The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is a federal grant program that allows American students to study, conduct research, or enroll in graduate programs in over 140 countries worldwide. The U.S. Student Fulbright Grant provides opportunities for students to create their own research or study project and carry it out in a foreign country for 9-12 months. Projects are designed by the applicant, who receives guidance from advisors at universities or other institutes of higher education in the host country.
Lily Mott is a US-UK Fulbright Scholar pursuing an MA in Digital Media and Society at Cardiff University in Wales. A multimedia journalist who hails from Colorado and obtained her B.A. in Virginia, Lily joined us to discuss how she is using her Fulbright experience to pave the way for her future career.
As a US-UK Fulbright Scholar at Cardiff University, can you describe a day in your life as a Fulbright Scholar?
While it is a bit cliche, every day is different for me as a Fulbright Scholar at Cardiff University. I am in the MA in Digital Media and Society course at Cardiff University’s School of Journalism, Media, and Culture, so most weekdays revolve around attending my lectures or seminars. This term, I am enrolled in three modules: Understanding Digital Media, Putting Research into Practice, and Debates and Concepts in Media and Communications. I attend weekly lectures and biweekly seminars for each module, in which I discuss content with my coursemates.
Each Wednesday, I host my live weekly show on Xpress Radio called “Be the Change: On Air,” featuring young people making changes in Cardiff and around Wales. I also publish weekly episodes of my podcast “Be the Change” every Wednesday. I am also a reporter for Cardiff University’s student-run newspaper, Gair Rhydd.
Why did you choose to study in Wales?
My favorite part of being back in the UK as a Fulbright Scholar has been exploring the country on the weekends. When I was a sophomore at Washington and Lee University, I applied and was accepted to the Mansfield College Visiting Student Programme, which allowed me to study politics at the University of Oxford for my whole junior year. At Oxford, I met many inspiring people, had engaging conversations with my professors, and experienced British culture for the first time. When I came back to the U.S. for my senior year, I wanted to find a way to get back to the UK while also pursuing a graduate degree in media and journalism. So, when I learned about the US-UK Fulbright scholarships, I was excited to apply.
So far, I’ve had the opportunity to visit London, Bristol, Cambridge, Bath, Edinburgh, and a few other parts of the UK, and am excited to continue exploring the country. As an international student, immersing myself in British culture has been a privilege. I would encourage anyone interested in studying abroad and/or applying for the Fulbright to go for it!
How has your Fulbright experience been so far?
I will start this answer with a little disclaimer. I have only been in Cardiff for about two months, and I am sure there will be so many more opportunities and adventures to come throughout the year! However, I think my Fulbright experience so far has affirmed my interest in pursuing a career in international journalism to bridge divisions between people. In her recent article for Times Higher Education, US-UK Fulbright Commission Executive Director Maria Balinska said, “The Fulbright mission to foster empathy and dialogue is as urgent as ever,” and I couldn’t agree more. By sending American students to the UK and sending British students to the US, the US-UK Fulbright Commission encourages Fulbright Scholars to learn about their host country while also serving as diplomats for their home country. I am looking forward to learning more about British culture, politics, history, and more throughout the rest of my year in Cardiff.
In addition to your academic work, you are also a multimedia journalist and podcaster. What drew you to journalism, and how does it align with your scholarly pursuits?
As the daughter of two public school teachers, I’ve always been passionate about public service and education. When I traveled to Peru during high school to film a documentary about the lives of young women attending university in Cusco, I realized the importance of amplifying voices that would otherwise go unheard.
I attended Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, with the intention of studying journalism and politics, but my real initiation into journalism was during the summer after my freshman year of college.
On June 1, 2020, I finished up my workday as a press intern at Congressman Joe Neguse’s office in Washington, DC, and took off running down Independence Avenue. I reached Lafayette Square Park and pulled out my phone to record the Black Lives Matter protest unfolding before me. I spent the next seven hours at the protest, at one point being tear-gassed and fired on by police with rubber bullets. After I got back to my apartment at 1 am, I decided to record my experience on my phone as an audio note. The next day, I published that note as the first episode in what has since turned into a weekly podcast called “Be the Change.”
While I used this first episode of my podcast to recount my experience and educate my friends and family about what was happening at the protests they’d seen on the news, the podcast quickly evolved to feature the stories of young activists, changemakers, and advocates around the world who are leading movements toward change.
Now, more than three years later, I’ve published over 170 episodes featuring over 170 guests from 25 countries. Guests on the podcast have discussed various issues, from local political controversies to international crises like climate change and mental health awareness.
At Cardiff University, I am studying how the complex intersections between media, politics, and globalization are shaping society, public opinion, and political agendas around the world. This course is helping me to understand how to more effectively engage with media as a consumer, as well as communicate news, amplify voices, share stories, and educate audiences as a journalist.
What are your plans following your Fulbright study at Cardiff University?
After my year at Cardiff University, I am hoping to pursue a career in international journalism. Multimedia journalism, social media, and other emerging forms of media are being used to expose corruption, raise awareness, and accelerate globalization, thereby influencing every modern social and political movement. As a journalist, I hope to bridge divisions between people worldwide and educate audiences about issues affecting their families, communities, countries, and the planet.
And finally, what advice would you give to aspiring Fulbright Scholars?
I advise aspiring Fulbright Scholars to reach out to the current Fulbright Scholar in the position now. I have met so many inspiring Fulbright Scholars in my cohort so far, and I know that many of them would be excited to hear from you, especially if you’re hoping to attend their university or live in their host country. So, if any aspiring Fulbright Scholars are reading this, do some research on current and past Fulbright Scholars, hop on LinkedIn, send them a message, and introduce yourself. I am also always excited to connect with people and will definitely answer any questions you have about the Fulbright application process, so don’t hesitate to reach out to me, too!
Interested in applying to Fulbright this cycle? Be sure to check out our collection of resources and statistics from the previous year’s cycle!
Originally from Evergreen, Colorado, Lily graduated from Washington and Lee University as a Johnson Scholar with a B.A. in Journalism and Politics. She spent her junior year studying politics at the University of Oxford. Lily is a US-UK Fulbright Scholar at Cardiff University, pursuing an MA in Digital Media and Society. Lily is interested in the intersection between politics and the media and believes in the power that comes from sharing other people’s stories. She is the host of the weekly podcast “Be the Change,” on which she amplifies the voices of Gen-Z changemakers.
© 2024 ProFellow, LLC. All rights reserved.