J.E. Austin Associate’s project manager, Thalia Lorena Navia, was granted the Fulbright-Hays Fellowship to study Russian in American Councils Study Abroad’s Advanced Russian Language and Area Studies Program for the Summer of 2020.

While working for J.E. Austin Associates, Ms. Navia was able to complete the advanced intensive language program and all the requirements of the fellowship. JAA is proud to support her as she accomplishes this impressive milestone.

The Fulbright-Hays Fellowship comes from the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act, commonly referred to as the Fulbright-Hays Act, which was made law by the 87th U.S. Congress under President John F. Kennedy on September 21, 1961. Senator J. William Fulbright and Representative Wayne Hays introduced the legislation, which represents the basic charter for U.S. government-sponsored educational and cultural exchange.

This program provides grants to support overseas projects in training, research, and curriculum development in modern foreign languages and area studies for teachers, students, and faculty engaged in a common endeavor. Projects may include short-term seminars, curriculum development, group research or study, or advanced intensive language programs.

The Fellowship is granted through American Councils to advanced-level Russian language students who demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching this critical language in universities or k-12 schools, or to applying their language skills in government, international development, or other professional fields.