“While studying math at the University of Utah, I also participated in math ecology undergraduate research. That experience shaped the direction I want to take in graduate school. Thanks to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, I am applying to earn a M.S. in mathematics with a specialization in biomathematics and biostatistics at the Technical University of Munich in Germany.

The Office for Nationally Competitive Scholarships provided me with essential support through the Fulbright application process. In addition to revising my essays, the staff helped me identify what I wanted to study and which program would make the most sense.

I chose Germany because my dad speaks German. I learned it in high school, and I’d visited before and really liked the area. The Technical University of Munich is appealing because they have a math bio group that studies math ecology, epidemiology and the social sciences, and the interactions between those areas. It would give me a chance to explore more deeply before deciding which direction to take for my Ph.D.

The program is fast-paced and exam-based, and I like that kind of challenge. Some classes that are standard for students in Germany aren’t always offered in the U.S., and I think taking those would be really exciting and helpful for my future. Another challenge will be the transition to living abroad and using a language I haven’t studied in several years.

Outside the classroom, I’m looking forward to the Englischer Garten, which is a really, really beautiful park. I visited Munich with my dad for my senior trip and really liked the area. I’m also excited about the culture. I feel like in America, we kind of talk around things a lot. My experience with German friends is that they’re much more direct. That’s something I genuinely appreciate.”

— Lucy Jo Leary, Class of 2026, Honors B.S. in Mathematics, College of Science, from  Logan, Utah