The U.S. Department of State awarded Madelyn Swanson ’24 with a U.S. Fulbright Scholarship, one of the most prestigious postgraduate programs. As a Fulbright Scholar, Swanson will be offered unparalleled opportunities to pursue graduate study and conduct research abroad.
“I am beyond grateful to be selected and to represent Minnesota and Hamline University at the international level,” Swanson said. “It is an honor to join the Fulbright community, as well as further my studies and experience new cultures thanks to the U.S. Department of State. My time at Hamline made it possible to apply for a Fulbright, and I offer gratitude to each and every one of my professors, classmates, friends, teammates, coaches, Hamline staff and administrative staff who created an environment for me to grow.”
Swanson was named a 2024 Fulbright Alternate shortly before graduating from Hamline in May with a double major in public health sciences and environmental and climate studies, with a concentration on public policy. She spent the summer working an environmental health internship for Hennepin County, cautiously setting aside the hope of fulfilling her Fulbright proposal to study at Vrije University in Amsterdam.
“I didn't think it would be a reality that I would go after being named an alternate,” Swanson said. “I did my best to take my life step by step, so I graduated and started my internship at Hennepin County. Then, in late May, I was offered a finalist position and living expenses for a year in Amsterdam. I was a little later to the Fulbright program than my peers that were selected in March, but I am on track to meeting my fellow Fulbrighters in Amsterdam at the end of August.”
In Amsterdam, Swanson will pursue a masters degree at Vrije University in political science with a specialization in global governance, sustainability and climate change. Swanson was originally encouraged by her friend and classmate Mohamed Shukri to pursue the competitive scholarship, and was aided in the application process with letters of recommendation from Hamline professors Valentine Cadieux, Alina Oxendine and Kathryn Geurts, with additional support from Suda Ishida.
“The community and support I received and built during my four years at Hamline and from my family is a great honor, as is my selection as a Fulbright Scholar,” Swanson said. “I am grateful that I was considered as a finalist after my alternate status, and I thank the Fulbright Program for taking a chance on me.”
During her four years at Hamline, Swanson worked in the Student Activities Office as student organizations coordinator, was a member of Hamline University Student Congress for three years (starting as a student representative, then technology coordinator, and finally internal student body president), and a member of the women's lacrosse team for four years.
Swanson concluded her time at Hamline with numerous decorations, including the Pat Paterson Award, the William Cloon Award, Midwest Lacrosse Conference All Conference Honorable Mention, MLC All Sportsmanship Team and MLC Academic Team. She was also selected for the 2024 Student Cornerstone award through the student activities office.
In May, Swanson said her career goals were to work for the Environmental Protection Agency, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency or the Minnesota Department of Health. While the Fulbright program will open exciting new career opportunities, Swanson said she still maintains her core interests.
“I love working with people and our natural resources and I want to investigate the connections across these systems,” she said. “I'd like to believe that whether or not I got the Fulbright, I will be doing work that builds information and systems for a healthy and sustainable future for all. I am still hopeful to work in Minnesota down the road, but I can't pass up this opportunity to study abroad and get a Master's degree in a year. I am still taking things step by step, but the plan is to start my program studying political influences on water resources in early September.”
