Pittsburgh native and recent University of Richmond graduate awarded Fulbright research grant to study in Switzerland

Recent University of Richmond graduate Jackie Sirc, of Pittsburgh, has been awarded a Fulbright research grant to study at the University of Geneva's Institute for Citizenship Studies. She will spend a year there beginning in September.

“My research will investigate the cultural and legal integration of Swiss Muslims in French-speaking areas of Switzerland,” Sirc said. “More specifically, I will determine the role of outreach programs in supporting positive relationships between groups, which is a topic of growing importance not only in Switzerland, but also all over the world.”

Sirc graduated from UR in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, double majoring in French and international studies with a focus on world politics and diplomacy.

Sirc is fluent in French, which she learned through studying abroad in France and Switzerland. She also spent time in Edinburgh, Scotland, and Bali, Indonesia, through UR’s study abroad programs.

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 Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government, designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries.