Fulbright Experience in Spain by Ellie Keating '23

During the application process, it was incredibly valuable to reflect on my diverse interests and think critically about how the skills I’ve developed at Haverford can translate into life after graduation. In my statement of grant purpose, I emphasized my interest in incorporating Spanish into my career, fostering student interest, and empowering others through education. Now, about halfway into my grant, I recognize the power of intersectionality and am incredibly thankful to be learning from various cultures.

Ten students from my secondary school in Madrid recently participated in a Model UN competition against thousands of other students from hundreds of other schools. To adequately prepare my students, I created and led lessons about the debate topic – access to education for students with disabilities – as well as the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Students learned parliamentary procedure and resolution writing and practiced moderated and unmoderated caucuses. In a span of months, their public speaking skills, critical thinking, global knowledge, research abilities, and self-confidence grew dramatically. Through this project, I learned classroom management, the importance of how teachers and students transfer knowledge, and that learning continues long after students leave the classroom. It was a humbling, challenging, emotional, and fantastically rewarding experience that I will keep with me for the rest of my life.

For prospective applicants, I suggest you reflect on familiarity or experiences you may already have with the country you’re applying to. It also helps to research and know deeply about the program, which can help you understand how well you may fit into the opportunity as well as demonstrate your commitment. One of the many reasons I was excited to apply to Madrid specifically (rather than another area in Spain), for example, was due to the Global Classrooms program and my interest in Model UN as well as international relations. Utilize Haverford resources, whether it be scheduling a meeting with Jason or asking the CCPA to review your application! Ask for letters of recommendation from professors who you feel know you the best. Last but not least, be patient with yourself. You may (and should) have gone through dozens of different drafts of your research proposal or personal statement, but embrace the process of rewriting, editing, and changing.