¡Hola! My name is Jelani Cotton, and I am a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant spending this year in Gijón, Spain. I grew up in South Bend, Indiana, and as a first-generation college student, I entered college without a clear idea of what I wanted to do. Along the way, I discovered a passion for working with young people, storytelling, and exploring the world beyond what I knew.
At Holy Cross College, I studied Business with minors in Spanish and Marketing. I founded and served as president of the college’s Drama Club and participated in various extracurriculars. I also volunteered and worked as a mentor for students in my community, which allowed me to connect my education with my passion for service. One experience that had the greatest impact on me was studying abroad in Rome, Italy. Living abroad for the first time challenged me to see the world differently and sparked a desire to keep learning from people and cultures beyond my own.
After returning from Italy, I knew I wanted to live abroad in Spain to deepen my Spanish, explore more of Europe, and broaden my global perspective. I was fortunate to become the first student in Holy Cross College’s history to receive a Fulbright award, bringing me to Spain to teach English and engage with the local community.
Now, I am excited to explore Asturias, improve my Spanish, live with locals, learn from my students and community, and experience all that Spain has to offer. I hope you’ll follow along as I share the people I meet, places I discover, and lessons I learn throughout this incredible journey!
Want to learn how you could be a Fulbright Scholar like me? The Fulbright Program is the United States government's flagship international exchange program. Fulbrighters foster mutual understanding between the United States and partner nations, share knowledge across communities, and improve lives around the world. Learn more by clicking here!
