4 Fulbright Scholars chosen for 2008

Macedonia. South Korea. Estonia. France. What do these countries have in common? They're all destinations for DePauw students who were recently named as prestigious Fulbright Scholars.Doug Harms, Fulbright Program Advisor for DePauw, said via e-mail that 16 DePauw students, including two alumni, applied for Fulbright grants. Of those 16, four received grants, while one is an alternate scholar. By comparison, The Ohio State University, with an enrollment of 52,586, had four Fulbright scholars as well. The 2008 Fulbright Scholars for DePauw include:

 Seth Elder, Macedonia, project titled "Economic Development and the Protection of Cultural Heritage in Macedonia"

 Eric Reese, South Korea, English Teaching Assistantship

 Elin Raun '04, Estonia, project titled "The Return of Estonia's Diaspora"

 Kathryn Haklin, France, English Teaching Assistantship

In addition, Jennifer Long, Cambodia, is an alternate for her project entitled, "Indigenous Land Appropriations in the Greater Mekong Subregion."

Harms said approximately 1,400 US students will be in the Fulbright program next year, their purpose being "to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Fulbright scholars conduct research and/or teach in a foreign country. In addition there are many opportunities to interact with people, learn from them, and help them understand the US better."

Harms said that while the initial process is not strenuous, the selection process is drawn out and extremely selective.

"Students complete an online application form, write a two-page project proposal and a one-page personal essay," Harms said. "Applicants must also get three letters of reference from faculty, and a language evaluation, if required by the country. Finally, applicants have a 20-minute interview with a committee of three faculty that I arrange."

Applicants are forwarded to a National Screening Committee. If "recommended" by the screening committee, the application is forwarded to the host country, who either accepts or rejects the grant.

Harms added that "Fulbright scholars receive roundtrip travel to/from the country, as well as a monthly stipend that covers living expenses during the Fulbright. Scholars also receive a modest amount of money to cover books and other research materials for their project."

Seth Elder, who will be studying in Macedonia next year, said he chose the country because of its relaxed requirements and interests he has in the area.

"I haven't taken a modern language at DePauw, and most nations have certain language requirements, but Macedonia isn't one of them," Elder said. "It's also in Europe, which I wanted, and it's close to Greece, and being a classics major, that's my main interest of study."

Elder said that he has mixed feelings about receiving the Fulbright.

"It's overwhelming, because I'm trying to get in to contact with agencies and the like to get everything in order," Elder said. "But it is exciting. Overwhelming, but exciting."

- Ashton Simmons contributed to this article