Carolyn Bero, a recent honors graduate at the University of Alabama, received a Fulbright Scholarship. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Carolyn Bero has earned a prestigious Fulbright scholarship and will be teaching teenagers in Getafe, Spain.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, the Fulbright Scholarship Program is the largest U.S. international exchange program and increases cultural interaction between Americans and citizens in host countries. Students pursue international graduate study, advanced research and teaching in more than 150 countries.

In September 2012, Bero began the application process and was notified about her successful bid in late April. A professor at the University of Alabama helped her revise her personal statement and grant purpose. Bero also completed an interview and supplied recommendation letters.

Bero said her scholarship “will provide incredible opportunities to create a more informed understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity.” This year, 1,700 students nationwide were awarded a Fulbright Scholarship from 9,690 applicants.

In May, Bero graduated summa cum laude from UA with majors in Spanish, political science and international studies. Bero was involved with UA Disaster Relief Internship following the 2011 tornado, International Students Association and SGA Judicial Board. She maintained a 4.0 GPA.

“I’ll be teaching Model UN (United Nations) to high school students at IES Leon Felipe in Getafe, Spain, a Madrid suburb. I recently took a class on Model UN at UA, so I’m excited to get to put that to work,” Bero said. The Fulbright program will pay Bero’s travel expenses and a stipend for living expenses.

Visiting Spain will be her first trip abroad. “I’m incredibly excited. I know (I’ll have) a bit of a learning curve, but I can’t wait to start,” Bero said. After her teaching assignment, she hopes to enter graduate school to study political science and eventually teach at a university.

Carolyn’s parents are Carl and Elizabeth Bero. He works as senior computer scientist for DESE Research Inc. She teaches enrichment classes at Horizon Elementary School. Carolyn’s siblings are Chris, 19, a sophomore computer science major at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and Kati, 15, a sophomore at Bob Jones High School.