NAU sophomore achieves a first with Fulbright Summer Institute in the UK

Summer Fulbright student

Dana Peters, a sophomore at Northern Arizona University, has received a place at a Fulbright UK Summer Institute to study at the University of Exeter on one of the most prestigious and selective summer scholarship programs operating worldwide. She is the first NAU recipient of this award.

The US-UK Fulbright Commission is the only bilateral, transatlantic scholarship program offering awards and summer programs for study or research in any field, at any accredited U.S. or UK university.

Peters, majoring in environmental and sustainability studies, has been selected from a strong applicant pool to experience the UK on a month-long summer program. She will take part in the Issues in Climate Change institute at the University of Exeter, which includes the Global Climate Change: Environment, Technology and Society program through the UE International Summer School. The hosting UE Department of Geography is ranked 18th in the world by QS World University Rankings for 2016.

“I was thrilled to learn that I received a place at the University of Exeter’s summer institute on climate change,” Peters said. “My phone went off at two in the morning with the email notification, and I actually thought it was a dream. Maybe that’s a cliché, but this is such an amazing opportunity for me and I was so surprised to have been accepted.”

Fulbright Summer Institutes cover all participant costs. In addition, Fulbright summer participants receive a distinctive support and cultural education program including visa processing, a comprehensive pre-departure orientation, enrichment opportunities in the country, a re-entry session and the opportunity to join alumni networks.

“The Fulbright summer program is giving me the chance to travel to places I have never been and to interact with people from all around the world,” Peters said. “My hope is to gain some insight on how other places are coping with the impending threat of climate change and to bring this knowledge back to my studies at NAU and my future career.”