Bethlehem, Pa., May 8, 2015—Ask an about-to-graduate senior what they hope the next year of their life brings, and you’ll hear much of the same: a full-time job in their field, an apartment or home of their own, maybe even the pursuit of another degree. Robin Tieperman ’15, an education and Spanish major, wanted her post-grad plans to be a life-changing experience. It’s what inspired her to apply for an English Teaching Assistantship Fulbright Scholarship in Mexico, and her passion for forming relationships across cultures is what made Tieperman the 12th Fulbright scholar from Moravian College in the past 15 years.
Tieperman will spend the next year of her life teaching English in Mexico (she hasn’t received her full assignment yet), but she believes she’ll be getting an education of her own. “When you get to know the people of another culture, you’re not just knowing a place. You’re knowing the heart and soul of a place,” she said. “Mexico is our southern neighbor, and I think this is a really unique way to learn about each others’ cultures outside of what you hear on the news.”
Tieperman came to Moravian College by way of Central Bucks County in Pennsylvania. She immediately fell in love with Bethlehem’s charm and the small, comfortable atmosphere that would eventually pull her out of her shell. “My family tells me I should work for the tourism board!" she noted. She began her scholastic journey as a flute performance and Spanish major, but yearned for the opportunity to travel with her passions. Education gave her more room to take a variety of liberal arts courses, which she believes enhances her skills as as a teacher. “I am a very curious person, and I liked that I could explore and indulge that as part of my education.”
“It's been interesting watching her transformation from a creative, but unsure freshman, to someone who is surprised and delighted by how well received she was by her students during her student teaching,” said Erica Yozell, associate professor of Spanish and chair of the Modern Languages & Literatures department. Yozell was one of several faculty mentors who helped guide Tieperman throughout her time at Moravian College, including which the Fulbright application. “With her degree of engagement, care and empathy, I think students anywhere will respond to her. Her passion for literature and language will encourage her students to consider those areas with more interest and open-mindedness.”
Many of Tieperman’s fondest memories of her four years at the College involve interactions with faculty members—and as we’ve learned, the feeling was mutual. “I particularly enjoyed the independent study on Linguistics she did with me last semester,” said Carmen Ferrero, associate professor of Spanish and Tieperman’s Spanish adviser. “She probably doesn´t know that I learned from her as much as she may say she learned from me. That´s what education is all about, a two-way street, and that street was open with Robin at all times. I am very happy for Robin; I knew this Fulbright was waiting for her.”
Tieperman recently finished her student teaching assignment at Liberty High School teaching Spanish III and IV to students in grades 9 through 12. This follows a stint at East Hills Middle School teaching Spanish 1 and exploratory Spanish. As someone who shudders at the word “plan,” it’s not surprising to hear that Tieperman has very little anxiety leading up to her big departure. She anticipates her biggest challenge to be falling into a cultural rhythm and learning social cues, but it’s also what she finds most fun. “I like possibilities, not definites,” she says. “There’s a lot of hope and optimism in possibilities,” she says.”
Tieperman, the 12th person from Moravian College to win a prestigious Fulbright in the past 15 years. Those in recent years included Rianne Stowell ’13 who spent nine months conducting research in the University of Seville’s Department of Pharmacology in Spain. She is now a researcher in graduate school at the University of Rochester. In 2012, Moravian student Jamie Thierolf ’12 received a Fulbright to teach and study in Madrid, Spain. The prior year, Anne Dutlinger, associate professor of art, and alumna Cynthia Dretel ’10 were awarded Fulbright Scholar awards.
Tieperman joins the ranks of nearly 300,000 Fulbright Grant recipients since Congress began the program in 1946, immediately after W.W. II, to "enable the government of the United States to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries." Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, the Fulbright program is the largest international exchange program offering opportunities for students, scholars and professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research and teaching opportunities.
Today the Fulbright Program is the U.S. Government's premier scholarship program. It enables U.S. students, artists and other professionals to benefit from unique resources all over the world. The Fulbright (Full Grant) provides round-trip transportation; language or orientation courses, where appropriate; tuition, in some cases; book and research allowances; and maintenance for the academic year. The U.S. Student Program is designed to give recent B.S./B.A. graduates, masters and doctoral candidates, and young professionals and artists opportunities for personal development and international experience. Most grantees plan their own programs.