Fullbright Award Recipient Case Nafziger '12 Will Teach In South Korea

DePauw University senior Case M. Nafziger will spend the upcoming academic year in South Korea teaching English as a result of being awarded an English Teaching Assistant grant through the 2012-13 Fulbright U.S. Student Program competition.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and established in 1946, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program competition aims to increase mutual understanding among nations through educational and cultural exchange while serving as a catalyst for long-term leadership development.

“As a student at DePauw, I have had the privilege of traveling to two continents, taking courses in numerous disciplines, and studying alongside students from across the globe,” Nafziger wrote in his Fulbright application. “My dual degrees in English writing and vocal performance have prepared me to look at the world through a creative lens.”

The senior notes, “My interest in going to Korea began in March 2011, when a branch of the South Korean government announced its focus on providing increased arts education through orchestra programs at low-income schools, in an effort to bridge cultural gaps and provide balanced and creative social development for the nation’s children. This initiative surprised me, as many modern economies have cut such funding. But Korea historically places great value in the arts, as seen in 1962, when traditional Korean folk music gained legal support as an ‘Intangible Cultural Asset.’ While the United States is a melting pot of cultural traditions, Korea’s population is more grounded in a collective history, which I hope will inspire and influence my music career upon return to the United States.”

Nafziger, whose parents are both teachers, states, “Debate over educational policy has caused me to think critically about what and how I learn, and to appreciate the educational experiences I have been fortunate to acquire. Most importantly, my parents and teachers have instilled in me the conviction that education plays an urgent role in the development of children, communities, and nations. When coupled with my desire to teach, I believe that my artistic interests can indeed promote peace.”

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