Newport News resident and recent University of Richmond graduate awarded Fulbright to teach English in Germany

June 7, 2018

Recent University of Richmond graduate Jessica Weaver, of Newport News, Virginia, has been awarded a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant grant, which she will complete in Germany.

Weaver is a 2017 UR graduate who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in German studies and English.

“It is important to me to apply my language skills in a way that allows me to help people,” Weaver said. “I have been learning German since middle school, and it’s opened up so many opportunities for me. I’m excited to have the opportunity to share the benefits of learning English with others.”

During her time at UR, Weaver studied abroad in Münster, Germany.

Eight recent Richmond graduates were awarded Fulbright grants, the most in the institution’s history. Previously, the top number of Fulbright recipients was six in 2009. To date, the University of Richmond has had 56 student Fulbright grant recipients.

Nearly 10,000 students from about 700 institutions applied for one of more than 1,900 grants to study, conduct research and teach abroad for the 2018-19 academic year through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected on the basis of academic and professional achievement, as well as record of service and leadership potential in their respective fields. 

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The Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Program places recent college graduates and young professionals as English teaching assistants in primary schools, secondary schools or universities overseas - improving foreign students’ English language abilities and knowledge of the United States, while increasing the U.S. student's own language skills and knowledge of the host country, according to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.