For Lizeth Garcia, a 2009 Kentlake High School graduate, becoming a Fulbright award recipient is an accomplishment she only dreamed possible.
Through the Fulbright program Garcia will spend a year in Brazil beginning in February.
“I will be an English teaching assistant at a local university helping students that are planning to become English teachers,” she said.
Garcia, 24, is a first-generation Mexican-American and the first in her family to complete high school on time and graduate from college. She graduated from the University of Washington Tacoma’s politics, policy and economics program in the School of Interdisciplinary Arts and Science in 2013, after receiving an associate’s degree from Green River College.
“Both of my parents didn’t make it far with education,” Garcia said, adding that her mother finished third grade and her father completed sixth.
“It is crazy someone with my background would have this opportunity,” Garcia said of the Fulbright program. “I never thought I would reach this point. “
The Fulbright Program for U.S. students is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and awards about 1,900 grants annually. Garcia is the first UW Tacoma student to be named a Fulbright scholar.
“My mom thought that was very, very cool,” Garcia said. “It is just the feeling of accomplishment that I broke through that barrier. With this new mentality, I feel like I can do anything I set my mind to.”
Since graduating from UW Tacoma, Garcia has worked as a legislative aide for King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer. While in college, she interned for Sen. Joe Fain, R-Auburn. Garcia also volunteers for several organizations, including Para Los Niños, Boys & Girls Clubs of King County and the Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle.
Garcia applied to the Fulbright program to go to Mexico. After a lengthy application process, including submitting written statements and letters of reference, a language evaluation and interviews, she was accepted as an alternate for the Mexico program. In July, she was given the opportunity to go to Brazil instead, which she happily accepted.
Garcia said she is looking forward to exploring Brazil, learning more about the culture and making new friends. A fluent Spanish speaker, Garcia said she plans to spend the next few months immersing herself in Portuguese.
Garcia said she hopes to volunteer with a non-governmental organization (NGO) while in Brazil. She plans to pursue a master’s degree when she returns to the U.S. and hopes to work for a nonprofit or NGO.
“I have always had a passion for helping people,” she said. “I just wasn’t sure what I wanted to do.”
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