Academics

Fulbright Features: Penn State graduate anticipates life-changing experience

Penn State graduate Marcy Herr worked in orphanage in Jaipur, India, for three weeks in 2012 as part of a trip with the Schreyer Honors College. The experience helped her shape her goals for the future. In January, Herr will depart for a 10-month Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Malaysia. Credit: Marcy HerrAll Rights Reserved.

Penn State students are traveling around the world to conduct research, teach English, attend master's degree programs and more as part of the Fulbright Program, a highly sought-after nine-month international educational exchange program funded by the U.S. Department of State. This is the eighth story in a series of essays written by Penn State student Fulbright winners who have returned from or have just embarked on their trips.

While the official total won’t be released until November, at least 15 students have been offered the scholarship this year, according to Penn State’s University Fellowships Office. Last year, 11 Penn State students received the prestigious scholarship. For more information about applying for the program, visit the University Fellowships Office’s website. Click here to read more Fulbright Features.

 

Every Penn State experience is different, but I am excited to share the story of my own path to being awarded a 2014 Fulbright English Teaching Assistant program grant to Malaysia. In May, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education and public policy and a master’s degree in Educational Theory and Policy-Comparative and International Education. I tried to take advantage of many of the opportunities that Penn State offered me, and I was involved in the Schreyer Honors College, Presidential Leadership Academy, College of Education Student Council and the Senior Class Gift Committee.

My time at Penn State not only shaped my development, but the experiences I had throughout my four years all contributed to preparing me for the challenges that lie ahead as I move to Malaysia. I have always been passionate about education, but it was not until a trip to India with the Schreyer Honors College in 2012 that I discovered my interest in other cultures and working abroad. Working in an orphanage in India for three weeks introduced me to what it is like to be immersed in a culture so different from my own. This was one of the most challenging experiences of my life, but overcoming the difficulties of working through culture shock and communication barriers was so rewarding in the end. The joy I had while teaching English to children from a rural village was overwhelming and gave me a small taste of what I anticipate I will be experiencing as a Fulbright ETA.

The duration of my grant is from January to November 2015, and I will be teaching English in a Malaysian high school. Outside of the classroom, I am expected to be involved in extracurricular activities with my students and will also plan and host a couple weekend English camps throughout the year. The first month of my grant will be spent in the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, where I will have classes related to cultural norms, personal safety, history and government, the national language — Malay — and other topics to help ease my assimilation process. I am looking forward to meeting my Fulbright cohort that will be a part of this journey with me.

One of the many things that my experience in India taught me is that this will be an international exchange, meaning that I will not only be teaching English, but in return I will also be learning from my students about their lives and cultures. Mentally preparing myself to go into this experience with an open mind is crucial to my development and will also show my students and community in Malaysia that I respect and value their culture. 

I made sure to keep the Fulbright program on my radar during my junior year and did some research about the various grant opportunities before I had a meeting with Dr. Ruth Mendum, the director of the Undergraduate Fellowships Office. Dr. Mendum helped me to match my experiences and interests to the English Teaching Assistantship that best suited me, since students are only permitted to apply for a grant to one country.

Throughout the application process, I learned as much as I could about Malaysia and the education system in order to make it clear in my application that Malaysia and I were the right fit for each other. The guidance of Dr. Mendum and the Fulbright adviser that I was assigned were valuable to me and helped guide me through the application process.

Fulbright English Teaching Assistantships all start at different times, based on the academic year of the host country. As I get ready to leave for Malaysia in January, I have been doing what I can to best prepare. I know that it would be helpful to have a basic knowledge of Malay, as well as the geography, history and culture of the region, so I have been reading and researching about these topics. I also have been talking to as many current or former Fulbright recipients or those who can provide me with guidance regarding life in South Asia. My grant will pass by quickly, so I have also been thinking about my career plans after my time in Malaysia. I will certainly miss my family throughout my grant period, so I am being intentional about spending quality time together with them before I leave.

Although I am feeling nervous as I prepare for my Jan. 2 departure date, I am confident that this will be a life-changing and extremely fulfilling 10 months for me as I move to Malaysia as not only a cultural ambassador of the United States but also a representative of the University that helped me to reach this point. 

Last Updated October 28, 2014