Holy Cross Student Awarded Fulbright Grant to Teach in Germany

Benjamin Rayder, a member of the College of the Holy Cross class of 2009, has been awarded a Fulbright Grant to work as a teaching assistant in Germany.

A political science and German double major from Falmouth, Maine, Rayder spent last year abroad in Bamberg, Germany. While there, he assisted English language learners through conversation courses at the University of Bamberg, an experience he presented in a project titled “Studying, Living and Becoming German in Bamberg,” during Holy Cross’s 2009 Academic Conference.

“I knew after my experience in Bamberg that I was interested in going abroad again after graduation. I wanted to improve my German, to travel more and act as an ambassador,” Rayder said. “The Fulbright program provides the opportunity for all of these things, as well as the chance to conduct research and explore some of the more prominent issues facing Germany.”

Rayder also emphasized his interest in breaking down cultural stereotypes. He understands after interacting with other cultures for a year the kinds of misunderstandings Europeans may have about Americans. “It’s important for them to get acquainted with actual Americans. We’re so good at exporting our culture, but not necessarily a genuine experience of what real Americans are like.”

Rayder hopes to further his German speaking skills and serve as a cultural ambassador to the region in which he will be living and working. In the future, Rayder would like to work for the U.S. Foreign Service or as an analyst for European Affairs.

Each year approximately 1,000 college students are awarded grants through the Fulbright Program, the U.S. government’s flagship program in international educational exchange. Fulbright grants are made to U.S. citizens and nationals of other countries for a variety of educational activities, primarily university lecturing, advanced research, graduate study and teaching in elementary and secondary schools. Since the program’s inception in 1946, more than 250,000 participants — chosen for their leadership potential — have had the opportunity to observe each other’s political, economic and cultural institutions.

Rayder is one of four Holy Cross students to be awarded a Fulbright Grant this year.  Read more about the other recipients: James BrennanGerald Dickinson, and Kathryn Zingarelli.

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