Five West Virginia Universitystudents and alumni are recipients of prestigious Fulbright Scholarships to teach English or conduct research abroad over the next year.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is the U.S. government's flagship international exchange program, offering fellowships to students and recent graduates interested in building international relationships.

A seasoned international traveler, Felicia Carrara lived in Costa Rica and Nicaragua as a teenager while her parents worked for a nongovernmental organization, and in 2024, she studied Russian in Kyrgyzstan as a Critical Language Scholarship recipient.

An August 2025 graduate with a degree in international studiesand a minor in Russian studies, Carrara will serve as an English teaching assistant in Moldova as part of the Fulbright program.

"After I earned the Critical Language Scholarship and got to learn Russian alongside so many individuals who were passionate about international relations and experiencing the world, Fulbright felt like the natural next step to use my privilege of speaking English as a first language to give back and teach it to others," she said.

"I'm most looking forward to really digging into the community where I'm placed and learning about Moldova itself. The nation is often called a crossroads of culture since it's been influenced by many of its neighbors for so long. As a kid who grew up in a blend of cultures, I know Moldova will present its own unique blend that I can't wait to experience and understand."

Bane Clements-Smart, a Kenai, Alaska, native, who graduated in May with dual degrees in international studies and sustainability, will serve as an English teaching assistant in Tainan City, Taiwan, working with children to develop English proficiencies, and to facilitate intercultural exchanges with his students and the broader Taiwanese community.

"I had the chance to study abroad in Taiwan my very first summer at WVU and felt a deep connection with the nation and its people, as we both share a common background with mainland Chinese heritage, but have shaped that cultural influence into a new, distinct identity," he said.

"After serving as an academic coach for fellow students at WVU in the years since that study abroad experience, I discovered a strong interest in education and decided to take the leap and apply for the chance to continue learning and teaching others in a place I consider my second home."

Joshua Freeman,a native of Bridgeport who graduated in December 2024 with dual bachelor's degrees in accountingand finance, will serve as an English teaching assistant in South Korea during his Fulbright program. A firm believer in the importance and value of education, Freeman is looking forward to learning a new culture and language, as well as sharing his with others.

"I'll get to see life through a different culture and gain a better understanding of how people in Korea live and think," he said.

"Academically, being in a classroom on the teaching side of things will give me a new perspective on learning. For many Koreans, learning English opens doors to job opportunities and global culture. Being able to support that learning process really resonates with me, especially with the impact I've seen education have on my own life. My education has allowed me to work in the fields I'm passionate about and to take on cool experiences like Fulbright."

Sam Grinsteadof Des Moines, Iowa, graduated in May 2024 with a master's degree in wildlife and fisheries resources. An ecologist by trade, his graduate research focused on the effects of deforestation and dam construction on aquatic ecosystems in the Amazon.

"Being in the Amazon as a scientist was the most incredible experience of my life," he said. "I promised myself I would return as a scientist again as soon as I possibly could."

Now, as a recipient of the Fulbright Research award, Grinstead will conduct a research study in Manaus, Brazil, quantifying mercury contamination in aquatic food webs using stable isotope analysis.

"I learned about mercury contamination in the Amazon, and how it causes ecological and public health problems around Manaus," he said. "This particular city has one of the largest inland fisheries in the world with one of the highest rates of fish consumption. We will quantify mercury pollution in food fish, trace its pollutant sources, and provide publicly accessible information in the form of booklets and infographics about safe fish consumption."

Adelaide McDonald, a Hookstown, Pennsylvania, native currently pursuing dual master's degrees in vocal performanceand musicology, will also serve as an English teaching assistant in South Korea. As someone with a goal of becoming a professor, McDonald has a deep appreciation for teaching, language and cultural exchange.

"I love learning through experience, and I'm eager to learn about daily life in Korea from my students, coworkers and the community members," she said.

"The South Korean program provides an in-depth orientation, including classwork, on teaching English as a second language and Korean language classes. Having primarily taught private voice lessons and served as a teaching assistant in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, I knew I wanted to receive more training and push myself to be as prepared as possible to teach and engage with my students through language and culture."

WVU students and alumni receive support from the ASPIRE Officeas they compete for nationally competitive awards like the Fulbright Scholarship.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Lindsay WilleyDirector of Marketing and CommunicationsWVU Honors College304-293-9077; [email protected]

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