Kim Karnatz, ’11
Kim Karnatz, ’11, earned her bachelor’s degree in middle level teacher education. She began her teaching experience in India in July of 2011 with an intensive Hindi language study. An English teaching assistant, she would like to research the use of yoga in school classrooms and its effect on students’ self-control issues, as well as their physical and mental well-being. As a Golden Apple Scholar, Karnatz has experienced numerous teaching opportunities, including with the Chicago Public Schools. She previously taught English and yoga to middle school students in Tanzania. She wrote in her blog on July 31, 2011: “The last days at Landour Language School flew by quickly, as we were rapidly cramming for our Hindi test. I feel like I did alright, with only 14 days of ever using Hindi under my belt. It was a little sad saying goodbye to all the teachers and staff at Ivy Bank, but I got over it pretty quickly because we were next headed for three days in the Taj Mahal Hotel, which meant hot showers, delicious breakfasts, beds that feel like soft clouds of love, and working toilets.”
Jessica Wozniak, ’11
Jessica Wozniak, ’11, earned her degree in English publishing. She is in Montenegro for an English teaching assistantship that began in September of 2011. She would like to work there with a chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the international English Honor Society, to encourage language exchange and networking opportunities for her students. She was copresident of the Illinois State chapter, as well as a Bone Scholar. She participated in a study abroad to Canterbury and Alternative Winter Break experiences to the Dominican Republic and Guatemala. Jessica has been receiving helpful information from her Fulbright contacts and said, “I am extremely excited to spend a year in Montenegro, not only to teach English but also to form relationships with the Montenegrins and learn more about their culture. My contacts in Montenegro have been amazingly helpful and accommodating. They’ve answered my long list of questions and put me at ease about the upcoming year. I think it will be a truly incredible experience!”
Bill Gugerty, ’06, M.P.A. ’07
Bill Gugerty, ’06, M.P.A. ’07, earned his CPA and worked in the accounting field for two years before moving to Vitality in Action. He is serving on the nonprofit’s board of directors as treasurer. Gugerty will now spend an academic year in Moldova, where he will perform a case study and comparative research of Moldovan microfinance institutions. He completed a master’s program in international relations in June of 2011 at Central European University at Budapest, Hungary. While at Illinois State, Gugerty completed a study abroad to Germany and a Spanish language study in Spain. He is looking forward to meeting the people at the Center for International Cooperation at the Free International University of Moldova and beginning his research.
If you would like more information about the Fulbright Program and how to apply in future competitions, contact Becky Mentzer at rementz@IllinoisState.edu. The Fulbright Program was established in 1946 under legislation introduced by the former Senator J. William Fulbright in an effort to promote mutual understanding and cultural exchanges. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The Fulbright Program awards approximately 7,500 new grants each year and currently operates in more than 155 countries.
