From South Korea to Norway and a few nations in between, a select group of students from the University of Arizona will soon travel the world as Fulbright Scholars, strengthening mutual understanding between the United States and other countries and sharing U of A excellence with the world.

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. State Department's flagship cultural exchange program that supports U.S. scholars conducting research or teaching abroad for up to a year. The program also welcomes international students and faculty to domestic institutions to foster international cooperation and academic exchange. The student program supports graduating seniors, recent alumni and graduate students from all academic disciplines by providing opportunities in more than 140 partner nations under two main categories: English teaching and research.

"We are proud of our Fulbright students, who represent the University of Arizona on a global stage as they continue their education and pursue their passions," said President Suresh Garimella. "These Wildcats are building global connections and gaining invaluable experience. The skills they acquire through the Fulbright program will serve them well as they become the next generation of leaders and innovators."

Related: Seven U of A educators named 2026-2027 Fulbright Scholars

Aspiring Fulbright students at the U of A work with the Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships within the W.A. Franke Honors College to apply for the award. At the helm of that effort is Karna Walter, office director and assistant dean for student engagement. In addition to the Fulbright Scholarship, Walter and her colleagues assist Wildcats from all academic backgrounds apply for awards like the Goldwater, Churchill and Rhodes scholarships.

"I love not only helping our students see the ways their experiences, skills and strengths set them up for success – but helping them tell their own, authentic stories," Walter said. "There are a lot of enjoyable aspects of this job, but my favorite part is helping a student unlock an opportunity. It's really humbling and delightful to be part of moments like that."

More than an international scholarship, Walter said the Fulbright Program offers participants the opportunity to act as informal American ambassadors as they develop long-lasting personal and professional relationships.

The U of A's 2026 Fulbright Student Scholars are: 

• Zoe Bertino, who graduated with two bachelor's degrees: molecular and cellular biology; and philosophy, politics, economics and law. Bertino will leverage experience tutoring high school students to serve as an English teaching assistant in Taiwan.
• Henry Calkins, who graduated with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, and will apply his STEM background as an English teaching assistant in Indonesia.
• Lady Dorothy Elli, who recently earned a master's degree in public health, who will explore the stigma surrounding tuberculosis in Cavite, Philippines, using community-based strategies for education and care.
• Ariel Heinrich, who graduated with a bachelor's degree in microbiology. Heinrich will travel to Tromsø, Norway, to collaborate with local experts in assessing the suitability of romsacin, a novel antimicrobial compound, for development into a clinical treatment against deadly multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.
• Deizha Saenz, who graduated with a bachelor's degree in Spanish and will build on prior study abroad experience in Jeonju and love for Korean culture as an English teaching assistant in South Korea.
• Stella Salmon, who recently earned three bachelor's degrees: ecology and evolutionary biology, Arabic language and Judaic studies. Salmon will pursue a master's degree in global health leadership from the University of Haifa in Israel in preparation for a career in medicine.
• Rory VanGorder, who graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science and another in economics and will serve as an English teaching assistant in Bulgaria.
• Kizil Yusoof, a doctoral student in epidemiology who will examine the influence of religious and cultural practices on awareness of cervical cancer prevention and HPV vaccine decision-making in the urban communities of Mysore, India.

Faculty and students can learn more about and apply to various Fulbright Program fellowships through the university's Fulbright website.