Chapal Bhavsar, a sophomore at the University of Connecticut (UConn), has been chosen to participate in the Fulbright U.K. Summer Institute. The institute, organized by the US-UK Fulbright Commission, aims to promote climate change, sustainability, and civic responsibility for the future of the planet. Bhavsar, a finance major from Danbury, spent four weeks in England at the University of Exeter’s Summer Institute on Global Sustainability. As a participant, he had the opportunity to explore the university and engage in activities that align with his interests in creating a more interconnected and sustainable world. Bhavsar hopes that his experience will enable him to become a more globally aware citizen and help him establish broader connections within his community.
The US-UK Fulbright Commission is committed to advancing knowledge, fostering civic engagement, and developing compassionate leaders through educational exchange programs between the United States and the United Kingdom. The commission supports up to 60 undergraduate students from the U.S. each year to undertake academic and cultural summer programs at renowned institutions across the U.K. The programs usually run for three to four weeks. Bhavsar went through a rigorous application process, including multiple essay questions and a virtual interview with the Fulbright committee. He learned of his selection a few days after his interview in March.
During his time in the U.K., Bhavsar familiarized himself with London and met fellow participants of the Summer Institute. Eventually, he moved to the University of Exeter, known for its excellence in global sustainability and climate research. Bhavsar engaged in research on waste-to-energy solutions in Algeria and presented his findings to the Faculty of Environment, Science, and Economy at Exeter. His project involved an economic analysis, which he further elaborated upon upon his return to the U.S. Bhavsar found his interactions with people from diverse backgrounds to be interesting and enlightening, as he had the opportunity to immerse himself in the culture of another country.
Now back at UConn, Bhavsar aspires to study the infrastructure of developing countries and the United States, focusing on how policymakers can make fiscally sound decisions that benefit the entire population. He plans to seek job opportunities after graduation that allow him to contribute positively to other countries with the support of the United States. Bhavsar gives credit to LuAnn Sanders-Kanabay from UConn’s Office of National Scholarships and Fellowships, as well as mentor Roxanne Lebenzon, an anthropology graduate student, for guiding him through the fellowship application process.
