University of Minnesota Morris student Catherine Van Wey ’26 has been named a finalist for a Fulbright grant. The English and Spanish major from Maple Grove received notification on April 9 that she was selected for a Fulbright Award to Spain for the 2026-27 academic year. Van Wey applied to the English Teaching Assistant (ETA) program.
The ETA program places Fulbrighters in classrooms abroad to provide assistance to the 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.
About Fulbright
The Fulbright Program was created in 1946 in the aftermath of World War II. Since its inception, over 450,000 Fulbrighters from the United States and 160 countries, have studied, taught, and conducted research in each other’s countries while promoting mutual understanding and collaboration as participants and alumni. Operated by the U.S. Department of State to promote cultural exchange, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides grants for participants to study, pursue research or teach English abroad. It is the most prestigious international exchange program in the world, with more than 140 countries participating.