© 2024 Boise State Public Radio
NPR in Idaho
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Boise State Public Radio News is here to keep you current on the news surrounding COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

Boise State University's Record Number Of Fulbright Scholars Face Uncertainty Due To COVID-19

Courtesy of Connor Dennis
Connor Dennis is planning on teaching English in Taiwan on an English Teaching Assistant grant.

In the past nine years, 21 graduate and undergraduate students have been awarded Fulbright Scholarships. This year, five Boise State students have been chosen, setting a new state record.

“Here I am from Boise State and I really think it’s cool that this program isn’t just for the elite, it’s for everybody," said Connor Dennis, one of the Fulbright Scholars selected this year. 

The history major says he credits some of his success to his advisor, who offered him tireless support including helping him through 13 edits of essays.

“When you realize how much work you have to put into these one-page papers, it was really harder than my senior paper that I just turned in, which was 20 pages," said Dennis. 

He was going to start teaching English in Taiwan in August, but COVID-19 has delayed the program until the beginning of next year. Dennis says his program will now be shortened by five months.

“Yeah I’m bummed right now, but I’m sure I’ll be just as excited when it comes around," said Dennis. 

He is worried there may be more logistical hiccups coming his way because of the virus, but he is trying to stay focused on learning Mandarin Chinese and looking forward to his time abroad. 

Copyright 2020 Boise State Public Radio

Member support is what makes local COVID-19 reporting possible. Support this coverage here.

You make stories like this possible.

The biggest portion of Boise State Public Radio's funding comes from readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

Your donation today helps make our local reporting free for our entire community.