Spengler's 11-month assignment – she leaves in January – will take her to a rural area where she will assist a Malaysian teacher of English in language instruction and help students explore U.S. culture. Outside of her time in the classroom, she intends to work with students to create a video on the benefits of education.
She majored in telecommunications at Ball State and minored in classical cultures. After completing her year in Malaysia, Spengler intends to pursue a graduate degree in TESOL (teaching English to speakers of other languages) and then teach in UNICEF's Schools for Asia program.
“The Fulbright means that I get to fulfill my passion of teaching youth English, and it allows me to be immersed completely in another culture, said Spengler, daughter of Lucy Grondin.”
Spengler was selected on the basis of academic and professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential. More than 1,900 student grants were awarded this year to recent graduates and graduate students.