Eleven UCF alumni have received Fulbright scholarships — marking the second highest number of recipients in university history. UCF has been acknowledged by The Chronicle of Higher Education as a Fulbright Top Producer twice in the past four years. UCF is also a Fulbright leader among Hispanic-Serving Institutions for the fourth consecutive year. The Fulbright application for 2025-26 is currently open. The UCF deadline is Sept. 12. The Fulbright Program promotes cross-cultural dialogue and global exchange through opportunities to conduct research, pursue graduate study or teach English in over 140 different countries worldwide. Students have the chance to fully immerse themselves in new environments and cultures through direct interactions and ongoing experiences within the community. Here are some accounts of the Knights, including three Burnett Honors Scholars, who have secured a place in the U.S. government’s most prestigious academic exchange program.
Christina Bertrand ’23
UCF Major: Psychology
Fulbright Location: Brazil
Fulbright Role: English teaching assistant
Career Aspirations: Advanced education in cultural psychology
Advice to future Fulbright applicants: Do not hesitate to seek help and support. Make sure to utilize resources at UCF, such as the Office of Prestigious Awards, as well as outside the university. Don’t delay! Be sure to start your application early, as you will need time to revise it.
Olivia Bitcon ’24
UCF Major: Physics (astronomy), Burnett Honors Scholar
Fulbright Location: Germany
Fulbright Role: Open study/research award
Career Goals: Post-doctoral or faculty position at a research university
Advice to future Fulbright applicants: Start early! When applying for something so competitive, it’s easy to think you might be wasting your efforts, which only amplifies when classes start and you have competing priorities.
Irene Corona ’23
UCF Major: Health services administration
Fulbright Location: Mexico
Fulbright Role: English teaching assistant
Career Goals: Diagnostic medical sonography
Advice to future Fulbright applicants: Don’t be intimidated by the prestige of the Fulbright award; believe in yourself and make use of the resources available to you. Be patient during the Fulbright application process as it takes time.
Taylor Haycock ’24
UCF Major: Political science, Burnett Honors Scholar
Fulbright Location: Germany
Fulbright Role: English teaching assistant
Career Goals: Foreign service officer
Advice to future Fulbright applicants: The Fulbright application requires a good amount of self-reflection. Be patient with yourself and give yourself plenty of time to get through the writer’s block that many Fulbright applicants experience in drafting their essays. Your hard work on the application could pay off and grant you a Fulbright experience. Never forget that!
Channah Lohman ’23
UCF Major: Anthropology
Fulbright Location: South Korea
Fulbright Role: English teaching assistant
Career Goals: English instructor/art exhibitionist
Advice to future Fulbright applicants: Give yourself plenty of time to work on your application and essays. When you write your Fulbright essay, make sure it doesn’t sound like a resume or every other Fulbright essay about topics like cultural immersion or a love for the world. Use personal experiences and developmental writing strategies to build a profile of yourself.
Cristina Maldonado ’24
UCF Major: Early childhood development and education
Fulbright Location: South Korea
Fulbright Role: English teaching assistant
Career Goal: ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) director
Advice to future Fulbright applicants: Be genuine in your interest and story of why you are applying to the Fulbright program.