Riley Tollefsrud '25 earned a Fulbright U.S. Student Program award for 2025-26. A psychology and Spanish graduate, Tollefsrud will spend nine months teaching English in Spain.
Tollefsrud earned an English Teaching Assistant (ETA) award, which will place him in a classroom abroad to provide assistance to local English teachers. The age and academic level of their students will vary by country and particular assignment, ranging from kindergarten to university level. Their duties include helping teach English language skills and engaging in community projects while serving as cultural ambassadors for the U.S.
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is a prestigious award that provides funding to study for a master’s degree, complete an independent research project, or teach English for up to a year outside the U.S. During their grant period, Fulbrighters meet, work, live with, and learn from the people of their host country.
In addition to Tollefsrud, another UMN Morris student has been named a Fulbright alternate. As a Fulbright alternate, Grace Meierhofer ’25, Maple Grove, could be promoted to Fulbright finalist status if additional funding becomes available. She applied to teach in Argentina.