MILLSTONE – Rachel Schlegel of Millstone Township has received a place on a Fulbright Summer Institute to study at Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland.
The United States-United Kingdom Fulbright Commission is the only bilateral, transatlantic scholarship program, offering awards and summer programs for study or research in any field, at any accredited U.S. or United Kingdom university, according to a press release.
Schlegel will attend a four-week program. The Irish Studies Summer School introduces students to the broad range of topics in Irish Studies, but with particular references to the influence of the north of Ireland on history, culture and politics in Ireland, focusing on the nature of conflict, according to the press release.
Students learn about and experience the underlying difficulties in a divided society, along with cultural outworkings of forms of British and Irish identity. They will also be able to examine Northern Ireland in terms of its relationships, political, economic and cultural, within the United Kingdom and in the world, and meet politicians from all major political parties in Northern Ireland, according to the press release.
“Upon learning that I had been accepted to the Fulbright summer program at Belfast, I was overjoyed,” Schlegel said. “Fulbright is an organization that promotes experiential learning through immersion in a new culture, as well as academic learning inside of the classroom. As someone who thoroughly values the opportunity to gain new insight, I am eager to speak with and learn from my Fulbright comrades.
“I will use these four weeks abroad to make personal connections that will enable me to grow and expand my own perspective. I am also looking forward to speaking with natives of Northern Ireland about the effects of conflict and violence on their lives. I will draw from the insight I gain in Belfast in my professional career.
“As a rising sophomore at Villanova University, I am pursuing a major of pre-health Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience and hoping to earn my MD/PhD in the area of psychiatric studies. To learn about the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder, resulting from a history deeply rooted in civil wars and conflict, on the community of Belfast will be an invaluable experience. I am very grateful and honored to accept this opportunity,” Schlegel said.
Fulbright Summer Institute covers all participant costs, according to the press release.