Pacific Index

Issue date: 8/20/09 Section: Student Life

2009 Pacific University graduate Danielle Phillips will be teaching English in Indonesia beginning this fall

Social work and sociology major Jean Laschever, who graduated Pacific in 2009, will be traveling to India to conduct research HIV/AIDS policies

Since 1999, Pacific has sent 19 Fulbright Scholars to teach or conduct research abroad in countries like Germany, Korea, Ecuador, France, Nigeria, and New Zealand. As of this summer, two more graduates have been added to that list.

Danielle Phillips, who graduated with a degree in modern language, and Jean Laschever, who double majored in social work and sociology, both walked with the graduating class of 2009 and are now Fulbright Scholars.

The Fulbright scholarship gives men and women the opportunity to either teach or conduct research overseas. The program, which is funded by the U.S. State Department, is the largest international exchange program in the country. With over 150 countries to choose from, students have the opportunity to go almost anywhere they desire.

"It's very competitive," said Chris Wilkes, vice provost of research at Pacific, and head of the Pacific's Fulbright program committee. "Students apply from schools like Harvard, Yale - the best schools in the country. We've thrown people onto a national, competitive environment."

When asked what the Fulbright organization looks for when they select recipients, Wilkes admitted that it's hard to know exactly, but noted a few main qualities.

"Compassion is the most important thing. A willingness to help other people," he said. "The second thing is leadership.

"I think the third thing might be genuine interest in other cultures. It can't just be a tourist thing."

Though Danielle Phillips has been to 14 countries throughout the course of her life, she has always been a student before a tourist.

When she first heard back from Fulbright, Phillips was told she was an alternate selection. It wasn't until early June that Phillips was learned she was Fulbright Scholar.

"In America, 'maybe' usually means 'no', so I had a back-up plan of going to China to teach English in a middle school," said Phillips. "I was so excited for that opportunity, but when this came up, I had to drop everything China-related. This was monumental, I couldn't say no."

"Originally, it was encouraged that I go somewhere in Latin America, especially by my family, simply because that is where I've done most of my 'non-European' traveling," said Phillips. "I honestly wanted something new."

Due to an interest that was sparked during her an Intro to World Music class she took as freshman at Pacific, Phillips decided she wants to go to Indonesia.

Phillips drove to Portland every Wednesday one summer to play with a gamelan ensemble, which features instrumentation and vocals unique to Indonesia. Phillips was immediately hooked.

"I [got to] know many people in the ensemble that had lived in Indonesia or were planning to go," said Phillips. It sounded like an experience that would be just perfect for me."

Phillips is planning on teaching English during her 10-month stay in Indonesia.

"I think that being somewhat globally aware and being well traveled will help me with what I'm about to dive into," she said. "I still have a lot to learn about different cultures and ideas, but this will hopefully help me out in that regard."

Laschever will be leaving for India, her country of choice, this month to conduct research on their HIV/AIDS policies at Lady Doak College, which is located in the country's southern-most state.

"I want to study the differences between the way policy looks and the way it acts," said Laschever, who visited India with a humanities class this winter.

When Laschever got word on May 4 that her grant application had been approved, she said she "could hardly believe it."

"I think I'm still kind of in shock - I don't think I'll actually believe it until I'm on the plane," she said.

"When I took my first sociology class, I realized there were people doing research on how other people approach the world," she said. "That fascinates me. I could spend the rest of my life working in academia. It's one of the most heroic things a person can do."

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