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The University of North Georgia (UNG) is producing Fulbright students teaching English in South Korea at a higher clip than any other university. That includes seven UNG alumni serving as Fulbright English teaching assistants (ETAs) in the past three academic years.

These UNG alumni are not only serving as ETAs, but they are also making an impact on their communities.

Ashley Fish, a 2021 UNG graduate from Clarkesville, Georgia, with a degree in East Asian studies, is in her third Fulbright year and is teaching at a school for North Korean defectors. When she and a fellow ETA realized their students lacked the funds to take the SAT, ACT and Advanced Placement tests, they worked with Fulbright and Education USA to supply funding for these students. Fish's role in this process was so integral that Bret Kim, executive director of Fulbright Korea, unofficially refers to the support for students as the "Ashley Fish fund."

Fish encouraged Kim to visit UNG while he was in Georgia in the month of April. The visit at UNG's Dahlonega Campus allowed Kim to meet some of the team behind UNG's prolific production of Fulbright students: Dr. Jiyoung Daniel, associate professor of Korean; Dr. Anastasia Lin, director of Nationally Competitive Scholarships; and Dr. Sung Shin Kim, who leads the East Asian studies bachelor's degree program.

Back in South Korea, Fish is in the middle of her final year of Fulbright teaching. She spent the first two years living with host families.

"I've made such good relationships here, and I have such a good community that I wanted to stay for a third year," Fish said.

Fish was a Fulbright semifinalist during her senior year and applied a second time ahead of the 2023-24 academic year at the encouragement of Lin. The alumna also cited the mentorship of Daniel as integral in her path to South Korea.

"91ÊÓƵ the reason I'm here. The professors at UNG are the kind of people who always look out for their students," Fish said. "Knowing there would be someone backing me up was really important for my journey here."

Emelia Thompson, a 2023 graduate with a degree in communication, spent the 2023-24 academic year as an ETA in South Korea. She credits her time as a Korean tutor for lighting a spark.

"That developed a passion for helping with language learning," said Thompson, who now works as a Financial Aid counselor at UNG.

For Charlotte Sims, a 2024 graduate who is in the middle of her Fulbright year, her time as an ETA has taken her from wedding planning and venue management to teaching 200 middle school boys English halfway across the world.

"I've really been able to push myself. I'm way out of my comfort zone," said Sims, a Cleveland, Georgia, native who earned a degree in management. "It's been a good experience to learn through it all."

Daniel is grateful to play a supportive role in UNG's Fulbright ecosystem.

"I have often watched these students grow from complete beginners in Korean language classes into confident young professionals representing both our institution and the United States abroad. Seeing them thrive in South Korea, build meaningful cross-cultural relationships and contribute to Korean classrooms as Fulbright ETAs is one of the most fulfilling parts of my work as an educator," Daniel said. "What makes it especially meaningful is that many of these students initially doubted whether they were qualified enough to apply. Being able to encourage them, support their growth and later see them succeed internationally is very gratifying."

Lin is also glad to assist these alumni in chasing ambitious goals.

"What's wonderful about our students is they're willing to take these chances," Lin said. "They work so hard to make it a reality."