Jessica Ryan graduated from Cal State Fullerton in spring 2024 with a Master of Science in higher education. Now, she’s embarking on a new chapter.
With a passion for cultural exchange and education, Ryan is preparing to travel to Romania as an English teaching assistant through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. In a recent interview, Ryan shared the story of this accomplishment.
How did you discover the Fulbright award opportunity, and why did you decide to apply?
As an undergraduate student at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, I volunteered for the international nonprofit organization Learning Enterprises. Each summer, LE volunteers travel to various countries to teach English in diverse educational settings. In 2019, I was selected for LE’s program in Romania, and it was the single most transformative experience of my life.
In the fall, after returning from the trip, my program director in Romania encouraged me to consider applying for the highly competitive Fulbright grant. However, I initially felt intimidated by Fulbright’s prestige and thought I wouldn’t stand a chance. I did not consider it again until 2023.
After visiting Romania, I knew I wanted to return. I wanted to experience more of the culture, more time with my new friends, more opportunities to explore the country and more of its rich history. I was set to return in 2020 for another summer with LE, but that plan was thwarted by the COVID-19 pandemic. I tried to return in summer 2021 and 2022, but the pandemic and geopolitical events prevented me from going. When I began a two-year graduate program here at Cal State Fullerton, I wasn’t sure I would be able to return to Romania. Though I was discontented with the idea of visiting as a tourist for only a few weeks, I knew it was not possible nor feasible to return for an entire summer when I was a full-time student with a full-time job. The thought of returning to Romania was what kept me looking ahead throughout the pandemic. My dream to return never truly left, and its unrelenting power ultimately led me to pursue the Fulbright award years later.
In summer 2023, I finally decided to apply to Fulbright because I found it to be the most incredible way to pursue my dream. It offered the chance to become an ambassador of international exchange, a year of grant funding, noncompetitive eligibility upon my return, and above all else, a year in Romania. I chose to apply for the English teaching assistantship because it allows me to blend my educational journey with my passion for teaching and cultural exchange in the most impactful way.
What drew you to the country of Romania?
Romania and Eastern Europe as a whole, is a magical place, vastly different from Southern California, where I have lived my whole life. The preservation of history is evident everywhere, most visibly in the diverse architectural styles — medieval, baroque, Brâncovenesc, constructivist and contemporary, to name a few. Castles, villages, Szekeler gates, ornate churches, horse-drawn carriages and the serpentine Transfagarasan Road through the Carpathian Mountains were sights unlike any I was familiar with. I had never felt so far away from home and the American way of life.
The relationships I established in Romania were the highlight of my experience. My host families welcomed me as one of their own, fully embracing me in their lives. I eagerly participated in their culture and way of life, which deepened my understanding of and love for the country. This immersion had a profound impact on me, pulling my life in a direction I never dreamed of. Since I left, something about Romania has been calling me back, and I am thrilled to finally answer that calling.
For me, this opportunity is much more than a chance to be a Fulbright scholar and teach English abroad. It allows me to fulfill my dream, and that means the world to me.
What do you hope to achieve through this experience?
I hope to find fulfillment through my Fulbright experience. This is a unique opportunity to live and work in a different cultural context. I seek opportunities that push me outside of my comfort zone, fostering personal growth and a deeper understanding of the world. Professionally, I want to leverage my experience and academic background to enhance the educational journeys of the students I teach.
I also aim to immerse myself more fully in Romania’s diverse cultures, from its rich traditions and folklore to its contemporary arts and daily life. By engaging with these cultural aspects, I hope to build meaningful connections and gain a deeper appreciation for Romania’s unique heritage.
What are your plans after completing the Fulbright program?
I don’t yet know what I will do after my Fulbright experience. Perhaps, I will find an opportunity to stay in Romania longer, continuing to immerse myself in its culture and contribute to its educational system. I may leverage the noncompetitive eligibility status earned through Fulbright to pursue a career within the federal government, where I can use my international experience and passion for cultural exchange.
I am also drawn to the idea of returning to Cal State Fullerton or Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Both institutions were instrumental in shaping who I am, providing me with opportunities and education that I want to give back to future generations of students. In the future, I plan to pursue a doctorate to further advance my career, deepen my expertise and expand my impact in the field of higher education.
The uncertainty of what comes next excites me. It motivates me to seek opportunities and experiences that will help guide my life’s direction. Every step of my journey, especially what I gained as a student and employee of Cal State Fullerton, has done that for me. My life and career now bear little resemblance to what I envisioned it would be, even a year ago. As I have learned, there is no singular path my life is meant to follow.
Visit the Study Abroad and Global Engagement website to learn more about international opportunities for CSUF students.