Six Rice University graduates have been selected as Fulbright Scholars this year, gaining funds for study and teaching abroad possibilities.

Over 400 awards are available through the Fulbright U.S. Student Programme in more than 135 nations for American citizens to teach, do research, and work on professional projects. These esteemed awards have a long history dating back to 1945, when Sen. J. William Fulbright proposed legislation urging the sale of surplus military property to raise money for the “promotion of international goodwill through the exchange of students in the fields of education, culture, and science.” The following year, President Harry Truman signed it into law.

Students at the Centre for Languages and Intercultural Communication (CLIC) who have studied Arabic language and culture make up three of the six Fulbright scholars this year. These students’ experience with the CLIC has given them the chance to become fluent in a second language, which has enabled them to successfully undertake research while on their travels and earn renowned scholarships like the Fulbright award.

The Centre for Civic Leadership, which provides comprehensive counselling for a variety of scholarship and fellowship possibilities for graduate study, leadership programmes, foreign travel, and research, provided assistance to the Rice Fulbright recipients during the application process.

The six Rice Fulbright Award winners are Angel Smith, Molly Wancewicz, Stephen Peng, Rishi Shridharan, Meredith McCain, and Melissa Carmona.

Students at Rice University can enjoy a stimulating academic and cultural atmosphere. It ranks among private colleges with the highest quality of life because of its tight-knit, diversified college communities.