In this past fall’s edition of The Chronicle of Higher Education, The Ohio State University ranked among the top 20 research institutions producing the most 2007-08 U.S. Fulbright Fellows. But what is the Fulbright Program and what do Fulbright Fellows do? The best way to answer these questions is through real stories. ¿Qué Pasa, OSU? talked to four Latin@ students who are Fulbright recipients.

Created over 50 years ago to increase cultural understanding between the United States and other countries through the exchange of persons, knowledge, and skills, the Fulbright program provides funds for students, scholars, and professionals to undertake graduate study, advanced research, university teaching, and teaching in elementary and secondary schools in a foreign country. Not only has the program sent over 100,000 Americans overseas, but it has also allowed more than 150,000 citizens of other countries to study in the United States. Among these scholars are Nobel Prize winners, presidents, and CEOs. The following are four Ohio State Latin@ Fulbrighters.

Diana Ruggiero (Argentinean-U.S.)
Ph.D Student in Spanish and Portuguese - “The afro-choteños and their customs”

Diana is one of the 100,000 U.S. Fulbright recipients who have traveled overseas to study and do research. Diana’s interest is in the struggles of afro-Ecuadorians, which came to light during the World Cup. Although most of the Ecuadorian national soccer team members are of African descent, Blacks only make up 8 percent of the country’s total population.

“It has been a challenge,” Diana said. “Going to another country to study is difficult and trying to understand another culture, especially one that deals with the African Diaspora requires a lot of effort.” According to Diana, research on this topic was mainly done in the coastal area of Ecuador whereas the area called Valle del Chota (Chota’s Valley) had not been fully explored. This valley is nestled in the middle of the Andes Mountains, making it an unlikely place for African settlements. Diana spends her time conducting work for a documentary focused on music called “Beyond soccer: the afro-choteños and their customs.”

“I am lucky to have attained a Fulbright scholarship to complete my research and documentary, which will become part of my doctorate thesis,” Diana said. “I love being able to interview the women who work hard for their families with children who dream of becoming soccer players, and their grandparents who have stories to tell that are not recorded in traditional written form.”

María Fernanda Pólit (Ecuadorian)
Master’s Student in Food Science and Technology – “Characterization of food pigments”

Fernanda and her husband arrived at Ohio State last August. For Fernanda studying and doing research at Ohio State has been a dream-like experience. “I cannot believe I am working with equipment that I had only seen in catalogues, doing what I have always wanted to do, and the Fulbright scholarship is taking care of expenses,” she said.

Fernanda’s research focuses on characterization of food pigments with possible functional properties that would improve people’s health and could prevent chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes. She believes Ohio State is providing her with the knowledge and experience needed for the development of healthier products and the promotion of healthier lifestyles in Ecuador.

For Fernanda, the Fulbright scholarship and support from the Institute of International Education (IIE) have made it possible to progress in her research. “I had the opportunity to listen to past grantees about their experiences, to meet people from all over the world, and to make friends that helped me during the adaptation process,” she said. “This year, I will have the opportunity to travel to other cities and get together with other Fulbrighters to discuss different issues that concern the whole world.”

ecilia Shiroma (Peruvian)
Master’s student in Food Science and Technology – “Analytical technique to accelerate the characterization process of potatoes”

Ohio State’s multicultural diversity is what impressed Cecilia the most when she arrived in June 2006. Under the supervision of Dr. Luis Rodriguez-Saona, associate professor in the Food Science Department, Cecilia is completing her master’s research on the development of an analytical technique for quantification of total phenolics, anthocyanins, antioxidant capacity and glycoalkaloids in potatoes by using infrared spectroscopy and multivariate analysis. This new technique will accelerate the characterization process of the more than 5,000 new varieties of potatoes produced each year through genetic manipulation. Her research receives the collaboration of the International Potato Center based in Peru.

A graduate from the Universidad Agraria La Molina, Cecilia is thankful for the opportunity to attend a university that provides a great academic environment coupled with excellent faculty and countless sources of information. For her, the Fulbright program made all of this possible. “Fulbright provided me with guidance on everything I needed in order to make this important decision, from university applications and visa paperwork to preparation for the cultural shock and access to a huge network of Fulbrighters,” she said.

Claudio Rocha (Brazilian)
Ph.D student, School of Physical Activity and Educational Services

A former volleyball coach in his native Brazil, Claudio is trying to make use of both his areas of expertise, sports and business administration, to successfully obtain his doctorate degree in 2010. Claudio came to Ohio State with a CAPES/Fulbright scholarship which is funded by both the Fulbright program and the Brazilian Department of Education.

Supported by Sports and Exercise Management professor, Packianathan Chelladurai, Claudio is currently working on an article related to perceived organizational support, perceived justice, and coaches’ performance. The next step for Claudio is to prepare a research proposal to investigate conflict management inside sport settings.

Claudio arrived to Columbus with his wife and only son in 2006 and have now added an additional member to the family after the birth of a baby girl. Claudio’s experience with the Fulbright program has been positive. “The Fulbright program has taken care of me and my family,” he said. “It offered us help with visa and information on immigration regulations and even offers me an annual enrichment seminar among other great opportunities.”

For more information on the U.S. Fulbright program and for a list of country-specific programs, please visit
http://www.fulbrightonline.org