Being a Fullbright Scholar was the experience of a lifetime
Michelle Deshong recounts her incredible experience as the 2015 Fulbright Indigenous Professional Scholar. Applications are now open for the 2017 Indigenous Australian Fullbright Scholarship round.
In January this year, 2015 Fulbright Indigenous Professional Scholar Michelle Deshong travelled to the U.S.A to study at the University of Arizona as part of the Fullbright scholarship programme.
Over four months, Michelle studied the role of Indigenous women in Nation-building and the complex political and legal frameworks that exist for Indigenous people globally.
Michelle said the Fulbright experience had an incredible impact on her life, both personally and professionally.
“I could not have predicted how much the Fulbright opportunity would impact me,” said Michelle.
“It tested my knowledge and skills in relation to Indigenous Affairs on a global scale and made me re-think my own ideas of what is possible.
“The opportunity to immerse myself in the U.S., and build personal and professional relationships that will reach far beyond the duration of the experience, was invaluable.”
While studying, Michelle attended a three-week intensive Indigenous governance programme at the University of Arizona. As part of the programme, she explored nation-building across North America and compared the U.S. and Australian experiences.
“I was humbled to share in cultural knowledge… and I felt a real sense of collaboration and respect,” said Michelle.
“From a cultural perspective our nations have shared similar histories, and our people have endured difficult periods of marginalisation and oppression. However, despite all this there is still a great pride in our identity and as a collective people.”
Michelle encourages anyone thinking of applying for a Fulbright Indigenous Scholarship to just do it.
“When I was contemplating applying for the scholarship I sought advice from colleagues that had previously undertaken it,” said Michelle.
“They reaffirmed for me that the effort put into the application would be worth it and they were right.”
Since coming back from the United States, Michelle has been made a research fellow on a national project that will draw on the knowledge she gained from her Fulbright exchange.
Michelle believes she will keep benefiting from the experience for years to come.
“I expect on a professional level to draw on the many networks and relationships that I have made as part of the programme and will continue to pursue future research and collaboration on joint initiatives,” Michelle said.
Find out more
Applications for the 2017 Fullbright Indigenous Scholarship close 1 August 2016. Applications are for Indigenous Scholarships across the Postgraduate, Postdoctoral, Professional and Senior Scholar categories.
Sponsored by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Fulbright Indigenous Scholarships recognise exceptional Indigenous Australian students and professionals. The scholarships enable talented scholars of Australian Indigenous descent to conduct research or study at U.S. institutions.