When Senator J. William Fulbright initiated the Fulbright Scholar Program 50 years ago, it was designed to "increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries."
The foreign exchange program for graduate students all over the world allows students to teach, attend classes and research projects in other countries.
This year the University, with 23 winners, had the third-highest number of students in the country to garner Fulbright awards.
Only one student has travelled to study at the University so far this year, with several more to arrive in January. Graduate student Krista Kallis, from Estonia, is working in the English Language Institute.
Before coming to America, Kallis attended the University of Tartu in Tartu, Estonia. She said she hoped to experience "opportunities to learn English and to study in an environment that has resources such as libraries."
She said being a Fulbright Scholar is a "great experience." Kallis also said the United States is "so big and full of opportunities." She is researching in the English Academic Program. In the future, Kallis said she wants to attend classes here at the University.
Meghan Hays, a doctoral history student, traveled to Zagreb, Croatia last year. Her research was put on hold when the city was shelled by cluster bombs.
"Being in Croatia was a dramatic experience, but was great in every other aspect," Hays said.
Hays also said being a Fulbright Scholar was, "terrific because it allowed me to go to Croatia. Despite all of the complications it was positive overall."
Pat McCune, grants officer of the International Institute, is responsible for assisting University students in obtaining funding for international studies, said the Fulbright program is intended to foster cultural exchange.
"It is an opportunity for everyone who hasn't had the opportunity to study in a foreign country," McCune said.
The program is intended for graduating seniors and graduate students in all areas of studies with a high academic standing and leadership capabilities, according to McCune.
McCune said she encourages students to apply to study abroad because it influenced to her own career choices.
The Fulbright program is funded by the government, for students who exhibit an excellent academic merit.
Since the program's inception in 1946, 200,000 students have become Fulbright scholars. Seventy thousand have been U.S. citizens in foreign countries and 130,000 were foreigners in colleges and universities in the United States.
Last year alone, American students from 500 universities in the country participated in the program, traveling to 150 different countries.
Many Fulbright Scholars are graduate students, but professionals such as, doctors, lawyers and judges have gotten involved also.
Some notable Fulbright Scholars are writers Chinua Achebe and Maya Angelou, and government officials, such as Boutros-Boutros Ghali and Daniel Patrick Moynihan.