“At age 23, I did not expect to have the opportunity to work with children in Taiwan after getting a political science degree,” said Maia Arbel, CLA ’24.
As part of an English teaching assistantship within the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, Arbel spends her days teaching first through sixth graders with varying levels of English proficiency at two different schools in Chiayi, Taiwan.
“It’s been incredible. Working with these kids is a happiness I’ve never felt before,” she continued.
Arbel, a Philadelphia native, is one of Temple’s recent alumni currently living abroad as part of the Fulbright U.S. Student Program during the 2025–2026 cycle. Of Temple’s seven recipients, four are currently abroad, two will depart in early 2026 due to academic calendars in their locations and one declined. One Owl was also named as an alternate.
This year’s cohort carries on Temple’s long tradition of excellence with the Fulbright program—in recent years, the university has been recognized as a Fulbright U.S. Student Program Top Producing Institution five times and more than 175 students and alumni have completed their studies as Fulbright awardees since 1949. The largest exchange program in the country, Fulbright is funded through an appropriation from the U.S. Congress and supports students and recent graduates as they travel abroad to conduct research, complete creative projects, pursue graduate study or teach English.
“When we look at our applicants and our recipients, one thing that they have in common is an interest in firsthand experience through volunteering and being active on campus and in the community,” said Barbara Gorka, director of scholar development and fellowship advising, who provides support for students at every stage of the application process. “The Fulbright program values not just academic excellence but also community engagement and cultural exchange, and Temple students are very engaged on campus, across Philadelphia and even abroad through our study abroad programs.”
This year’s cohort is unprecedented in its representation of humanities scholars, with six out of the seven recipients being graduates of the College of Liberal Arts. “The overwhelming number of Fulbright recipients with a connection to Temple’s College of Liberal Arts is emblematic of the strength of the humanities and social sciences at Temple and demonstrates our strong commitment to global cultural exchange,” said Richard Deeg, dean of the College of Liberal Arts.
This year is also the first time Temple had three Fulbright recipients accepted for study in the U.K., one of the most highly competitive locations. Of the three, two are currently abroad while one declined.
“Out of about 1,250 applicants, 45 were chosen and the fact that there are three of us from one university is unheard of,” said Sunvy Yalamarthy, CLA ’23, a Pittsburgh native on a Fulbright graduate degree grant at the University of Nottingham.
After completing a double major in psychology and political science as an undergraduate, Yalamarthy spent two years working at the White House and NASA. He’s now pursuing a one-year master of science degree in work and organizational psychology to study how government agencies can better support civil servants. His biggest highlight so far? Traveling 20 minutes to Nottingham to see Wollaton Hall, the building that was used as the filming location for Bruce Wayne’s manor in Batman Begins (2005).
Pittsburgh native Abigail Hong, CPH ’23, is pursuing a master of science in peace and conflict studies at Ulster University in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on a Fulbright graduate degree grant. Living in Belfast provides unique learning opportunities germane to her degree. “My proposal was based around the intersection of public health, which was my undergraduate degree, and conflict and the ways that we can use community development to reduce harm in post-conflict societies, which is why my particular interest is in Belfast and why I’m here,” said Hong.
While Temple’s Fulbright awardees are exceptional, part of Temple’s continued success with the program can be attributed to a strong network of support spanning the university, starting in the Scholarship Development and Fellowships Advising Office. “When it comes to reading applicants’ drafts and conducting campus interviews, in any given year we involve 40 to 45 faculty and staff and 10 to 20 Fulbright alumni,” said Gorka.
Many of the Fulbright scholars in the 2025–2026 cohort claim they couldn’t have gotten where they are without this support. “Dr. Gorka is such an amazing asset to the Temple community,” said Hong. “She read four or five of the drafts of my application. I can’t thank her enough for all the help she gave me during the application process.”
This year’s cohort of Fulbright recipients includes the following.
- Abigail Hong, graduate degree grant, Ulster University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, MSc in peace and conflict studies, CPH ’23
- Sunvy Yalamarthy, graduate degree grant, University of Nottingham, England, MSc in work and organizational psychology, CLA ’23
- Maia Arbel, English teaching assistantship (ETA), Taiwan, CLA ’24
- Massin Larbi, ETA, Taiwan, CLA ’25
- Lauren Dougherty, ETA, Uruguay, EDU ’25
- Julia LaFrance, ETA, South Korea, CLA ’25
- Brianna Kline-Costa, graduate degree grant, University of Birmingham, England, MA in international law, ethics and politics, CLA ’23 (declined award)
Megan Phillips, KLN ’23, was also named as an alternate for the Fulbright U.K. graduate degree grant.
“In a year full of uncertainty, our students are still representing Temple as they engage with communities all over the world, and that’s something worth celebrating,” said Gorka.
The Fulbright competition is administered at Temple through Scholar Development and Fellowships Advising. Learn more about how Temple’s Scholar Development and Fellowships Advising helps students apply for Fulbright scholarships and other external awards. Juniors, seniors, graduate students and recent alumni are encouraged to participate.