For Madeleine Wang ’26, a return to Taiwan is more than a chance to revisit a place she loves. It’s an opportunity to teach, mentor, and build lasting relationships across cultures.

“I first fell in love with Taiwan as a Chinese language student and a visitor,” says Wang, who majored in mathematics and neuroscience. “But returning with the Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship [ETA] allows me to fully immerse myself in the local community.” 

Wang is one of three members of the Class of 2026 to receive Fulbright grants, empowering them to teach English and pursue deafness-education projects across the globe next year. Simba Makhsud ’26, who majored in sociology & anthropology, will embark on an ETA to Uzbekistan, while Joey Driscoll ’26 pursues research and workshops in Italy through a Deafness Studies Award. Another alumnus, Noah Sandfort ’25, who majored in economics and political science, will do an ETA in Taiwan.

Wang is most excited to step into a mentorship role, using her English-teaching skills to shape the lives of young scholars.

“By sharing a snapshot of my own culture and upbringing, I hope to inspire meaningful cultural exchange,” she says, “while embracing this journey for my own personal growth, learning more about myself as I grow alongside the community.”

For Driscoll, who majored in educational studies and linguistics, the opportunity combines academic interests with a longstanding commitment to deaf education.

“From [being a teaching assistant] for ASL classes at Swarthmore to student teaching at the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, I've completely fallen in love with the Deaf community and sign language education,” says Driscoll.

“I'm thrilled that Fulbright offers an award related to deafness studies,” she adds, “and excited to be doing research and sign language arts workshops in Siena, Rome, and Venice.”

Two other members of the Class of 2026 were selected as Fulbright grant alternates, says Melissa Mandos, fellowships & prizes advisor.

Administered by the U.S. Department of State, Fulbright grants are bestowed “to encourage collaboration between citizens of the U.S. and those of other countries to develop ideas and address international concerns.” With its vast academic focus, including the social sciences, humanities, arts, and natural sciences, the Fulbright Program emphasizes cultural exchange and promotes mutual understanding.

The awards will allow the Swarthmore graduates to embed themselves in communities abroad while sharing their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives.