UTSA alumnus travels to Cambodia on Fulbright program

SEPTEMBER 26, 2024 — Recent UTSA graduate Kane Sandoval ’23 has been named a finalist by the Fulbright U.S. Student Program and will be travelling to Cambodia to serve as a Fulbright English teaching assistant. This prestigious international educational exchange program, designed to increase mutual understanding between Americans and people in other countries, provides awards to approximately 8,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists and professionals each year.

Around 2,200 students participate in the student program, which funds their work to teach, conduct independent research or earn a graduate degree.

Sandoval was an Honors College student who graduated with a B.S. in environmental science in 2023. In 2022, he received the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, which enabled him to attend the UTSA College of Sciencesprogram in Urbino, Italy that fall.

“Kane will bring to Cambodia his knowledge of environmental science as well as enthusiasm for education. He’ll be a fantastic representative of UTSA, San Antonio, and the U.S.”

Since graduating, he has also traveled to Paraguay to complete an internship with Fundación Para La Tierra, a nonprofit organization studying, conserving and teaching about the biodiversity of the region.

Kane Sandoval will serve as a Fulbright English teaching assistant in Cambodia.

Additionally, Sandoval has continued to stay connected to UTSA, working as a laboratory assistant in The Smith Wildlife lab at UTSA, which was previouly led by Jennifer Smith, a former assistant professor in the UTSA Department of Integrative Biology. He also served as a counselor for entomology and hydrology-themed summer camps at UTSA this summer.

Sandoval submitted his Fulbright application through the UTSA Office of Nationally Competitive Awards. The office supported him through the application process by interviewing him, helping him select a country that matched his interests, brainstorming with him on how to tell his story, and reviewing essay drafts.

Fulbright winners receive a monthly stipend along with travel benefits, health benefits and free training. Recipients of Fulbright grants are selected based on their academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields.

In Cambodia, Sandoval will work with local instructors to help teach the English language, while also serving as a grassroots cultural ambassador of the United States.

“I want to help Cambodia because I believe it is a country mostly ignored by the Western world, and I could help show that the U.S. does care about the people there,” Kane said. “I cherish helping people born without the opportunities I had and encountering new cultures to expand ideas and compassion.”

After completing the 10-month position, Sandoval plans to apply for an international master's program in environmental science or related fields.

Two other UTSA graduates, Jaci Finch ’23 and Danny Vidaurri ’23, received Fulbright awards this year. Finch is a current graduate student at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and will be traveling to Viljandi, Estonia, to work at the Viljandi Library American Center. She originally applied to the program as an undergraduate through UTSA and was a semi-finalist; this year she applied again through UTRGV. Vidaurri, who applied as an at-large candidate, will travel to Spain under the Fulbright English Teaching Assistant program.

In fall 2023, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs named UTSA a Fulbright HSI Leader, recognizing the university’s noteworthy participation across Fulbright programs for students, faculty and administrators for the second year in a row.

Since 2020, 17 UTSA students have received Fulbright scholarships. The UTSA Office of Nationally Competitive Awardsactively promotes Fulbright program opportunities for students and works with them to enhance their eligibility. In April, UTSA welcomed a Fulbright delegation to campus, which included Director of U.S. student programs Dan Kramer, as well as Fulbright alumni. The visit was part of an initiative to grow Fulbright’s presence at UTSA.

Last year, a record 18 Roadrunners applied for the student program. 

“We’re happy to see students from across UTSA apply to Fulbright. While many think Fulbright is only for liberal and fine arts students, applicants like Kane remind us that all academic backgrounds can participate in the program,” said Andrew Chapman, UTSA director of nationally competitive awards. “Kane will bring to Cambodia his knowledge of environmental science as well as enthusiasm for education. He’ll be a fantastic representative of UTSA, San Antonio, and the U.S.”

— Matthew Boerger