An NYU Abu Dhabi senior has been awarded a Fulbright grant to research agriculture in Brazil upon graduation. Matthew French, 22, from Massachusetts, U.S., is one of over 1,900 U.S. citizens who will travel abroad for the 2015-2016 academic year through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Recipients of Fulbright grants are selected on the basis of academic and professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential.
French, who majored in social research and public policy, will travel to Brazil immediately after graduation and begin a year of study at the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Belo Horizonte while conducting research on drought control effectiveness in rural Minas Gerais.
French said: “Fulbright is not only important to me because it gives me the chance to represent my country by studying and researching abroad, but also because I see it as an extension of the core values that I have come to appreciate at NYU Abu Dhabi. Once again, I'll have the chance to learn about the world by diving right into it, exploring a new place and a new people through scholarship and immersion. I could not be more grateful."
French is one of a handful of soon-to-be graduates who translated four years in Abu Dhabi into prestigious, global academic scholarships, awards, and grants to continue their studies and research.
Mastewal T. Terefe, who studied social research and public policy and political science, from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, has been awarded The Louis Dreyfus-Weidenfeld Scholarships and Leadership Programme supporting outstanding postgraduate students from emerging economies throughout Africa, Asia and South America to study at Oxford University.
Three Class of 2015 students, Brooks Fowler, Benjamin Jance IV, and Kimberly Kathleen Rodriguez received the NYU President’s Service Award recognizing the distinguished achievements of undergraduate, graduate, and professional students and student organizations for their promotion of learning, leadership, and quality of student life at New York University.
Xinshi Ji, who studied economics, finance/mathematics, has received the William R. Berkley Scholarship, supporting exceptional college seniors who wish to pursue their Full-time MBA at NYU Stern directly following graduation.
These awards follow two significant scholarships previously announced. Last month, students Arfa Rehman and Hamel Al Qubaisi were named 2015 Rhodes Scholars for the United Arab Emirates and will be attending Oxford University for their graduate studies starting in September.
The award winners are among the 141 students from 53 countries who will graduate from NYU Abu Dhabi May 24 during the University’s second Commencement exercises, to be held at the Saadiyat Island campus.