Alana Metcalf ’22 Earns Fulbright to Taiwan

“I’m especially excited about the opportunity to strengthen my Chinese language skills, with the long-term goal of eventually being able to conduct therapy in Chinese,” she says. “Ultimately, I see the Fulbright as a meaningful step toward becoming a more compassionate and globally minded mental health professional.”

Prior to earning the Fulbright, Metcalf spent two years working at a Yale School of Medicine research lab called play2PREVENT, which “focuses on using digital interventions to prevent opioid misuse and promote mental health education among adolescents,” she explains. “This experience deepened my interest in mental health and solidified my desire to work directly with individuals in a therapeutic setting, particularly young people.” 

In fact, Metcalf says she plans to earn a master’s degree in clinical social work or counseling, and possibly earn a PhD or PsyD in clinical psychology. “My long-term goal is to provide therapy at an outpatient mental health clinic where I can provide accessible, affordable therapy to individuals struggling with their mental health, especially those from underserved communities.”

How did Oberlin influence you to pursue the Fulbright?
Taking Chinese classes at Oberlin was the biggest influence on my decision to pursue a Fulbright. The supportive and engaging teaching style of my Chinese professors, combined with their encouragement to participate in cultural events like the Lunar New Year celebration, deepened my appreciation for the language and helped me build meaningful relationships with my classmates and the faculty. 

Weekly Chinese table meetings gave me the chance to challenge myself by using Mandarin in real-life settings and underscored the importance of cultural exchange. These experiences and the rigorous curriculum that is taught helped me see how language is deeply intertwined with history, identity, food, and everyday life. They ultimately solidified my desire not just to study Chinese in the classroom, but to fully engage with the culture, community, and people.

Pursuing a Fulbright feels like a natural extension of the intercultural values I developed at Oberlin. It represents a continuation of the language and cultural journey I began on campus—one rooted in mutual understanding, curiosity, and respect.

How does pursuing the Fulbright align with your career goals?
Pursuing a Fulbright will allow me to make a meaningful impact while immersing myself in a new culture and community. Although teaching abroad isn't directly tied to my future career as a therapist, it will equip me with essential, transferable skills—such as effective communication, cultural sensitivity, adaptability, and empathy—that are foundational to therapeutic work. 

Building cross-cultural relationships and navigating unfamiliar environments will also challenge me to broaden my perspective and deepen my understanding of how people experience the world. These insights will strengthen my ability to connect with diverse clients and approach mental health from a more inclusive, culturally informed lens. It will also give me experience working directly with people and being able to serve the community. 

What are you looking forward to the most with the Fulbright? 
I’m looking forward to getting to know the people of Yilan and immersing myself in Taiwanese culture. One aspect I’m particularly excited about is the food: Taiwan is known for its incredibly delicious and affordable cuisine. I can’t wait to try local specialties like Yilan’s spring onion pancakes (葱油饼) and the iconic Taiwanese beef noodle soup (牛肉麵). As someone who genuinely loves exploring cultures through food, I see this as a fun and meaningful way to connect with the community.

What’s the best advice you’ve received from your Oberlin faculty mentor?
My mentor was Professor of Psychology and Environmental Studies Cindy Frantz. She has been, and continues to be, an incredible source of guidance and support. 

One of the most meaningful pieces of advice she gave me was that it's okay to feel lost and not have everything figured out. She encouraged me to stay open-minded and explore opportunities—even those that don’t seem directly aligned with my professional goals—as each experience, no matter how small, can shape your path in unforeseen ways. Sometimes the path you never intended on taking is the one that might shape you the most. 

Cindy also reminded me that growth isn’t always linear, and that everyone moves through life at their own pace. That perspective has stayed with me and continues to ground me, especially during times of uncertainty.

I never initially saw a Fulbright as part of my career path, but now I believe it will be one of the most rewarding and transformative experiences of my life. 

If you’re a rising or graduating senior interested in Fulbright, connect with Fellowships & Awards to learn more about pursuing research or an arts project, obtaining a graduate degree, or teaching English in a foreign country of your choice following graduation.