Interested students and faculty gathered Tuesday afternoon to receive information on the Fulbright program, an international study/teaching experience.

Deborah Pierce, executive director of the Division of International Programs and the NIU adviser for Fulbright student grants, was on hand to answer questions of prospective applicants.

“Fulbright Interest Day is when I really try reaching out to everyone and tell them Fulbright is obtainable,” Pierce said.

NIU faculty who have participated in the Fulbright scholar program spoke with interested faculty about their experiences.

Megan Spillman, from the Institute of International Education in Chicago, was a guest speaker who spoke with interested students about the benefits of the Fulbright program.

“It’s a program to share America with the world,” Spillman said.

The competition begins May 1 and only graduating seniors may apply, Spillman said. However, Pierce let interested students know they can begin preparing to apply for the Fulbright program as early as their freshman year.

Students who are interested in participating in the program should contact Pierce as soon as possible so she can begin to work with interested applicants and lead them in the right direction. Pierce stressed how hard it is to get accepted into the program and why every person should obtain any help to fine tune their applications and essays.

“As we work through your Fulbright application, I will become your personal cheerleader,” Pierce said.

A small group of interested students attended the Fulbright Interest Day.

“I want to get into the study of music and culture,” said Jessica Hajek, a graduate student of music. “I’ve had study abroad experience, and I want to continue that in Latin America. I want to bring my knowledge to them.”