Eight Michigan State University students earned Fulbright Fellowships to conduct international research in the country of their choice.

It is so important for students to have the opportunity to do research overseas, said Frank DItri, coordinator of Fulbright programs for International Studies and Programs. Internationalizing the student experience is what makes MSU one of the top universities for research and study.

Of the eight new fellows, six were selected for a Fulbright program by the Institute of International Education, which will cover costs, fees and expenses associated with study, research and/or teaching assistantships abroad. Two were selected for a Fulbright Hays-Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad program, providing a grant to the college or university that will fund their proposed research project.

The Fulbright office, coordinated by DItri, is housed in the International Center at MSU and serves American students who are looking for support to conduct international research.

The new fellows are:

Marieka Brouwer, doctoral student in archaeology from Cross Plains, Wisc., will research the preservation of hunter-gatherer heritage in the Netherlands.

Yvette Efevbera, international relations senior from Big Rapids, will research girl support groups in Uganda.

Marcy Hessling, doctoral student in anthropology from Troy, will research the effects of education and migration on girls in Benin.

Rowenn Kalman, doctoral student in anthropology from Shoreline, Wash., will research for her dissertation on the environmental stewardship of NGOs and communities in Peru.

Allison Loconto, doctoral student in sociology from Okemos, will research sustainability and tea production in Tanzania.

Seth Morton, English senior from Spring Arbor, will teach English in an assistantship in Germany.

Matthew Murray, a history senior from Dearborn Heights, will research irrigation and the environment in the colonial history of Tunisia.

Stephen Naumann, doctoral student in German Studies, will research for his dissertation on contested memories of Poznans Imperial Palace in Poland.

Monica Evans, doctoral student in educational policy from East Lansing, was selected as an alternate to conduct research for her dissertation on social inclusion through educational policy in Brazil.

For more information on the Fulbright office at MSU or program availability, visit the ISP Web site, or call Frank DItri, coordinator of Fulbright programs, at (517) 432-8244.