Lenard J Foust recently earned his Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Dance and Performance Studies from the University of Michigan School of Music, Theater, and Dance, and is currently a U.S. Fulbright Scholar affiliated with the Shanghai Theatre Academy. Image courtesy: Lenard J. Foust

ANN ARBOR—University of Michigan graduate student Lenard Foust just finished his journey as a U.S. Fulbright Scholar in China.

Foust, an MFA dance student, spent six months in Beijing and Shanghai, studying Mandarin while teaching and taking dance courses. His passion for the art of movement and education ignited his drive to grow professionally and further develop his abilities to teach and to promote the love of learning through movement and dance.

Foust taught dance at several local studios in Shanghai and Beijing and did a lecture series in the United States Embassy, in Beijing. Image courtesy: Lenard J. Foust

“This Fulbright was very transformative,” he said. “I was able to apply my language learning to my teaching, which was challenging but so rewarding. It also provided me with new found knowledge and a greater appreciation of cross-cultural exchange.”

Foust is one of 21 U-M students and young alumni who received the highly competitive award for the 2019-20 academic year. The grants fund student research or teaching overseas for six to 12 months, providing immersive experiences across the globe.

The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. Nearly 1,900 U.S. students, artists and young professionals from 100 different fields are offered Fulbrights each year.

“I applaud U-M’s latest Fulbright scholars and thank them for advancing knowledge and cultural appreciation around the world,” said U-M President Mark Schlissel. “Our university’s leadership in international education helps us fulfill our public mission and ensures that we do not shrink from our responsibility to promote global stability and peace.”

Fulbrights were also awarded to 11 U-M faculty scholars from the Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint campuses. Recipients are chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential. This year, their interests ranged from nuclear physics and linguistics to modern history and language arts.

Sapna Thwaite (pictured middle row, far right) of the University of Michigan-Flint received an award to Germany for the prestigious International Education Administrators Program. Image courtesy Sapna Thwaite

Sapna Thwaite of U-M-Flint received an award to Germany for the International Education Administrators Program. The spirit behind the U.S./German Higher Education Administrators program is to promote collaboration and relationship building between higher education institutions in Germany and the United States.

“As a higher education administrator selected to participate in this competitive program, my goal was to deepen my knowledge of German culture and the educational system as well as create more opportunities for our faculty and students in Germany,” Thwaite said. “I was also hoping to bring more faculty and staff from Germany to our campus.”

The staff at U-M’s International Institute and fellowship adviser Heather Johnson provide individual advising and resources necessary to help students and faculty put forth a compelling and competitive application throughout the Fulbright selection process.

“It is no accident that U-M is once again a top-producing university for Fulbright awards,” said Pauline Jones, director of the International Institute. “The faculty and staff at the International Institute are deeply committed to international education and global engagement. They play an enormous role in inspiring and preparing students to participate and succeed in this competition.”

More information:

• 2019-20 Fulbright institutions
• International Institute Fulbright office