Emma Himes, Lincoln native, Omaha resident, and rising junior at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, has received a place on a Fulbright Summer Institute to study at The University of Bristol on one of the most prestigious and selective summer scholarship programs operating world-wide.
The US-UK Fulbright Commission is the only bi-lateral, transatlantic scholarship program, offering awards and summer programs for study or research in any field, at any accredited US or UK university. The Commission is part of the Fulbright program conceived by Senator J William Fulbright in the aftermath of World War II to promote leadership, learning and empathy between nations through educational exchange. Award recipients and summer program participants will be the future leaders for tomorrow and support the ‘special relationship’ between the US and UK.
As a participant, Emma Himes has been selected from a strong applicant pool to experience the UK on a four week summer program. The institute is focused on Slavery and Atlantic Heritage, relating Bristol as a port city to the triangle slave trade between the UK, Western Africa, and United States plantations. The program will be provide perspectives from all three continents from lectures, hands on experiences with artifacts, and visiting historic locations.
Commenting on receiving the place, Emma Himes said: “After studying United States reform literature regarding slavery, specifically, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, as an English major at UNL, I have become increasingly interested in the effects of slavery within the U.S. and its continued influence into the identity of the United States race relations. This winter, I worked as an ambassador for the U.S. Department of State’s Study of U.S. Institutes (SUSI) program, which brought twenty students from countries of southern Africa to UNL. From these twenty leaders of Zimbabwe, South Africa, Angola, Mozambique, and Botswana, I learned many perspectives from my peers of colonized countries. This summer, I have the opportunity to expand the knowledge of I have learned from the SUSI participants and from American literature. I am very interested to learn the perspectives of the colonizer in Bristol this summer during the Fulbright Institute. I hope that this opportunity will lead to my study of U.S. history and literature within an English and Digital Humanities Masters Program following graduation from the University. For the present, I am excited to increase my global awareness before embarking on a semester of study in Buenos Aires, Argentina this coming fall.
Penny Egan CBE, Executive Director, US-UK Fulbright Commission said: “In the 70th year of the Special Relationship, we can celebrate American students seeking study abroad opportunities through our Summer Institute program. This is a unique opportunity to get a taste of British higher education while interacting with students from across the globe. As part of a diverse and high-achieving cohort, these students will gain immensely from the experience.”
The Commission selects participants through a rigorous application and interview process. In making these awards the Commission looks not only for academic excellence but a focused application, a range of extracurricular and community activities, demonstrated ambassadorial skills, a desire to further the Fulbright Program and a plan to give back to the recipient’s home country upon returning.
Fulbright Summer Institutes cover all participant costs. In addition, Fulbright summer participants receive a distinctive support and cultural education program including visa processing, a comprehensive pre-departure orientation, enrichment opportunities in country, a re-entry session and opportunity to join our alumni networks.
