- Miranda Kuzela, a graduate of Papillion-La Vista South High School, is majoring in Russian, political science, Spanish and global studies. She has received a Fulbright award to teach English in Russia. Kuzela has been awarded several national scholarships already: the Gilman Award to study in Kazakhstan; the Critical Language Award to study Russian in Vladimir, Russia; and the Boren Scholarship to study Russian in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. She applied for the Fulbright because “it allows me to combine my love for language learning and teaching with my interest in intercultural understanding. I really want to hone these skills through this experience and apply them to my future desired career in the Foreign Service.”
- In preparation for her teaching, Kuzela has been a volunteer English tutor through Lincoln Literacy, a local nonprofit that provides free English language training to immigrants. She has also been a teaching assistant for Russian courses at Nebraska and a Russian tutor. Outside of the classroom in Russia, Kuzela plans to host a weekly or biweekly film club where she will screen American movies and lead discussions.
- The flagship international educational exchange program of the U.S. Department of State, Fulbright provides fully-funded opportunities to spend 1 academic year abroad in a specific host country. The heart of the Fulbright exchange program is the mission to foster mutual understanding between nations, advance knowledge across communities, and improve lives around the world. Fulbright students build lasting relationships and networks, as well as career-relevant skills, like cultural competency. Graduating seniors, recent alumni, and graduate students may apply for Fulbright U.S. Student awards.
