Janey Berends, a senior Spanish and applied linguistics major, was awarded the English Teaching Assistant grant through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program early last month and will be remembered as the first undergraduate to do so in Union history.
For many, the Fulbright program is not common knowledge. In general, the program funds students through the U.S. government to go abroad for research, graduate work and English teaching assistantships. Thanks to the Honors Community, Berends was made aware of this program.
Berends, a Michigan native, was just like many Union students, unsure of what her post-graduation life would look like. When she was first approached with information regarding the Fulbright program, she decided that it was not something she could do. After some encouragement and persistence from faculty and friends, Berends started the lengthy application process. The process, which began early last fall, consisted of an intensive application that included both a personal statement and a statement of purpose for the country and job description of Berends’ choice. When thinking through where to apply, Berends had a lot to consider.
“I narrowed it down to Spanish-speaking countries and then was able to narrow it down through position descriptions,” Berends told. “Some positions required a Master’s degree or teaching experience, but the jobs I was looking at were specific to recent graduates.”
On a more personal level, Peru specifically struck Berends as the place she would want to spend nine to ten months of her life. As a Spanish major, the country stood out for obvious reasons. However, one unique aspect of Peru captured Berends’ heart: its indigenous people.
“After Latin American history classes here at school, I’ve learned a lot about indigenous people’s struggles and history. It’s a large area of interest of mine and I knew I would be interested to see their societies first hand.”
After the application was completed and submitted to the university, Union then put together a committee of Union faculty to interview Berends to officially recommend her for the Fulbright program. Throughout the process, Union faculty lived up to the reputation they have created for themselves through testimony after testimony of sharing how professors take particular interest in their students.
“I felt so cared for throughout this process,” Berends said. “The faculty they pulled together for my interview were mostly professors I have had in class before. They know me and made sure to check in on me. They also would always share how proud of me they were, so that’s always encouraging.”
Rebecca Edgren, Union’s designated Fulbright advisor, was a key part of this process. Whether it was keeping up with deadlines or editing documents, Edgren was always there to lend a helping hand to Berends. While speaking highly of her contributions to the application process, Berends had the following to say of Edgren.
“I don’t know what the requirements are for being a university’s advisor but I have a feeling Rebecca went above and beyond all expectations. She was so helpful and I can’t thank her enough.”
The affection went both ways for this pair. After working so closely with Berends, Edgren could not help but to share her own excitement for her and acknowledge the lengths she had to go to reach this accomplishment.
“The application calls for a lot of self-knowledge and then, what may be even harder, the ability to articulate a picture of that self and find in it the seeds of who you might one day be, what might shape you to better the world,” Edgren explained of the grant. “That’s a tall order as a senior in college, but Janey worked hard, she was patient and meticulous in drafting and re-drafting her statements, and she sought out extra opportunities to bolster her teacher training where she felt she was weak.”
Now that Berends has been selected as a finalist for the English teaching assistant grant, she now plays the waiting game. With this specific grant, the Fulbrighter, as they are sometimes referred, is placed as a teaching assistant in either a university or adult level classroom of students who are training to be an English teacher in Peru. However, Berends still doesn’t know specific details.
In Peru, they have two different school year positions, one beginning in August and one beginning in March of 2019. To add to the uncertainty of departure dates, Berends also does not know where exactly in Peru she will be going. To some, this may have served as a road block, but Berends is excited for whenever and wherever she gets places, and this attitude has been evident throughout the process.
“She met every challenge first with thoughtful questions and careful study, then with a flexible, dedicated and joyful spirit. This is exactly the kind of attitude that will make her a good representative of the U.S. overseas,” Edgren said.
The biggest question for Edgren was the following: How? How do students familiarize themselves with the Fulbright Program? Simply, for more information on the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, be sure to check out their website. Once you have scrolled around their interactive map and been made aware of the world-wide possibilities, talk to faculty within your major to discuss the kind of work you may be interested in completing to become a competitive applicant. Lastly, don’t hesitate to contact Edgren with any curiosities or plans to apply.
“It’s good that our campus is being more broadly educated about Fulbright and the sheer array of possibilities available to students in almost every field,” Edgren said. “True, these grants are highly competitive, but the odds are not impossible, and the work of applying to such a program can be so valuable regardless of the outcome.”
Berends was the first to break these odds and the Union community could not be prouder. Way to go, Janey! Union is cheering you on.