College of Charleston Alumni Receive Fulbright US Opportunities

Two College of Charleston Alumni have been selected to participate in the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Eliana Abbriano ’25 and Gracie Pace ’23 were chosen out of a competitive pool of more than 10,500 applicants. Both are set to teach English in a Fulbright host country beginning this fall.

Established in 1946, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Fulbright awards are given to graduating college seniors, graduate students, and young professionals from all backgrounds. Through the financial award, program participants pursue graduate study, conduct research, or teach English abroad in over 160 countries and territories around the world.

Having earned bachelor’s degrees from the College in Spanish and foreign language education, Abbriano will serve as an English assistant for elementary school students in Spain. There she will plan lessons, introduce cultural differences and engage students in learning a second language.

“Looking ahead, the experience of teaching abroad will be life changing, broadening not only my perspective but also the way I respond to different learning needs and cultural contexts,” says Abbriano. “During my college years, I had the chance to teach a wide range of students within the same community. I can only imagine how impactful it will be to work with children from entirely different backgrounds, cultures and traditions. I believe this experience will not only shape me as an educator but also deepen my understanding of the world and the role I hope to play in it.”

Pace’s interest in migration between Colombia and Panama coupled with her passion for working with refugees and migrants helped drive her decision to apply for the Fulbright scholarship award. Since graduating from the College, she has worked at Lutheran Services Carolinas with the local refugee population. Last year, she obtained a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification and now is an English teacher. Both experiences will help her at her Fulbright teaching assignment in Colombia.

Pace experienced a gamut of emotions from anxiety to shock during the Fulbright application process and announcement. Initially doubting her credentials and background, she now has a newfound sense of confidence. With this, she encourages other alumni to consider applying to the program.

“You miss all of the shots you do not take in life,” says Pace who earned a bachelor’s degree in international studies. “Prioritize yourself and your dreams. Make sure you give yourself all the opportunity to achieve them.”

Two other College of Charleston alumni were named Fulbright U.S. Student Program alternates. Abby Shafer ’26 (English teaching assistant, Spain) and Kelly Leyva ’25 (English Teaching Assistant, Mexico) may be promoted from alternate to finalist status if additional funding becomes available. (Update: Leyva was upgraded to a Fulbright recipient in July).

“I’m thrilled that Gracie and Eliana were selected for Fulbright,” says Sidney Woram, associate director of the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards, which helps students and alumni find and apply for awards that support their studies, research projects, learning new languages and studying abroad. “Eliana and Gracie bring strong pedagogical skills to their work with Fulbright, as well as genuine interest in their host countries. They’ll both be excellent representatives of the US and of CofC during their Fulbright year.”

Earlier this year, the College of Charleston was named a Top Producing Institution for Fulbright U.S. Students for the 2025-26 academic year.

“This recognition shines a spotlight on our academic excellence and global engagement,” says President Andrew T. Hsu regarding the designation. “Fulbright students elevate the scholarly profile of the College of Charleston, and the impact of their work abroad extends well beyond their individual experiences, strengthening our institution’s academic distinction and reinforcing our reputation as a top university.”

Applications for the 2027–28 Fulbright competition are now open, and the application deadline is Oct. 6, 2026, at 5 p.m. For more information about applying to Fulbright through the College of Charleston, email the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards at [email protected]. For more information about the Fulbright Program, visit https://fulbrightprogram.org/.