National Scholarship Office

Fulbright Spotlight: Maya Barnes

VCU alumna Maya Barnes spent one year in Thailand, fully funded by the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Learn more about what Fulbright could look like for you!

What program/country did you choose and why?

I chose the English Teaching Assistant program in Thailand; I had never been to Asia, and I was interested in learning more about Buddhism while I was there.

What made you want to apply for Fulbright in the first place?

Someone from the NSO reached out while I was doing another English teaching program in Spain in 2019 and asked if I’d be interested in applying. I hadn’t considered doing so until then, so I figured it could be a unique opportunity to try.

What was your most memorable experience during your grant year?

There were several, but one that stands out was my internship in Chiang Mai at a local non-profit that empowers sex workers. I taught English to a group of women and formed strong connections with many of them.

What did a typical day look like?

During my grant, I taught about three classes a day, with a lunch break in between. After school, I typically walked around campus, played badminton with students, or participated in an aerobic exercise class in town. Sometimes, my school also hosted after-school events for teachers and students that I joined. In the evening, I would either cook a meal at home or ride my bike into town to stop by a food cart.

What did you discover about yourself?

I discovered how adaptable I can be in new and unfamiliar situations.

Post-Fulbright, what are you doing now?

I work for a remote education tech company supporting non-traditional college students. I am a Student Success Advocate and communicate with students via our text message service.

In what ways did your Fulbright program inform your current/future path? Anything unexpected?

My Fulbright experience made me realize I wanted to work in education in some capacity, even if it wasn’t teaching.

What advice would you give to prospective Fulbright applicants?

I advise prospective applicants to identify their personal connection to their Fulbright country or program. This can help make their application more meaningful.

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.

Some text has been edited for clarity.

Categories Fulbright Award, Fulbright ETA Award
Tagged Fulbright Award, Fulbright ETA Award