Two Nebraska Wesleyan University students have each been awarded Fulbright scholarships that will send them abroad next year to teach.
Sarah Hotovy, a senior biochemistry, molecular biology and political science triple major from York, Neb., and Evan Harpster, a senior biology and German double major from Fremont, Neb., will both teach English. Hotovy will teach in Indonesia and Harpster will teach in Germany.
The Fulbright Scholarship is the flagship international education program sponsored by the U.S. government.
Hotovy’s interest in Indonesia was sparked last summer during a two-month internship there working for a NGO dedicated to protecting the rights of street children. Hotovy recently won a Critical Language Scholarship that will send her back to Indonesia this summer where she will attend language classes and participate in individualized tutoring. The Fulbright will provide her the opportunity to teach in Indonesia for a year before attending graduate school where she plans to study international development or global public health.
Harpster’s interest in Germany stems from his family heritage and, the long tradition of hosting German relatives in his family’s home. He studied German both in high school and college and studied abroad there during his sophomore year at NWU.
“My intention of studying biology has always been, and still is, to eventually go to medical school and become a physician,” said Harpster. “My Fulbright application was based around this goal and the fact that teaching in Germany will improve my communication skills and help me become a physician capable of forming quality doctor-patient relationships, which are so crucial to quality health care.”
Forty-three Nebraska Wesleyan University students have been awarded Fulbright Scholarships, with 29 of those awarded in the past decade. The Institute for International Education has consistently recognized NWU as one of the top national producers of Fulbright scholars.