Three students to study abroad in 2013-2014

Three University of Missouri-Kansas City students were awarded Fulbright grants to study abroad during the 2013-2014 academic year.

The students are John Chittum, Nathan Hoffmann and Kate Tankel.

“We are very proud of our three Fulbright U. S. Student grantees and wish them well as they spend the upcoming academic year abroad,” said Linna Place, Ph.D., director of International Academic Programs at the university. “This is a great opportunity for our students to experience another culture and to fine-tune their research.”

Funded through the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Fulbright Program provides funding for students, scholars, teachers and professionals to undertake graduate study, advanced research, university teaching and teaching in elementary and secondary schools. This competitive program requires applicants to undergo an extensive application process.

Chittum, a doctoral student at the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance, will research “death metal” music and performers at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, Sweden’s largest college of music. He credits the assistance he received at UMKC for this opportunity.

“My mentors in this project were Drs. William Everett, Paul Rudy, James Mobberley, Claire McMurray and Linna Place. The support pulled me through the difficult process of writing, rewriting and creating a distinct and memorable proposal,” said Chittum.

Chittum’s research in Stockholm will contribute to his doctoral dissertation.

Selected as an English teaching assistant, Hoffmann will teach English conversation and culture at the Université de Mons in southwestern Belgium, and he plans to have an active presence in the community during his stay. Hoffman is a 2013 graduate, receiving a bachelor’s degree in French and a bachelor’s in music, with a concentration in cello performance.

“I am hoping to involve myself in the community through observing Belgian music education strategies in public schools,” said Hoffmann. “I’m excited to immerse myself in French-speaking Belgian culture, share my knowledge and travel to the great sites and cities of Europe.”

In addition to Drs. McMurray and Place, Hoffmann credits UMKC faculty members, including professors Gayle Levy, Kathy Krause, Carter Enyeart and Lindsy Myers.

Tankel – who just completed bachelor degrees in Spanish and K-12 Spanish Education – also received an English teaching assistantship and will teach in Ecuador.

After studying abroad in Argentina, Tankel said she fell in love with the culture and sought out ways to connect teaching and her new love.

“I fell in love with the Hispanic culture and wanted to find a way to connect my passion for teaching and newfound love for South America,” said Tankel. “When I informed the International Academic Programs office of my decision to apply for a Fulbright English teaching assistantship to Ecuador, they were eager to support and assist me throughout the process.”

Tankel expressed gratitude to the IAP staff, the Trustees’ Scholar “family” and her Spanish and education professors at UMKC who mentored her throughout her years here. Tankel was named a UMKC Trustees’ Scholar in 2008.

“I look forward to representing UMKC in all that I do during my time abroad,” said Tankel.