The Fulbright Program helps build connections between the U.S. and other countries through learning, teaching, and cultural exchange. This year, 16 students and alumni from Brigham Young University have been named semi-finalists for the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Program. If selected, they may have the opportunity to conduct research, pursue graduate studies, or teach English in countries around the world, from South America to Europe.
Alexandra Swain—Spain English Teaching Assistant Award
College of Life Sciences: Department of Public Health
Alexandra Swain loves working with children in public health and desires an educational global experience through the Fulbright. She is a semi-finalist for an English Teaching Assistantship award in the region of Galicia in Spain, a region she chose because she wants to implement their exceptional health outcomes in child malnutrition. Being a first-generation college student, Swain learned she can make a difference in the world.
“As a public health nutritionist who wants to focus on child malnutrition, I know a Fulbright will allow me to work for good organizations and learn the habits from healthy children in Spain to implement into my future programs.”
Andrew Bonney—Turkey Study Award
Kennedy Center: Middle Eastern Studies/Arabic
Andrew Bonney has a passion for Middle East and South Caucasus politics. Bonney became aware of tensions between Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan when serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Armenia. After returning home, he began studying Turkey’s role in security, immigration, and culture. Through the Fulbright, Bonney desires to immerse himself in the Turkish culture and hopes to be a better contributor to future American foreign policy.
“The Fulbright program will give me the context and contacts necessary for me to understand Turkey on a deeper level, seize opportunities for the good it offers, and develop cross-cultural understanding between it and the U.S.”
Peter Demars—Portugal Study Award
College of Humanities: Department of Linguistics, Spanish, and Portuguese
Peter Demars aspires to complete a master’s degree in translation in Portugal. Demars developed an appreciation of the poetry, music, and literature in Portugal while completing a BYU study abroad in the summer of 2022. Demars desires to make Portuguese literature available to more audiences, and the Fulbright will help him do this.
“I love Fulbright's focus on creating connections between different countries and cultures—that's something I'm motivated by, and I believe it forms the foundation of translation in and of itself.”
Mark Ensign—Master of Diplomacy at National Chengchi University in Taiwan
Kennedy Center: Department of International Relations and Chinese
Mark Ensign focused his academic interests primarily on developments within the Taiwan Strait, which naturally made Taiwan his most desirable Fulbright host country. He hopes the Fulbright will allow him to receive language training, internship opportunities, and a master’s degree.
“As I pursue a future career in diplomacy, ideally navigating the tense relations between the U.S., China, and Taiwan within the Taiwan Strait, I seek to gain more academic knowledge of the contemporary developments in the region and additionally, would like to deepen my understanding of Chinese language and culture. Fulbright will help me to do all of these.”
Kaitlin Lyman—Taiwan Study Award
Kennedy Center: Asian Studies Program
Kaitlin Lyman fell in love with the people and culture of Taiwan after serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints there. She hopes to return for a more in-depth experience with the culture and people while continuing her education. Her love of learning led to her discovery of the Fulbright as she plans for a master’s in ethnic relations and cultures.
“Not only will a Fulbright award help me to maintain financial independence, but it will also allow me to focus all of my attention on my studies and the experience of interacting with indigenous people in Taiwan.”
Berlin Barnett—Kyrgyzstan English Teaching Assistant Award
College of Life Sciences: Department of Cell Biology and Physiology
Berlin Barnett anticipates a unique experience filled with helping people and learning new life skills through the Fulbright before attending medical school. Barnett aspires to be a representative of the U.S. and gain an added perspective on a different culture. She sees the Fulbright as an opportunity to build cross-cultural understanding to assist her future work as a physician.
“As a physician, I want to be able to communicate with my patients from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. I believe the Fullbright will prepare me to do that. Learning another language myself will also help me to empathize with my students and patients who have learned second and third languages.”
Samuel McKinnon—Brazil Research Award
College of Engineering: Department of Mechanical Engineering
Samuel McKinnon is pursuing a PhD at BYU in mechanical engineering. His research focuses on the social impact of technology on individuals, families, and communities. Through the Fulbright, he aspires to conduct research in Itacoatiara, Amazonas, Brazil, after which he desires to be a professor, and continue his research.
“A Fulbright felt like the opportunity and adventure of a lifetime. I believe by collaborating with my friends and colleagues in Itacoatiara, we can combine our skills in engineering design and agricultural development to learn new ways to responsibly support communities in the Amazon, and the beautiful rainforest that surrounds them.”
Blake Bullock—Germany English Teaching Assistant Award
College of Humanities: Department of German and Russian
Blake Bullock always had an interest in Germany and the German language due to his grandpa being raised in Germany. While participating in a BYU Germany study abroad in summer 2024, his love for the German people and culture grew. Through the Fulbright Program, he is looking forward to helping students in Germany with their English skills while also improving his German and is eager to gain experience abroad to benefit his future career. Bullock then plans to attend law school.
“Ever since I was a little kid, I wanted to see the world. That desire led me to love studying foreign languages and cultures, and having the chance to serve a foreign mission and participate in two study abroad programs only intensified my love of going abroad.”
Christian Barker—Australia Research Award
College of Life Sciences: Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology
Christian Barker first grew to love of Australia while attending a 10-week research internship in Melbourne in summer 2024, and he hopes to return there for his Fulbright experience. As research requires a lot of collaboration, Barker hopes to make life-long connections with his colleagues. His love of research, traveling, and learning increased his desire to apply for the Fulbright as he prepares to attend medical school in 2026.
“It's so easy for me to be absorbed in academics. The research I hope to do in Australia will be an opportunity to expand my skill set in the lab, but more important are the connections I hope to make there.”
Kayla Stephensen—Peru Research Award
College of Life Sciences: Department of Biology
Kayla Stephensen aspires to go into academia, focusing on research to help prepare her to shape the minds of the next generation of student scholars. Her desire in applying for the Fulbright in Peru is centered around adventure, discovery, and connections. Stephensen hopes to meet new people and make international connections, inspired by the example set by her current mentors.
“I have mentors who are devout disciples of Jesus Christ, and those are the kinds of exemplars I want to emulate in my future career.”
Sydney Christley—South Korea Study Award
College of Humanities: Department of Linguistics
Sydney Christley anticipates completing a master’s degree in South Korea. Christley became interested in the Fulbright after having opportunities to work with the BYU National Scholarship and Prestigious Fellowship office. The Fulbright would help fund her master’s degree, as well as open doors for future opportunities. Christley hopes to gain more experience with the culture and Korean language.
“If I receive the Fulbright, I would attend a university in South Korea to earn my master's degree in Korean language and literature and then pursue a further doctorate in linguistics.”
Melinda Garrard—Philippines Research Award
College of Family Home and Social Sciences: School of Social Work
Melinda Garrard grew to love the Philippines after serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints there. Garrard aspires to research the effects of social media on mental health in the Philippines to compare with the United States. She hopes to better understand the different cultural factors that can help protect against mental illness.
“I have always loved learning about different cultures and I wanted to continue to build connections and learn from those in different areas of the world. I think research is a huge factor in making a difference and in understanding and solving problems.”
The other four BYU Fulbright 2025 semi-finalists are:
- Emma Israelsen—South Korea English Teaching Assistant Award
- Waverly Maughan—South Korea English Teaching Assistant Award
- Curtis Hoffman—Thailand Research Award
- Dan Raleigh—Kenya English Teaching Assistant Award
These 16 students have made tremendous efforts in their academic pursuits to be where they are today and are prepared to make a positive impact on a global scale. Their achievements reflect not only academic excellence, but also a strong commitment to lifelong service.
The 2026-2027 Fulbright application cycle is now open. Contact the BYU National Scholarships and Prestigious Fellowships office to learn more about the opportunities the Fulbright offers.