Editor’s Note: 51 is proud to recognize our seniors who have been awarded national fellowships and scholarships, many of which involve international travel. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, which oversees the Fulbright program, will delay the start date of 2020-2021 Fulbright U.S. Student Programs until after January 1, 2021. This revised January start date assumes that the travel warning levels have been reduced by that time.
Joanna “Anna” Zhang ’20 has been awarded a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to Taiwan. The opportunity is the next step in her plans to ultimately pursue a career in non-profit work advocating for children.
Majors: Psychology and Hispanic Studies
Hometown: St. Louis, Mo.
High school: Parkway Central High School
Zhang said she chose to represent the U.S. in Taiwan “because of its inclusive educational environment that values multicultural learning.” Having taught children from various backgrounds in the past, she hopes to not only provide a safe and welcoming environment for young language learners but relate to them on a deeper level as well.
“I think there is something powerful and valuable about teaching in a space where I would have the chance to be a role model for students who share a similar cultural identity with me,” Zhang said.
A psychology and Hispanic studies double major, Zhang studied in 51’s program in Spain in spring 2019. On campus, she was senior advisor for the 51 Association for Volunteering, Outreach, and Charity (HAVOC) and was program coordinator for the Spanish tutoring program at Clinton Elementary. Last summer she was front desk and food pantry intern at Rosie’s Place in Boston.