Kimberly Sanchez’s (’07, MA ’09) first exposure to Chinese culture was through a study abroad trip during her senior year at Loyola Marymount University.  Now, as a recipient of a 2009 Fulbright grant, the alumna will teach English in Taiwan for the coming school year.

“I’m very excited for this opportunity. [Taiwan] has such a rich culture that has existed for centuries, and I’m interested in learning more about the Taiwanese educational system,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez will co-teach with a Taiwanese teacher in Yilan County in northeast Taiwan. Fulbright scholarships include several international exchange programs that allow U.S. graduating college seniors, graduate students, young professionals and artists to study abroad for an academic year.

Sanchez earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and recently graduated from LMU’s PLACE Corps, a program that allows students to earn a master’s degree and teaching credentials while teaching full time in under-resourced Catholic schools of the Los Angeles Archdiocese.  She credits her overall experience at LMU with providing the opportunity to discover her passions.  

“LMU is a strong advocate for equal access to education. As an undergraduate and graduate student, I was provided with many service opportunities that helped me understand more about social justice,” Sanchez said. “Now, I am ready to put my education into action.”