Fulbright Association’s “Inspire Across Borders” Panel at Pitzer College
Updated: 1 day ago
I recently had the opportunity to serve as a panelist for the “International Speaker Forum: Inspire Across Borders,” hosted by the Fulbright Association Claremont Consortium Chapter at Pitzer College during Alumni Weekend.
The event brought together Fulbright alumni from a wide range of professional and academic backgrounds to discuss global issues including artificial intelligence, healthcare, international relations, social media, and the future of cultural exchange. I spoke about my experience as a Fulbright Program English Teaching Assistant in Kazakhstan and what it was like immersing myself in an unfamiliar culture and educational environment.
One of the biggest takeaways from the panel discussion — especially for students interested in scholarships, fellowships, college, graduate programs, or international opportunities — was the importance of reaching out to alumni from programs you are considering applying to.
Several panelists emphasized that alumni can provide insights you simply cannot get from a website:
What the experience is actually like day-to-day
Whether the program is truly a good fit for your goals and personality
Application advice and common pitfalls
The culture and values of the institution or program
Another major theme of the evening was the importance of understanding a program’s mission and values before applying. Strong applications are not just about credentials or achievements, they also demonstrate alignment. Programs like Fulbright are looking for applicants who genuinely connect with the broader purpose of cultural exchange, mutual understanding, and international collaboration.
One of the most important parts of application writing is helping students move beyond simply listing accomplishments and instead articulate why a particular opportunity matters to them personally and how their values connect to the mission of the program itself.
I’m grateful to the Fulbright Association Claremont Consortium Chapter, and my fellow panelists for such a thoughtful and inspiring conversation. Events like these are a reminder of how valuable international exchange and cross-cultural dialogue continue to be.
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