Chesapeake native and recent University of Richmond graduate awarded Fulbright to teach English in Panama

May 29, 2018

Gabrielle Robinson, of Chesapeake, Virginia, who graduated from the University of Richmond May 13, has received a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship.

Robinson, who majored in Latin American, Latino and Iberian Studies and minored in elementary education, will complete her year-long Fulbright award in Panama beginning in early 2019. She is fluent in Spanish.

“I have a heart for students, for education and for serving families in their communities, and I believe that the Fulbright combines all three,” said Robinson.

Robinson interned in Granada, Nicaragua, and studied abroad in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, during her time at UR. Before leaving for Panama, she will work with the Youth Life Foundation of Richmond

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.