Erin Nelsen 鈥20.
St. 暗网禁区 congratulates Erin Nelsen 鈥20, who has received a Fulbright scholarship to Aberystwyth University in Wales. Nelsen is the second St. Kate鈥檚 student to receive a Fulbright this year.
With this yearlong Master of Arts program Fulbright grant, Nelsen will study International Relations with a concentration in Feminist Security and serve as a cultural ambassador, enhancing mutual understanding between Americans and the people of the United Kingdom.
鈥I feel overwhelmingly grateful for trusting the process,鈥 Nelsen said. 鈥淚 am also so thankful to everyone who encouraged me to go for this far-off dream that is now a reality.鈥 A double-major in International Relations and Women & International Development, Nelsen was first named an alternate in the Fulbright U.S. Student Program in the United Kingdom. Fellow classmate, Addison Cross 鈥20, was named a Fulbright scholar to El Salvador for the 2021-2022 academic year.
Though this is her first Fulbright venture, Nelsen is not new to foreign studies, as she has studied abroad four times throughout her undergraduate time at St. Kate鈥檚.
Nelsen credits her mentors for encouraging her to pursue this and other dreams during her time at St. Kate鈥檚. Business Administration professor Mary Henderson, Ed.D., Fulbright Fellowship advisors Allison Adrian, Ph.D. and Mysee Chang, and alumna and role model Jordyn Arndt all supported her confidence to apply for Fulbright. 鈥淲hile we were here to support her, she really owned the process and navigated uncharted territories,鈥 Chang said. 鈥淭his achievement just shows Erin's ability to persevere through many rigorous application cycles. And I personally think that it speaks to her passion and commitment to be an influential leader in her field.鈥
The United Kingdom, the among Fulbright applicants, only awarded 46 out of over 1,000 applicants for study/research for the 2021-22 cycle. Nelsen competed against both graduate candidates and undergraduates. 鈥淔or Erin as an undergraduate candidate to receive a research/study award, it is a big deal,鈥 Chang said. 鈥淚t is a testament of her intellect, character, drive, and maturity.鈥
This summer, Nelsen is serving as a Political, Economic, and Public Affairs intern with the Department of State鈥檚 U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam. Nelsen was planning on interning in Vietnam but with travel restrictions due to COVID-19, she is working out of the U.S. instead.
When she arrives in Wales in September, Nelsen looks forward to learning more about Welsh language and culture, mountaineering, and volunteering with local womxn鈥檚 empowerment groups. Once she completes her Fulbright program, Nelsen hopes to work on feminist security issues with the U.S. Government, empowering women and other underrepresented communities.