Julie Vasquez, who graduated from UC Riverside in 2024, has been awarded a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to teach English in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is the U.S. government's flagship international educational exchange program. Operating in partnership with more than 140 countries, the program offers graduating seniors, graduate students, and young professionals opportunities to study, conduct research, or teach abroad.

Selection is rigorous, involving a two-round process requiring approval from both the U.S. government and the host nation. Recipients are chosen based on academic and professional achievement, as well as a demonstrated record of service and leadership.

Vasquez, who majored in Global Studies, has been selected for the English Teaching Assistant (ETA) program. She is now instructing first- and second-year university students in Bosnia while acting as a cultural ambassador to promote American and international travel programs. A project she looks forward to is encouraging more people from the U.S. to visit Bosnia. 

“It’s nice to be somewhere different,” Vasquez said of her post, noting that her new campus reminds her of UCR.

Vasquez’s passion for international relations was sparked during a year abroad in Japan in 2018. But her journey at UCR began with hurdles with her first two years spent online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the remote start, Vasquez remained connected to the campus community and committed to her goal of facilitating cultural exchange.

Following the completion of her Fulbright, Vasquez plans to relocate to Japan to continue her calling of teaching English and pursue her love of travel.

She credits her success to the support of her family and Sonja Lind, assistant director of UCR’s Education Abroad program.