Two University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign students received places in the Fulbright Commission’s Summer Institutes program — a selective summer scholarship program.
Lindsay Bitner-Mitchell, a first-year student who is majoring in communication, has been selected by the U.S.-U.K. Fulbright Commission to experience the United Kingdom on a three-week summer film program at Lancaster University in England.
Second-year student Cecelia Escobar, who is double majoring in political science and Latina/Latino studies, was selected for the three-week Understanding Northern Ireland” summer program at Queens University Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Through a combination of lectures, screenings and workshops at Lancaster, Bitner-Mitchell will develop an understanding of the formal and technical composition of films as well as the wider conventions of cinemas.
The workshops allow students to work with cameras and digital film equipment along with dedicated time in postproduction and editing, with each student given the opportunityto write a short script individually before the cohort selects one of the scripts to produce as a group.
The program aligns perfectly with Bitner-Mitchell’s goal of expanding her acumen in the hands-on production of films.
“I am hoping to learn more about the different techniques of filmmaking, since I have never taken a class for it other than watching movies,” said Bitner-Mitchell, a graduate of Plainfield East High School. “I am overall just ready to learn in an entirely new environment in the U.K. I have never been to Europe before, so I am ready to see day-to-day life there.
“I cannot wait to meet the other members of the cohort and make a short film.”
At Queen’s University, Escobar will be introduced to the rich tapestry of historical, cultural, political and socioeconomic factors that combine to make Northern Ireland a unique place. This experiential program will situate Queen’s, the city of Belfast and the north of Ireland within the key conversations that shape our wider world.
Escobar and the other program participants will learn about Belfast and explore the country alongside peers from across the world’s seven continents.
” I am most excited to learn about the history of Northern Ireland and Belfast, particularly in relation to the ‘Troubles,'” said Escobar, who was born and raised in Chicago and graduated from Jones College Preparatory High School. “I hope to gain insight from scholars and conflict management professionals at Queen’s University Belfast that I can incorporate into my studies here at U of I.”
The summer institutes form part of the U.S.-U.K. Fulbright Commission’s work to promote leadership, learning and empathy between nations through educational exchange.
Fulbright Summer Institutes cover participants’ major costs and provide them with a distinctive support and cultural education program, including comprehensive predeparture guidance, enrichment opportunities in the U.K. and an opportunity to be part of the Fulbright alumni network.
The commission selects participants through a rigorous application and interview process. In making these awards, the commission looks not only for academic excellence but a focused application, a range of extracurricular and community activities, demonstrated ambassadorial skills and a plan to give back to the recipient’s home country upon returning.
“The U.S.-U.K. Fulbright Commission selected 32 rising scholars from across the entire U. S., with the U of I as the only institution with more than one recipient,” said David Schug, director of the National and International Scholarships Program at Illinois. “Another outward sign that our students are fantastic.”
