Admissions

Lake Forest, Ill. – Lake Forest College graduate Maria Jose Norero '09 has been awarded a Fulbright grant to pursue research on Afro-Ecuadorean communities in coastal Ecuador this fall.

“I knew after coming back from being abroad,” Norero said, “and interning with vocalo.org that I wanted to go into media rights activism. I needed a way to put my passion into practice and Fulbright seemed like the best way to do it.”

Norero plans to work in conjunction with FLACSO, a research institute, and CineMemoria, a film organization, to interview subjects “to study how documentary filmmaking can positively affect the identity formation of marginalized groups like the Afro-Ecuadorian community,” she wrote in her project proposal.

“I have never been to Ecuador,” Norero says, “But, I hear that it's an exciting and multiethnic country, and I'm excited to get to know the communities and individuals I'll be meeting along the way.”

Norero had originally been awarded a grant to study in Bolivia, but that program was suspended after the Bolivian government refused to grant U.S. students visas longer than three months. The five recipients of grants to Bolivia were given the opportunity to apply for three additional grants in other parts of South America. Norero was selected again from that group.

Norero also delivered the senior class speech at Commencement, and she plans to pursue a career in media.

Four students from the College have received Fulbright awards since 2006.

Established in 1946, the Fulbright Program aims to increase mutual understanding between the peoples of the United States and other countries, through the exchange of persons, knowledge, and skills.

Lake Forest College is a national liberal arts institution located 30 miles north of downtown Chicago. The College has 1,400 students representing 45 states and 69 countries.

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Will Pittinos '06
847-735-6177
pittinos@lakeforest.edu