USC ranks among top producers of US Fulbright students

USC has been recognized as one of the top 40 research institutions in the United States to cultivate Fulbright Student Grant recipients, according to the Fulbright Program, the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program.

The Fulbright Program recently compiled a list of U.S. colleges and universities that advanced the most Fulbright students in 2012-13. In addition to USC, the list included the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Harvard University and the University of California, Los Angeles, among others. The Chronicle of Higher Education highlighted the success of the top-producing institutions in its Oct. 24 issue.

“Being named to the list of top Fulbright producing institutions is an indication of USC’s role as a leading international university,” said Executive Vice Provost Michael Quick. “We hope even more students will apply to the Fulbright Program in the future as we advance the USC Strategic Vision for global education.”

Eleven current and recently graduated Trojans were selected for the 2012-13 Fulbright Fellowship to study, conduct research or teach English for one academic year in one of more than 140 participating countries around the world. USC’s recipients come from several departments across campus, including American studies and ethnicity, art history, business administration, environmental sciences, international relations, jazz studies and public health. The fellows have or will soon begin their grant years in Brazil, Bulgaria, Israel, Korea, Mexico, the Philippines, South Africa and Spain.

Established in 1946 and sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Fulbright Program awards approximately 8,000 grants every year. Each year, nearly 6,000 students from around the country compete for about 1,000 Fulbright grants. More than 318,000 “Fulbrighters” — chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential — have participated in the program since its inception.

This year, almost 1,700 American students, artists and young professionals in more than 100 different fields of study were offered Fulbright Program grants. Of the 1,700 Fulbrighters, 17 percent are at the master’s level and 65 percent are at the bachelor’s level. Students receiving awards for this academic year applied through 600 colleges or universities.

At USC, the number of students who apply for the Fulbright Student Grant has continued to grow with each academic year, with an increase of 150 percent over the last nine years. During this period, USC also received the highest numbers of Fulbright Student Grant recipients in its history.

“Through the exchange of knowledge and perspectives, the Fulbright Program continues to foster new understanding between citizens of the U.S. and other countries that are beneficial worldwide,” said Noosha Malek, director and Fulbright Program adviser. “At USC, we are proud to be an active part of this cultural exchange.”

The Fulbright Program at USC is administered by the Office of Academic and International Fellowships. According to Malek, the office actively supports Fulbright applicants by hosting several information sessions throughout the year and meeting with applicants one-on-one to provide advisement on their application.

For more information about the program, visit eca.state.gov/fulbright