Fulbright PH: We want more Samarnon scholars

CATBALOGAN, Philippines — Fulbright Philippines, represented by Joanne Fajardo, expressed eagerness to send more scholars from Samar to study in the United States during their first information session in the province held at Samar State University on Wednesday, November 22nd.

“We want Samarnons to be part of the [Fulbright] program. We want more than just Andrea [Mendoza]. We want more Samarnons to also experience studying in the United States,” Fajardo stressed.

Marking the 75th anniversary of the Fulbright Program in the Philippines — the longest-running in the world — the speaker said that they will continue to recruit participants from “underrepresented, non-elite backgrounds” who have not had other opportunities to study in the United States.

Fajardo added: “This is the first time that we’re doing a week-long roadshow… We are also planning to travel to Catarman and Calbayog to bring the good news because we want Samar to know about the scholarship opportunities in the United States.”

Sponsored by the United States Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Fulbright Commission, also known as the Philippine-American Educational Foundation, is based in Mandaluyong City.

The binational organization aims to “promote global educational exchanges by connecting the U.S. to individuals from 160 countries through its 49 commissions, including the Philippines,” according to Fajardo.

Among the fellowship and scholarship opportunities that were comprehensively discussed during the info-session are the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program, Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program, Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program, Global Undergraduate Exchange Program, and other U.S. bilateral exchange programs with the Philippines.

The event has gathered 97 attendees composed of undergraduate students from tertiary and secondary schools in Catbalogan City, SSU faculty, and professionals interested in Fulbright Scholarship Programs.

Also present were Student Welfare and Development Services Director Dr. Mae Cañal, and International Student Coordinator Prof. Pedro Cabrales.

“This time around, they (Fulbright Philippines) are also offering master’s and Ph.D. degrees for our faculty. Let’s consider this as an opportunity not only for our students but also for us as faculty; so that, we could have our studies abroad. It will be a good experience to study abroad… This will [contribute] to more growth in our profession and, at the same time, in our career, personal growth, and achievements,” Dr. Cañal remarked during the opening of the session.

Meanwhile, an open forum allowed participants to ask questions related to grants and to address other Fulbright scholarship queries, answered by Fulbright Program members, and SSU alumna and Global Undergraduate Exchange (UGRAD) ex-scholar Andrea Faye Mendoza.

“If you really want to pursue something, you have to be consistent and committed. Kasi, you can say yes, and you want to do it right now, but the question is ‘Are you gonna finish it or not?’ You have to stay put, be determined, put all your heart. Be real because realness is everything,” answered Mendoza when asked for her advice for aspiring UGRAD scholars in a quick interview with The Tradesman.

Mendoza is the first ever UGRAD Scholar for Spring 2022 under the program of World Learning and Fulbright Philippines who is from SSU and Samar Province. She also became the first Filipino in the program to be placed at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington, United States.