Past Fulbrighters/Case Studies

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Pauline Mujawamariya
All-disciplines Postgraduate Awards, 2007

Fulbright Project: MA Poverty & Development, University of Sussex

If you do what you believe and you follow your heart you will succeed. 

Pauline graduated Summa Cum Laude with departmental honors from the University of Arizona, where she received a BA in International Studies. Based on her academic excellence, her leadership, her involvement in Tucson Community and her contribution to the university, Pauline was recognized and received multiple awards. Those distinctions include the Centennial Achievement Award (bestowed upon one female and one male senior each year) and the Honors College Outstanding Senior Award (given to one graduating senior within the Honors College). Pauline was also named a Pillars of Excellence Scholar (given to 11 graduating Honors seniors). A Phi Theta Kappa member, Pauline was also on the National Dean’s List and repeatedly received the Dean’s honorary mention. On International Women’s Day 2002 Pauline received an Outstanding Community Service Award from the Tucson, Arizona community.

 

Pauline's studies and research focus on poverty in Sub-Sahara Africa and her thesis for the University of Sussex Institute for Development Studies was entitled 'Breaking out of Conflict Traps in Pluralized Society: The Case of Rwanda.' On a professional level, she has worked in multiple capacities for non-governmental organizations both in Africa and in the US, experiences that gave her a broad understanding of cultural diversity. Her interest in international issues, especially poverty, stems from her personal history as well as from those professional experiences. Pauline is now pursuing a career in international development focusing on poverty alleviation in Sub-Sahara Africa.

In her own words...

Some differences between the US and UK education systems are the one versus two year MA programs.  I like the idea of being finished in a year and move on to work. Professors here are called by their first name, which is way more personal than the student-teacher relationship in the States. 

The whole thing about Fulbright is to promote mutual understanding and peace.  We’re at a time now when, to some, it’s frustrating to be an American.  The war in Iraq and other dilemmas in international relations have damaged our reputation.  So when I meet people, I am happy to show them that I am not the stereotypical American.  I prefer to confront that misinterpretation head-on by being in a different country and interacting with individuals. 

If you’re thinking about it, go for it!