Ann Arbor Times

Eastern Michigan University students Nicholas Mullaney and Aspenn Armstrong have been named finalists for the Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship (FETA) for the 2025-26 academic year. Mullaney will join the cohort in Germany, while Armstrong will be part of the Thailand group.

The Fulbright Program was established after World War II to promote diplomacy through educational and cultural exchange. The FETA program places participants in classrooms worldwide to assist teachers in providing English language education from kindergarten to college level. Participants engage with local communities, fostering cultural understanding and international dialogue.

Carla Damiano, professor of German at EMU and Fulbright program advisor, highlighted the transformative impact of the program: “The Fulbright experience changes and redirects lives.” She emphasized that participants gain a new perspective on themselves and their home country by immersing themselves in another culture.

Mullaney expressed his aspirations: “Not only do I hope to contribute to the education of the next generation of German students, but also to help build a cultural bridge between the United States and German culture.” Armstrong aims to create a supportive learning environment: “My goal is to set a positive example and help students feel motivated and supported in their learning.”

Fulbright alumni often secure jobs or are accepted into graduate programs with assistantship support upon returning. For more information about the Fulbright Program, interested individuals can visit its website.

Eastern Michigan University, founded in 1849, serves nearly 13,000 students across various disciplines. The university is recognized for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education.