All over the United States, students apply for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, focused on opportunities to pursue graduate study, conduct research, or teach English abroad. Students have the chance to participate in all academic disciplines with over 140 countries in partnership. Out of thousands of applicants, five Brigham Young University students and alumni have been selected as the 2026-2027 semi-finalists.
Cole Bourne—Mexico Business Study Award
Marriott School of Business: Department of Strategic Management
Cole Bourne has always longed for a career in international business. After interning with a startup in Mexico City during the summer of 2025, Bourne grew an increased appreciation for the culture and business environment Mexico City provides. He met many Fulbright scholars while interning and discovered the program would not only benefit him professionally but also give him the chance to share BYU’s mission. He hopes to create a positive impact through uplifting others.
“BYU has taught me that true leadership and learning begin with discipleship. One of the university’s most distinctive strengths is its emphasis on prioritizing eternal principles alongside intellectual development,” Bourne said. “My time here has been filled with meaningful spiritual and academic experiences that have shaped who I am. BYU has given me a vision of leadership rooted not just in competence, but in character.”
David Camacho—Estonia Research Award
College of Computational, Mathematical, and Physical Sciences: Department of Mathematics
David Camacho is a graduate student in the mathematics program, focusing on mathematical modeling, machine learning, and disease progression modeling. Camacho is fascinated with studying Estonia’s digital health infrastructure because of its advanced, national-scale data system. Through the Fulbright, Camacho hopes to improve global health through predictive, data-driven medicine, and strengthening international collaboration in AI-driven healthcare. Camacho aspires to be a physician-scientist that develops modeling tools to be used across countries and healthcare systems.
“Through the Fulbright, I hope to build relationships that extend beyond a single project. I want to learn from Estonia’s approach to digital governance and contribute technical expertise in disease modeling,” Camacho said. “My research in Alzheimer’s disease modeling is deeply personal and mission driven. The loss of my brother to appendiceal cancer intensified my desire to contribute meaningfully to medical science. BYU has encouraged me to pursue excellence not for prestige, but for service.”
Ilse Eskelsen— Luxembourg English Teaching Assistantship Award
College of Humanities: Department of English
Ilse Eskelsen is excited for the opportunity that an English teaching assistantship would provide. After working at BYU’s Research and Writing Center for three years, Eskelsen has grown an immense love for teaching. Eskelsen lived in Stuttgart, Germany from ages nine to fourteen, and went on two BYU study abroad programs. Both experiences prepared Eskelsen to live overseas. Eskelsen is grateful for the advice from the National Scholarships and Prestigious Fellowships office, and the chance the office gave her to strengthen her application.
“I have found so much value in the opportunity to study my faith from a scholarly perspective while at BYU,” Eskelsen said. “Even outside of my religion classes, I’ve gotten to learn from incredible theology-minded professors like Miranda Wilcox and Terryl Givens. Breaking down the binary of the spiritual and intellectual in this way has been a gift to both my religious practice and my academic understanding of the world and the people and ideas that inhabit it.”
McClay Sommers— Uzbekistan English Teaching Assistantship Award
College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences: Department of Political Science
McClay Sommers is a senior in the Department of Political Science with minors in Russian and Spanish. He loves the level of education BYU provides and for the opportunity to grow professionally and personally. Throughout the application process, Amy McLaughlin, National Scholarships and Prestigious Fellowships coordinator, encouraged Sommers to highlight his abilities in a compelling way. BYU has encouraged Sommers to continue to find ways to serve his family and his community.
“I believe that education is one of the most powerful forces for expanding opportunity, and language learning specifically pushes those boundaries in uniquely visible ways,” Sommers said. “It has allowed me to step into conversations, homes, and communities that otherwise would have remained foreign. These experiences have granted me professional opportunities, personal growth, and a deeper sense of compassion. I am motivated by the idea of helping others expand their world through education and language learning.”
Our other Fulbright semi-finalist: Curtis Hoffmann—Thailand Research Award
Each student has dedicated countless hours into their Fulbright application, and through their hard work, have been recognized as Fulbright Semi-Finalists. Through each of their time and experiences at BYU, every one of them have grown to become a disciple scholar as they prepare to serve communities outside the U.S.
The 2027-2028 Award Cycle opens in Spring 2026. To learn more about the Fulbright, contact the BYU National Scholarships and Prestigious Fellowships office.