Celebrating Prof. Bochettaz’s Fulbright Campus Committee Service
Interview with Dr. Bochettaz about his time on the Fulbright Campus Committee
By Júlia von Gersdorff ’25
We are happy to announce that Dr. Olivier Bochettaz has just completed his yearly service in the SCU Fulbright Campus Committee! He oversaw and advised multiple students’ applications to the Fulbright Award in this cycle, including “a graduate program in World Food Studies at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, Italy, and a Master’s in Histoire Politique des Mondes Contemporains at the ENS in Paris, France”.
In light of this, we asked Dr. Bochettaz some questions to learn more about his experience and how he got involved as a Fulbright campus advisor:
Q: How did you come about getting involved with Fulbright on campus and helping students with their applications?
A: As a prior international student myself, I sought ways to become involved with exchange programs here on Campus and came across this opportunity to help out students applying for a Fulbright Scholarship to go study or work abroad. I've been part of the review committee for a few years now.
Q: What was the most rewarding part of being on the Fulbright Campus Committee? Any notable and/or fun anecdotes from the process?
A: The best part is witnessing students' excitement about the possibilities of traveling and living abroad. Being instrumental in the materialization of their projects somehow makes me relive my own early travels.
Q: Do you have any advice for students planning on and/or interested in applying to Fulbright in the next application cycle?
A: My advice to future applicants would be to further consider their compatibility with the specific environment surrounding their plan of study/work. Maybe try and meet a local beforehand to get a more accurate depiction of the cultural experience they wish to embark upon.
Although they will have a long (and slightly anxiety-inducing) period of waiting before the Fulbright Semi-Finalist decisions come out early next year, let’s join Dr. Bochettaz in wishing good luck to these fantastic student applicants!