Kaley Cook, a senior global studies major with minors in English, political science and film studies at UNL, has been awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to teach and study in the Czech Republic during the 2014-15 academic year.
Cook studied in France in spring 2011, and said the experience enhanced her interest in languages and international travel. Now, through a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship, Cook will teach English while reinforcing her own skills in the Czech language and immersing herself in Czech culture.
In addition to her teaching responsibilities, the Lincoln Southwest graduate said she plans to volunteer with school or community drama and debate clubs. She said she hopes that the programs will continue to grow after she returns to the United States.
Cook said she is interested in the history of communism and totalitarian regimes and wants to talk to people in the Czech Republic about their post-World War II experiences.
Cook went on to write an honors thesis exploring the adaptation of Shakespearean materials in different cultural settings.
Upon returning to the United States, Cook said she plans to pursue a master’s degree in eastern European studies with an emphasis on the comparison of eastern and western European development after 1950. After postgraduate study, Cook said she hopes to work for the Department of State, focusing on diplomacy and development in eastern Europe under the European Union.
The Fulbright Program, established in 1946 and funded by the U.S. Department of State, is designed to foster understanding between the United States and other countries. The U.S. Student Fulbright program gives recent graduates, graduate students and young professionals the opportunity to conduct research, study, or teach in one of the 155 designated countries. About 8,000 grants are awarded annually, and about 1,600 of those grants are awarded to U.S. students.
Cook’s is the seventh announced Fulbright this year for UNL students. Others include:
Abigail Jameson, a nutrition and health sciences major, to Indonesia: http://go.unl.edu/ttkp
Emily Heineman, a German and history major, to Germany: http://go.unl.edu/dgtt
Paul Strauss, a history doctoral candidate, to Germany: http://go.unl.edu/eo3o
Kelleen Browning, a German and German secondary education major, to Germany: http://go.unl.edu/xurm
Laura Peters, a graduate student in modern languages and literatures, to Germany: http://go.unl.edu/5v3k
Rachel O’Hanlon, a psychology major, to Bulgaria: http://go.unl.edu/hmqp.
