For the 11th time in 12 years, Swarthmore has been recognized as a top producer of U.S. Fulbright students, with two recent alumni receiving the honor through the College’s support.

“The Fulbright grant gives our alumni opportunities to fully immerse in a place and culture, while pursuing their academic and professional goals,” says Melissa Mandos, Swarthmore’s fellowships and prizes advisor, who guides the Fulbright application process along with faculty members of the Committee on Fellowships and Prizes.

“It is an experience they carry with them throughout their lives, as they build personal and professional relationships that continue even after they return to the U.S.”

Of the 31 students and alumni who applied, 17 became semifinalists. Three of the semifinalists were named as alternates, and two others, Emma Gabriel ’25 and Brandon Xu ’25, went on to receive grants through Swarthmore’s endorsement. Two additional students were offered a grant through Swarthmore’s endorsement but declined in order to attend graduate school.

“Swatties are curious, intellectually ambitious, and eager to expand their worldview,” says Mandos. “These are qualities that resonate with the Fulbright Program.”

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is designed to “increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries” and encourages collaboration in developing ideas and addressing international concerns. Fellowships are awarded to American students, young professionals, and artists through a national merit-based competition for study, research, or teaching English abroad.

Over 2,200 U.S. students and over 900 U.S. colleges and university faculty and administrators are awarded Fulbright grants annually. In addition, 4,000 Fulbright foreign students and visiting scholars come to the U.S. each year to study, lecture, conduct research, or teach their native language. Fulbright is active in more than 160 countries.

Since the Fulbright Program’s inception in 1946, over 400,000 talented individuals from all backgrounds have participated and returned home with an expanded worldview, a deeper appreciation for their host country and its people, and broader professional and personal networks.