Biering Becomes Alma’s 18th Fulbright Scholar
Alma College senior Lisa Biering of Williamston has been awarded the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to teach English and study gender issues in Indonesia.
Biering becomes Alma’s 18th Fulbright Scholar since 2003. A graduate of Williamston High School, she is the daughter of Wayne Edwards of Williamston and Dawn Biering of Alma.
“I’m ecstatic; the opportunities this program provides are limitless,” says Biering, who plans to leave for Indonesia in August. “I look forward to the experience I will gain.”
Lisa Biering, from a trip to New Zealand
Biering, an English major, is interested in the development and use of language. Since English is taught as a second language, she plans to observe how non-native speakers approach English.
“Indonesia is a culturally diverse land with a variety of languages,” she says. “I will assist in English language education, but I hope to learn some Bahasa Indonesia as well as the country's other 700 or so languages and how they interact with one another linguistically and culturally.”
While in Indonesia, Biering also plans to study gender and cultural issues in the Muslim religion and the country.
“Indonesia holds the largest population of Muslims in the world,” she says. “I want to learn about this religion to convey that information to others who may not understand it and become fearful. Volunteering in women's and community groups allows me to interact with the culture on a deeper level and familiarize myself with the people.”
Student applications for the Fulbright Scholarship are reviewed and approved by the National Screening Committee of the Institute of International Education, the coordinating body for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. The applications are forwarded to the Fulbright commissions in the projects' countries, which select recipients from all candidates applying in those countries. The J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board makes the final selections.
The U.S. Student Program is funded by the U.S. Department of State to give recent undergraduate and graduate students, as well as young professionals a chance for an international experience and personal development.
Alma’s Nationally Competitive Scholarship Committee helps finalists search for appropriate postgraduate scholarships, then reviews the proposals and applications. Alma’s committee identifies and nurtures exceptional candidates for nationally competitive scholarships, grants and awards.
Posted: Wed, April 6th, 2011 at 8:14AM
