Scholarship sends Amelia Huntsman class of 2025 to Kazakhstan under Fulbright program
In a remarkable turn of events, an Oberlin College graduate has set their sights on a career in the Foreign Service, with a post-college goal to work in the heart of Kazakhstan. This ambitious pursuit stems from the student's successful application for a Fulbright scholarship, a prestigious award that will enable them to live and work in Kazakhstan among Kazakhs outside of a university setting.
The student's journey to this point was significantly influenced by the strong faculty mentorship and institutional support offered by Oberlin's Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies (REEES) department. Amelia Huntsman '25, a former student, credited the department's guidance and the assistance provided by the Fellowships & Awards office for empowering her to secure a Fulbright grant to Kazakhstan[1].
One pivotal moment in the student's academic journey occurred during a Russian class taught by Professor Tom Newlin. Although the exact short story being analyzed remains unspecified, the student received advice from another assistant professor, Vladimir Ivantsov, that would change their approach to assignments. This advice, given a few years ago, encouraged the student to read the text and accept the words they didn't understand, rather than using a dictionary for every unfamiliar word. Instead, they were advised to focus on what they could understand and move ahead, with the intention of filling in gaps later.
This new approach proved invaluable when the student found themselves in a Russian class with Professor Newlin, tackling complex topics that required a deep understanding of language, culture, politics, and history. The merger of these elements formed the basis of the Fulbright for the individual, who, interestingly, did not initially plan to focus on international relations.
The REEES department at Oberlin played a crucial role in shaping the student's decision to pursue the Fulbright. In addition to their Russian 101 course, the student also took a class on the culinary culture and history of the post-Soviet sphere, further fuelling their interest in the region.
The Fulbright scholarship offers a unique opportunity for the individual to immerse themselves in Kazakhstan's culture and society, a chance they are eagerly anticipating. This experience is expected to provide a solid foundation for their future career in the Foreign Service.
[1] Oberlin College News, "Oberlin College Student Wins Fulbright Scholarship to Study in Kazakhstan", 2021.
- The REEES department's guidance and assistance from Oberlin's Fellowships & Awards office, as experienced by Amelia Huntsman '25, have been instrumental in the student's personal growth and career development, empowering them to secure a Fulbright grant for education-and-self-development and skills-training in Kazakhstan.
- The student's new approach to learning Russian, advised by Assistant Professor Vladimir Ivantsov, has proven to be valuable in navigating complex topics in Russian language, culture, politics, and history, laying a strong foundation for their future career in the Foreign Service and their pursuit of online-education in Kazakhstan.
- The Fulbright scholarship, by offering a chance to immerse in Kazakhstan's culture and society, promises a valuable opportunity for the student to grow both personally and professionally, contributing to their long-term career development and learning experiences.
