Whether teaching English in Kyrgyzstan, conducting medical research in Australia, studying politics in Turkey, or analyzing languages in Portugal, six Brigham Young University graduates will make new connections around the world as 2025 Fulbright scholars. These students exemplify the values of global citizenship, service, and academic excellence.
The Fulbright Scholarship is awarded to students pursuing graduate studies, research, or teaching English abroad. Over the next few weeks, we’ll spotlight four of the Fulbright recipients to illustrate how their life paths and BYU experiences shaped them, what inspired their applications, and where they hope to make a difference.
We begin with Berlin Barnett, recipient of the Fulbright Kyrgyzstan English Teaching Assistant Award.
Berlin Barnett graduated from BYU in April 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in cell biology and physiology, College of Life Sciences. Before Barnett attends medical school, she will take a gap year as a Fulbright recipient to teach English in Kyrgyzstan beginning fall of 2025. Barnett loves to learn and hopes to incorporate her passions into her Fulbright journey.
Barnett learned about the Fulbright through her sister and close friend. She always dreamed of an experience abroad while learning a new language. When Barnett discovered the Fulbright Scholarship, Barnett knew this was exactly what she was looking for.
As Barnett learned more about Kyrgyzstan, she connected with the country’s history of nomadic horse riding, as she grew up riding horses and currently teaches riding lessons. It occurred to Barnett that, in addition to teaching English, she could teach horseback riding lessons to adolescents. Barnett believes horseback riding can help people learn new skills and could be a unique way to connect with the people and culture of Kyrgyzstan.
“I think riding horses really molded me into the person I am today as far as learning the value of hard work, not being afraid to get your hands dirty, and not being afraid to be bad at something,” Barnett said. “It’s been really formulative for me of learning how to get bucked off and get back up and on again.”
BYU had a great impact on Barnett’s career and goals. Her research experience in her lab the past three and a half years was a constant in her education. Working with people who come from different backgrounds helped Barnett feel prepared for the cross-cultural exchange experience she will encounter. Barnett is grateful for the collaborative environment BYU offers and knows the people she’s worked with will always support her. She feels a sense of community and is empowered to create those communities elsewhere.
“As a woman at BYU who is pursuing medicine, I’ve encountered a lot of notions about what that means; but this community has been based on acceptance and also empowerment of women,” Barnett said. “We have lots of girls in my lab who are pursuing Ph.Ds., who want to be doctors, who want to go into bioinformatics. It’s a supportive environment for me personally, but also as a woman to come into my own and feel I have the ability to be supported in what I want to pursue.”
For future applicants, Barnett suggests becoming involved in different communities. Get outside your comfort zone and find your why. Barnett focused on being authentic to herself while being the strongest applicant she could be.
“It really was this feeling of rightness; that this was the right path for me and the work I put in paid off for the scholarship,” Barnett said. “I wasn’t expecting it, I’m not going to lie, but it did confirm my desires, and it feels really the right decision for me. I feel good about it.”
Barnett will spend 10 months in Kyrgyzstan teaching English and horseback riding lessons. She hopes to assist with the prevention of gender-based violence and advocate for sex education. After her return, Barnett plans to attend medical school and become a doctor. With the cross-cultural exchange Barnett will gain through the Fulbright, she hopes to one day participate in Doctors Without Borders.
With her medical ambition, cross-cultural curiosity, and lifelong love of horseback riding, Barnett is ready to make her mark in Kyrgyzstan. Her journey is just beginning.
Stay tuned next week as we introduce another Fulbright recipient.
The Fulbright application opens every April. To learn more about the Fulbright Scholarship, contact the National Scholarships and Prestigious Fellowships office.