Hayden Hill ’24 Earns Fulbright to Bulgaria

Since graduating from Oberlin, the Los Angeles native has taught kindergarten and first grade, worked as a legal assistant at a special education law firm, coached high school track and field, and applied to law school.

“While I am still ironing out the details, I am certain that I want to attend law school after my Fulbright grant year,” she says. “I believe that my Fulbright experience, as well as the skills that I learn, such as adaptability and working with diverse populations, will make me a stronger, more globally aware law student.”

Where specifically will you be doing with your Fulbright—and what are you looking forward to the most? 

I will be an English teaching assistant to high school students in Dobrich, Bulgaria. The high school I am placed at is a high school for the arts, so I am looking forward to meeting the students and getting to see all of their talents. Outside of my job, I am planning on exploring Bulgaria. I have already gotten travel recommendations for towns and places from current Fulbright ETAs!

How did Oberlin shape or influence you to pursue the Fulbright?

I was inspired by a couple of my Oberlin friends and classmates who had been applying and were selected for the Fulbright during my senior year. Seeing those Obies go through the application process and reporting about their positive experiences helped me overcome my fear of applying. I ultimately decide to go for it.

What’s the best advice you’ve received from your Oberlin faculty mentor (or mentors!)? 

During one of my advising meetings, Professor of History Annemarie Sammartino talked about how being in college and your early 20s is the perfect time to travel and live abroad. While she couldn't convince me to take a semester abroad while I was at Oberlin, she planted the idea in my head that I should seek out and apply for opportunities that would allow me to live abroad.

In addition, Danielle Abdon, who is in the Fellowships office, has given incredibly helpful advice about the Fulbright application process. Her best piece of advice was to make several rounds of edits for the written portions of the application.

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.