Northwestern University Athletics
Liza Engstrom Earns Prestigious Fulbright Position
5/3/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
May 3, 2011
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Already a multiple-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, Northwestern senior swimmer Liza Engstrom (Reno, Nev./Robert McQueen) has earned another academic achievement that will lead to an exciting new educational experience: Fulbright Scholar.
The religious studies major will spend a minimum of one year abroad in South Korea, teaching conversational English at a primary school in a rural area of the country as part of the Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) Program. She applied in the summer of 2010 to fulfill a desire to live abroad and experience other cultures.
"Because of my commitment to swimming and the intense training it requires, I have never been able to participate in any study abroad programs during high school or college," Engstrom said. "When Northwestern's Fellowship Office introduced me to the Fulbright Program, I realized I could still actualize this dream."
The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. Government, designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries. The Program was established in 1946 under legislation introduced by Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas. It has provided approximately 294,000 participants -- who are chosen for their academic and leadership potential -- with the opportunity to study, teach, conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns.
"In addition to going abroad, I've also always wanted to teach," Engstrom said. "Both of my parents are teachers, and I have enjoyed teaching swimming over the years. I also have heard wonderful things about Korea and have an interest in the Korean culture and language after encountering them through a close friend and teammate who is Korean-American. The Fulbright Program in Korea allows me to combine my three interests and provides an opportunity to act as an ambassador for my country."
Engstrom recently completed the final details and medical screening, clearing the final hurdles for her assignment. The location and school where she will work will be determined after a six-week orientation and training institution beginning in early July.
"Although my primary focus will be teaching, I also hope to conduct research regarding the differences between Korean and American ideas and promotion of physical fitness and health," Engstrom said. "My experience as a Division I varsity athlete played a huge part in this particular interest, and instilled in me many important qualities -- such as discipline and time management -- that I will certainly draw from in my overall experience."
Engstrom earned All-America honorable mention honors as a freshman at Northwestern, competing in both backstroke distances and with the 200 free relay at the 2008 NCAA Championships. A member of the school-record-holding 200 free relay, she went on to break the school record in the 100 back in both her freshman and senior seasons, capping her career by scoring points for NU in both backstroke events at the 2011 Big Ten Championships.
"We are extremely excited to know that Liza has earned this prestigious award," NU head women's swimming and diving coach Jimmy Tierney said. "She is a very bright young lady who has a passion for life and learning. I have no doubt that her quest for knowledge and her desire to make a difference in this world will have a profound effect on the young students she will be working with overseas. She will make the Northwestern community very proud with her future endeavors."
The Fulbright ETA program is a one-year commitment unless Engstrom chooses to renew her application for up to two more years.
"I'm very proud to have been selected and greatly look forward to fulfilling my Fulbright obligations next year," Engstrom said.
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