Newswise — The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has once again placed Olin College of Engineering on its list of U.S. colleges and universities that produced the most Fulbright U.S. students. Olin’s status as a top Fulbright student producer for 2018-2019 is in the special focus four-year institutions category and was announced online in the February 11 edition of The Chronicle of Higher Education.

Olin’s appearance on the 2018-2019 list came thanks to Olin graduate Michael Costello who was awarded the Fulbright last yearCostello ’18 is in Taiwan on an assistantship teaching English. When he was awarded the Fulbright last year, Costello said, “For me, the Fulbright represents an incredible opportunity to stretch my own cultural understanding, practice cross-cultural exchange, and create authentic relationships inside and outside the classroom.” 

In its short history, Olin has produced 17 Fulbright scholars, consistently placing among the top producers.

“Applying for a Fulbright scholarship is not easy – it’s a challenging, labor-intensive process.  Students need to be crystal clear on the work they want to do internationally, and where they want to do it,” said Sally Phelps, Director of Post-Graduate Planning. “Fortunately, Olin has the talent and passion within its student body to present compelling applications, and a strong faculty/staff team to work closely with them to bring it all together.  Many thanks to Professor Caitrin Lynch and Assistant Director of Post-Graduate Planning Aarti Chellakere, and the colleagues who join them, for their amazing work year after year!”

Since its inception in 1946, the Fulbright Program, the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program, has provided more than 380,000 participants — chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential — with the opportunity to exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns. More than 1,900 U.S. students, artists and young professionals in more than 100 different fields of study are offered Fulbright Program grants to study, teach English, and conduct research abroad each year. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program operates in over 140 countries throughout the world.

Click here for more information about the Fulbright Program.