CMC seniors Julie Jacoby and Sandy Uyekubo are newly named recipients of 2002 Fulbright Fellowships. Both plan to continue research on the topics explored in their senior theses, Jacoby in Austria and Uyekubo in Japan.
"I am eager to continue my studies in Austrian and German history and to perfect my German language skills in preparation for graduate school," says Jacoby, who will spend nine months in Vienna, teaching English at an Austrian high school and studying at the University of Vienna. She will continue her research on war crimes tribunals, and to pursue a side interest, travel to Geneva to study the papers of Elizabeth, Empress of Austria. Jacoby will pursue a Ph.D. in European history at Cornell University beginning in the fall of 2003.
"Julie is graced with remarkable intelligence--she learns foreign languages faster than anyone I know--a breath-taking work ethic, and a disarmingly charming personality," says Jonathan Petropoulos, John Croul Professor of European History. "In the short term, as a Fulbright scholar in Vienna, she'll be a great ambassador for the college and country; in the long-term, I expect her to emerge as an academic star."
Uyekubo will study contemporary Japanese attitudes toward work and family, an extension of her thesis, which focused on American attitudes toward the same issues. She will take language courses and conduct independent research at a Japanese university, the specific location to be determined later this summer.
"I'm looking forward to applying my research experience at CMC in Japan next year," says Uyekubo. When asked what she expects to learn about Japanese attitudes towards work and family, she said, "Work and family in Japan is very similar and at the same time very different than in the U.S. It's hard to predict what I'll find."
"Sandy is a perfect Fulbright Fellow--she is smart, hard working, and perhaps most importantly for this award, she is self-motivated. Sandy has worked hard to become fluent in Japanese, and thus is very well qualified for this academic honor," says Diane Halpern, professor of psychology and director of the Berger Institute for Work, Family, and Children. "Attitudes toward family-friendly work policies is an important topic in Japan because more Japanese mothers are entering and staying in the workforce."
The Fulbright Program was established by Congress in 1946 to increase understanding among nations through educational and cultural exchange. Each year, 900 grants are awarded for projects in over 140 countries worldwide.