CAS News
CAS student receives prestigious place on Fulbright Summer Institute to the UK
[05.14.2013]
TAMPA, Fla. -- Shelby Thomas, a student from the University of South Florida has received a place on a Fulbright Summer Institute to study at Cardiff, Bangor and Aberystwyth Universities in Wales on one of the most prestigious and selective summer scholarship programs operating worldwide.
Created by treaty in 1948, the US-UK Fulbright Commission is the only bi-lateral, transatlantic scholarship program, offering awards and summer programs for study or research in any field, at any accredited US or UK University. The Commission is part of the Fulbright program conceived by Senator J. William Fulbright in the aftermath of World War II to promote leadership, learning and empathy between nations through educational exchange. Award recipients and summer program participants will be the future leaders for tomorrow and support the “special relationship” between the US and UK.
As a participant, Thomas has been selected from a strong applicant pool to experience the UK on a six-week summer program. The Fulbright Wales Summer Institute focuses on Welsh culture and industry. The program allows students to learn about the changing role that Wales plays within the United Kingdom and how the culture of the small nation has been preserved.
Thomas is an Honors College freshman pursuing dual degrees in international business and international studies. Currently at USF, she is a member of the Bulls Business Community, Historian for the National Society of Leadership and Success and a volunteer for the USF Botanical Gardens. She was the Public Relations Officer Trainee for the International Business Board. In high school, she was the Marketing Director and Work Supervisor for the Beautification Club, Secretary of BETA Honor Society, Vice President of the Student Body through the Student Government Association, Team Captain for the Speech and Debate Club and a Rower on the Crew Team.
As a participant in the Fulbright UK Summer Institute Program to Wales, Thomas intends to study the relationship between the Welsh culture and its effect on business adaptability, specifically when it concerns the coal mining industry and disruptive change. From this experience she hopes to cultivate the knowledge and ability for eventually serving the United States as a Foreign Service Officer.
The Commission selects participants through a rigorous application and interview process. In making these awards the Commission looks not only for academic excellence but a focused application, a range of extracurricular and community activities, demonstrated ambassadorial skills, a desire to further the Fulbright Program and a plan to give back to the recipient’s home country upon returning.
Fulbright Summer Programs cover all participant costs. In addition, Fulbright summer participants receive a distinctive support and cultural education program including: visa processing, a comprehensive pre-departure orientation, enrichment opportunities in country, a re-entry session and opportunity to join our alumni networks.
Each year, the Commission supports around 50 UK and US undergraduate students to undertake a demanding academic and cultural summer programs at leading institutions in the US and UK respectively. Nearly 300,000 extraordinary women and men from all over the world have had their lives changed as participants in the global Fulbright Program. Of these alumni, approximately 15,000 UK nationals have studied in the US and nearly 12,000 US nationals in the UK on our educational exchange programs.
The Commission is funded partially by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills in the UK and the US Department of State, with additional support coming from a variety of individual and institutional partners.
The Office of National Scholarships identifies, recruits and mentors high achieving students to apply for national merit scholarships across all disciplines. The scholarships and fellowships are for creative, motivated and academically strong students who are leaders in and out of the classroom.
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Filed under:Arts and Sciences Government and International Affairs Student Success
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