Jennifer Gotrik can reasonably claim the title of world traveler.
She has studied and traveled in India, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Dominican Republic, Norway, Sri Lanka and Turkey. This fall, she will return to Turkey on a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship. She is one of five UNL students who have earned ETA grants for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Spending five weeks in the country last summer on an archaeological dig led by University of Nebraska-Lincoln professor Michael Hoff, Gotrik gained a great appreciation for Turkish culture and history.
“It was truly unlike any place I had visited before,” she said.
Laura Damuth, UNL’s fellowship adviser, said, “UNL has offered Jennifer a number of study abroad opportunities, which has really bolstered her desire to travel to nontraditional destinations.”
The extent of her international travel demonstrates her commitment to cultural ambassadorship, which is a chief aim of the Fulbright program. Established in 1946 and funded by the U.S. Department of State, it is designed to foster understanding between the United States and other countries. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program gives recent graduates, graduate students and young professionals the opportunity to conduct research, study or teach in one of 155 designated countries. About 8,000 grants are awarded annually, and about 1,600 of those are awarded to U.S. students.
“I applied for the Fulbright because I very much value what it aims to do by bridging the gap between cultures,” Gotrik said.
A graduate of Gretna High School, Gotrik has earned degrees in journalism and art from UNL. She plans to take to Turkey her art background and her experience in photography with National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore. She will incorporate these skills both inside and outside the classroom, using art in curriculum and documenting her time in the country through photography. Turkey will provide great opportunities for her personal and artistic growth.
Gotrik is excited for the teaching aspect of the Fulbright and how it will build upon her work as a mentor in the William H. Thompson learning community and as an English for Language Learners tutor for Lincoln Literacy. She describes both experiences as “rewarding in so many ways.”
Upon her return, Gotrik plans to apply to a master’s program in photojournalism and documentary filmmaking to work independently on projects dealing with human rights and environmental issues through newspaper photography.
She is among five UNL students who earned Fulbrights in 2015.
