europe) since I got back from Salzburg," Mussio said.

Balthrop has been feeling a similar nostalgia for Europe.

"I got an itch to go back," he said. "I'm looking forward to being in that culture again."

The recipients put months of effort into making a return possible.

The Fulbright application process started at the beginning of fall semester and ended in mid-February. Applicants spent many hours with professors Laura McLary, Alexandra Hill and Director of Fellowships and Grants John Orr, writing essays and, in the second round of the application process, translating them into German.

"I probably met with Dr. McLary like 10 times," McMahan said.

Writing the personal statement and statement of purpose in which the applicant states why he or she is applying for a Fulbright was insightful, according to Mussio.

"I felt it was an extremely valuable learning process," she said. "It forced me to be introspective about my life and what I want to do."

The last of the recipients heard back last week after two months of waiting.

"I heard back this Monday (April 11)," Mussio said. "All my friends had heard back the previous Tuesday so it was a high stress situation. It was quite a relief."

McMahan agreed.

"It was really scary not knowing," she said.

Although the recipients have different reasons for applying for the scholarship, they all cite improving their German as a primary one.

"The year abroad in Salzburg is an amazing, life-changing opportunity, but it is not an immersion program," O'Sullivan said in an email.

This time, Balthrop, McMahan, Medrzycki, Mussio and O'Sullivan will be immersed in German culture and surrounded by German speakers every day.

"I like the language," McMahan said. "It's really practical and there are lots of rules about word order. It's actually helped me a lot with English grammar."

In a country where many speak fluent English, Mussio hopes she will be given enough chances to practice her language skills.

"I'm hoping they'll accommodate me and let me speak German," she said.

Language, however, is just one of the many reasons the recipients were interested in the Fulbright scholarship. McMahan, Medrzycki and Mussio cite an interest in teaching as a primary reason for applying.

"I want to stick my toe in the water and see if teaching's right for me," Mussio said.

Balthrop, who is also a political science major and plans on attending law school at Pepperdine University after his time in Germany, is excited to learn about German politics.

"I'm also looking forward to interacting with the kids, and just being in that culture again," he said.

Medrzycki wants to volunteer during her spare time, working for people with developmental disabilities.

"I really just need an adventure," she said. "After four years in college I feel like I've been cycled and want to break free. I need to spread my wings."

Wings will be spread, but friends will be close by. The recipients are all well-acquainted with each other.

"It's really unreal that we're all going to be there together," Mussio said.

The Fulbrighters have already begun making plans to meet up with each other throughout the year.

"We can discuss lesson plans and go to Oktoberfest," McMahan said. "Maybe not in that order."