Kansas State University graduate earns Fulbright award to teach in Germany
MANHATTAN — A May 2016 Kansas State University bachelor's degree graduate in modern languages-German and anthropology is the recipient of a 2016-2017 Fulbright U.S. Student Award to teach in Germany.
LeRoy Prine, Goodland, will work as an English teaching assistant for an academic year starting in September at the Gymnasium Fallersleben in Wolfsburg, Niedersachsen. His interest in the country started during a study abroad opportunity at Justus-Liebig University in Giessen during the 2014-2015 academic year.
Fulbright U.S. Student Grants offer funding in support of international study, research or teaching English as a second language. Scholars receive round-trip transportation, tuition when applicable and a monthly living stipend for one academic year abroad.
Prine, who always knew he wanted to be a teacher, is looking forward to gaining firsthand experience in the classroom and preparing for his future as an educator.
"I am very thankful for the Fulbright U.S. Student Award so I can continue working toward my passion of teaching," Prine said. "My real focus is on my future students abroad as I hope to inspire them to learn about other cultures around the world, such as what we have here in Kansas that exists outside of the mainstream depiction of American education."
The Fulbright program aims to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. It was established under legislation introduced by Sen. J. William Fulbright of Arkansas. It is administered by the Institute of International Education. Fulbright recipients are selected on the basis of academic and professional achievement, leadership potential, and the ability to promote mutual understanding through engagement in the host community.
Upon his return from Germany, Prine plans to attend graduate school to pursue his master's degree in applied linguistics or linguistic anthropology, and receive a certificate in teaching English as a foreign language.
Prine served as the public relations officer, treasurer and vice president for the Kansas State University German Club, a Modern Languages Ambassador and an officer for the Little Apple Pride Committee in Manhattan. Prine also was the recipient of the Goss Discovery Scholarship. A graduate of Goodland High School, he is the son of Gregory Kroskey, Goodland.
The campus application deadline for the next round of competition for the Fulbright U.S. Student Grant is Sept. 12. Seniors and graduate students who might like to compete this year to travel abroad in the 2017-2018 academic year, should contact Jim Hohenbary, director of the Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships, at jimlth@k-state.edu for more information.
