Fulbright Spotlight: Amélie Nkodo
VCU medical student Amélie Nkodo is spending a year in Cameroon, fully funded by the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Read on for an inside look at Amélie’s experience abroad so far and to learn more about what Fulbright could look like for you!
Name: Amélie Nkodo
Degree: M.D., Virginia Commonwealth University, 2024
Fulbright Program: Study/Research, 2024
Country: Cameroon
What program/country did you choose and why?
“I am the recipient of a 2023-2024 US Fulbright Student Research Award in Cameroon. As a medical student with interests in health equity & public health, I seek to understand how health systems adapt and respond to patient needs in under-resourced settings. My reasons for selecting my host country are two-fold: 1) my parents are from Cameroon, and 2) I had the support from the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation in Yaoundé (the capital of Cameroon) to develop a project related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare services for people living with HIV.”
What made you want to apply for Fulbright in the first place?
“I love research, it is an activity that I have woven into my entire medical training. From 2021 until my departure for Cameroon, I worked with Professor Rebecca Etz and the team at the Larry A. Green Center on a project on telehealth services in safety-net clinics during the early COVID-19 pandemic. I was featured as a student story by the medical school for this project. Following this story, the National Scholarship Office at VCU contacted me and suggested that I apply for the Fulbright. It had not crossed my mind prior to this!”
In what ways did your Fulbright program inform your future goals?
“I am committed to pursuing a career as an academic physician and health services researcher. The Fulbright program has encouraged me to pursue this goal with renewed confidence and enthusiasm. It has also allowed me to broaden my clinical and research interests to include patients with HIV/AIDS.”
What was your most memorable experience?
“A recent memorable experience was on Valentine’s Day! A fellow Fulbrighter in Cameroon organized a Galentine’s Day dinner bringing together friends living in Yaoundé, who were originally from all over the world, including Cameroon, Guinea, Egypt, Morocco, Spain, and the United States. For me this experience resonates with the mission of the Fulbright program that seeks to nurture cross-cultural exchange, mutual understanding, and peaceful relations.”
What advice would you give to prospective Fulbright applicants?
“Don’t be afraid to go for it! I never would’ve imagined that I would be a Fulbright awardee, but here I am today. For students applying for a research award, I believe that identifying a host organization that is excited to have you join their team can go a long way for the success of your application as well as your success on the ground.”
The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The program operates in over 160 countries worldwide. Over 2,000 grants are given to graduating seniors, recent alumni, and graduate students to conduct research, carry out creative projects, pursue a year of postgraduate study, or teach English abroad.
VCU’s National Scholarship Office (NSO) assists students and recent alumni with the application process for the Fulbright Program and other esteemed awards. To learn more about external funding opportunities, schedule an appointment with a member of the NSO staff.
Categories Fulbright Award