Exploring the Globe Through Fulbright and Boren: How Two Seawolves Are Shaping the World

Recently, the Graduate School connected with two Seawolves and past recipients of prestigious global fellowships: Michael Dilluvio and Kiara Kolaczyk. The two first crossed paths as undergraduates in the same chemistry class at Stony Brook University and have remained close friends ever since. Winning a fellowship often has lasting effects, propelling awardees toward continued growth and success. Dilluvio and Kolaczyk exemplify this impact, and the Graduate School is proud to share their stories to inspire Seawolves considering a similar path.

Academic and Professional Journeys

Michael Dilluvio earned his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Physiology and Biophysics at Stony Brook University. Passionate about applying his scientific training to real-world challenges, he now works in the biotechnology sector and was awarded a Fulbright U.S. Student English Teaching Assistant fellowship to Morocco.

Kiara Kolaczyk earned her Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and her Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing from Stony Brook University. She currently works as a growth marketing lead at OnMed, a healthcare technology company, and hosts the podcast "Put the Guidebox Down," where she reflects on cultural exchange and travel. Kolaczyk is also a two-time Fulbright English teaching assistant in Moldova and served as a Boren Fellow in Indonesia.

Discovering Fellowships

At Stony Brook, students pursuing nationally competitive awards, including the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, are supported by the Office of External Fellowships and Scholarships in the Graduate School. Jennifer Green, the office's inaugural director, played a central role in building the systems and support structures that continue to guide students through these highly competitive programs.

Dilluvio first learned about Fulbright during the COVID-19 pandemic as an undergraduate, inspired by a friend who was a past awardee. Although unsuccessful on his first application, ​​the process itself proved formative. He reapplied during graduate school and ultimately earned the award. Having audited Arabic language classes at Stony Brook, he was drawn to an Arabic-speaking country for his Fulbright experience, with Morocco emerging as his top choice.

Kolaczyk's fellowship journey followed a similar trajectory. The first fellowship she applied to was the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS). Although she was not selected, the experience provided a solid foundation for future applications. She was later introduced to Fulbright by Green, and the two worked closely to strengthen her Fulbright application. Drawing on her background in linguistics and her interest in Russian, she selected Moldova - a Romanian-speaking country - as her host country.

Kolaczyk later discovered the Boren programthrough her Fulbright colleagues. As a lifelong language learner, she was eager to expand her skills - particularly in an Asian language - while exploring her interests in tourism development and cultural preservation. These goals ultimately led her to Indonesia, further expanding her global experience and professional skill set.

Key Resources and Support

Both Dilluvio and Kolaczyk emphasized the critical role of Stony Brook's Fulbright support program in preparing them for the application process. The program allowed them to connect with applicants and grantees from across institutions while receiving individualized guidance.

"Stony Brook is unique in that we put so much effort into developing our applications," Dilluvio noted. "You get that one-on-one time with the person who's running that bootcamp."

He recalled that Ashley Staples, director of External Fellowships and Scholarly Development at the Graduate School, was enormously supportive throughout the entire process. Both fellows also credited their success to faculty members with whom they had cultivated meaningful relationships.

Staples reflected on working with both students: "Advising Kiara and Michael was a great experience. Though they had each submitted applications before, they recognized how much they had grown and wanted to ensure their current stories, goals and potential future impacts were represented clearly for the current cycle. Most importantly, they fully embraced the work it takes to reflect, write, receive feedback and revise throughout the application process. Both are excellent representatives of Stony Brook students - thoughtful, tenacious and committed to growth."

Overcoming Challenges Abroad

With a resilient mindset, Dilluvio and Kolaczyk approached their fellowships ready to take on new challenges and make the most of every opportunity. However, upon arrival in their host countries, they encountered cultural differences and structural challenges that reshaped their expectations, teaching approaches and personal growth.

In Morocco, Dilluvio designed his lesson plans from scratch, drawing on his STEM background and English minor. Meeting with his students only once per week before transitioning to a new cohort, he initially felt pressured to teach English more efficiently and effectively. Over time, however, his perspective shifted. He came to understand that his role was not simply to teach the language, but to inspire curiosity and confidence in it. Rather than focusing on mastery, he began asking his students: "What do you want to learn? What will make you more interested in English?" In doing so, his role evolved from an English teaching assistant into a mentor who empowered students to pursue learning beyond the classroom.

Kolaczyk faced similar challenges in Moldova. Many of her students were farmers who did not view English as relevant to their daily lives, and language barriers initially made it difficult for her to communicate with colleagues and students. Still, she persisted, steadily improving her language skills and immersing herself in Moldovan culture, gradually earning trust and connection.

When students asked, "We have no desire to leave this city - why do we need English?" Kolaczyk reframed her purpose. Rather than teaching English as an end goal, she focused on teaching students how to learn and develop a genuine interest in the language.

In Indonesia, Kolaczyk encountered a different set of challenges centered on relationship-building. "If you want access to certain people or places, you have to build relationships," she shared. "Everything is about respect." This required patience, cultural sensitivity and a willingness to adapt.

Reflecting on these experiences, Dilluvio advises future fellows to learn the host country's language in advance, noting that it can significantly ease the transition and deepen community engagement. Kolaczyk echoes this advice, emphasizing adaptability and openness. As her cohort often reminded her, the experience demands flexibility - and ultimately, "it's what you make of it."

Lessons and Lasting Impact

What began as a series of challenges became a foundation for growth and direction for both fellows. By navigating unfamiliar systems, cultures and expectations, Kolaczyk and Dilluvio gained a deeper understanding of themselves and their future goals.

Through teaching in Morocco, Dilluvio discovered a passion for mentorship and plans to continue volunteering with educational organizations. In his current biotechnology role, he frequently translates complex research for external partners, applying the communication and teaching skills he developed abroad.

For Kolaczyk, the fellowships clarified her interests in marketing, brand building and business development, leading her to pursue an MBA at Stony Brook. Her continued work in tourism development, language acquisition and cultural preservation has shaped a career that bridges business strategy with global, community-centered impact.​

Cultural Exchange and Soft Diplomacy

​For Dilluvio, cultural exchange is rooted in perspective. Rather than seeing simply "Morocco," he came to understand Maghrib (Arabic for "Morocco"). His goal was not just to reside in the country but also to fully experience it. He describes soft diplomacy as "making connections, disagreeing politically and still respecting one another's perspectives - and hopefully gaining a friend along the way."

Kolaczyk expands on this idea, emphasizing that the impact of cultural exchange cannot be quantified. "You don't leave as the same person you were," she reflected. "You leave with different opinions, views and knowledge you didn't have when you first arrived."

For both fellows, cultural exchange was not an abstract concept, but a lived experience that reshaped their views of the world and their place within it.​

Advice for Future Applicants

For Seawolves considering global fellowships, Kolaczyk offers an encouraging reminder: "It's gonna be uncomfortable," she said, "Get comfortable in the uncomfortable. You deserve to be in the room and see where the world takes you."

Dilluvio added practical reassurance. After applying to Fulbright twice, he found that the process itself became a powerful learning experience. "Between those two applications, I reflected and learned so much - not just about the program, but about how to present my story."

The Graduate School is incredibly proud of Dilluvio and Kolaczyk for their accomplishments and for sharing their journeys and insights. Their stories remind us that while fellowships can open many doors, the most important step is simply getting started.

Beyond celebrating these successes, the Graduate School is committed to guiding and supporting Seawolves at every stage - offering advice, resources and encouragement throughout the fellowship application process and beyond. No matter where your ambitions take you, you won't have to navigate the path alone.

Check out the Graduate School Event Calendarfor upcoming workshops and events, and the External Fellowshipswebsite to learn more about global opportunities.

To hear more about Michael and Kiara's experiences, watch the full interview on YouTube.