Fashion and Fulbright
Apparel studies instructor Roelse receives Fulbright Award to teach in Spain
10:35 a.m., March 25, 2015--Katya Roelse, an instructor in the University of Delaware’s Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies, is one of UD’s newest Fulbright recipients, earning a grant to teach as part of the Universidad de San Pablo CEU’s fashion and beauty communication master’s degree program in Madrid, Spain.
She will join a community of 150-plus UD faculty, students and alumni who have received awards from the esteemed Fulbright Program.
Global Stories
Fulbright awards
Peace Corps plans
Roelse initially learned about the opportunity in an email from a colleague. At first hesitant to apply, she eventually came around. “When I read through the details and started to write down my ideas and draw inspiration from my lectures, I saw a dialogue emerge that was exciting to me,” she said.
While in Madrid, Roelse will serve as both resident expert and eager student. She will deliver content on topics ranging from sustainability and innovation, to self-branding, trend forecasting and social media.
Beyond lecturing to students, faculty and alumni, Roelse will also learn. “I am really looking forward to seeing how a foreign academic program approaches fashion,” she said. “We’re so used to hearing about the London and Paris schools but there’s so much more fashion out there, and Spain is uniquely positioned.”
Roelse, who led a winter 2015 fashion study abroad program in Paris, sees international education as a means of sparking one’s imagination. Sharing her excitement to “really reach far to find sources of authentic inspiration,” Roelse admitted that “although sometimes you can find these resources nearby, it’s much more fun to see what happens when different worlds collide.”
About the Fulbright Program
Each year the Fulbright Program provides 8,000 grants for research or teaching in one of over 140 countries throughout the world. Introduced by U.S. Sen. J. William Fulbright in 1946, the program seeks to foster international partnership and cultural exchange by funding research and teaching opportunities worldwide.
Faculty interested in applying for a Fulbright Award should visit the UD Fulbright website for more information.
Also, all members of the University community are invited to attend the inaugural UD Fulbright Lecture Series that launches on Tuesday, April 7, with alumnus Kimberly Stevenson speaking about “Fulbright Before Med School: the Best Decision I ever Made.” RSVP for one or all lectures online.
The Fulbright Program also offers opportunities for students to conduct advanced research or teach English in a single country throughout the world. More information can be found on the UD Fulbright website and Fulbright Student Program information sessions will be held on Tuesdays, April 14 and 21, at 3:30 p.m. in the Career Services Center, 401 Academy St. RSVP online via Blue Hen Careers.
Article by Nikki Laws