Jorge Cruz

Name of the Scholarship (and its benefits):

Fulbright, English Teaching Assistant (ETA). I will work with Brazilian faculty at a public or private university in rural Brazil to teach courses, and develop workshops and projects in English. I will be provided a monthly stipend and salary during the duration of the 9-month program.

What are your future career goals?

I was recently accepted into a Ph.D. program at UCLA. I hope to teach at a university that serves predominantly working-class and first-generation college students.

What motivated you to apply and what were some of the challenges?

I received a Gilman Scholarship as an undergraduate student to study abroad in Spain for a year. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I was completely immersed in the culture and language. As a graduate student in Latin American Studies, I developed a strong connection with the region: its history, culture, and people. I decided to apply for a Fulbright scholarship in order to immerse myself in the culture of Brazil and improve my Portuguese language skills.

How has this scholarship affected your career goals and ambitions?

Upon the completion of the Fulbright, I plan on completing my doctoral studies at UCLA. This experience will help shape my future scholarly work in the field of Latin American Studies.

What advice would you give to future applicants of this scholarship or any scholarship?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions and work closely with the Fulbright coordinator to develop a strong application. Make sure to get feedback on your essays. Develop strong relationships with faculty members so they can write you positive letters of recommendation. Remember that it is a process and there are staff at Cal State LA that is there to help you through that process.

What would people be surprised to know about you? 

I grew up in a small town in West Texas.

For more information on applying to Fulbright, contact NISFeP
More information on the program: https://us.fulbrightonline.org/