Liberty University graduate Katarina Bouton (’17) received a Fulbright U.S. Student Program award from the U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board to teach English in Asturias, Spain. She leaves in September for a nine-month teaching stint.
“The prospect of uniting my desired profession with my fascination with the Spanish culture through a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship excites me profoundly,” she said. “I plan to help equip students to become globally competitive citizens and increase their employment opportunities. This experience will also expand my repertoire of teaching methods, shaping me into a highly effective cross-cultural educator.”
Bouton graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) with Teacher Licensure. She was a member of the Lady Flames Track & Field and Cross Country teams.
In Spain, Bouton also plans to share her passion for running by establishing an after-school distance running club for middle or high school students.
Since graduation, Bouton has been serving at the Elementary English Immersion Center in Sioux Falls, S.D., a rapidly growing refugee resettlement site. She has a desire to help non-native English speakers and plans to continue teaching at the center upon returning from Spain.
Liberty has had Fulbright recipients in the past, but Bouton is the first to have an application accepted through the newly established Liberty University Fulbright Committee. Liberty had five Fulbright semifinalist candidates this year.
For information on Fulbright scholarships, visit Liberty.edu/Law/Fulbright-Scholarships.
