Doctoral student Andrew House talks about his personal Fulbright journey from Alabama to Finland, and his belief in the power of studying abroad to connect people and transform lives.
FULBRIGHT
Changes Lives Text LOUISA GAIRN Photo MARION SINCLAIR-WATERS
Andrew House Fulbright-EDUFI Fellowship 2017–2018, University of Helsinki
A first-generation college student from rural Ala-
couple of times before I moved to Finland, and I’m
bama, Andrew House is now a Fulbright alum and
the only one of my family that has ever lived abroad.
a doctoral candidate in Helsinki. He is passionate
It’s not really something that you do back where
about the benefits of studying abroad. “I think it
I’m from. People often move away for college for a
opens your mind, and it’s something more people
couple of years, but then move right back. I wanted
should do. It can be scary to leave your comfort
to see what else is out there, and I knew I definitely
zone, but once you get out into the world, you learn
wanted to pursue a PhD. Fulbright enabled me to
so much about yourself and what you’re capable of.”
actually move abroad, so it has already completely
Andrew sometimes doubted he would ever live
changed my life.” While his family took some time
outside the U.S. until he was awarded a Fulbright
to understand his decision to leave home, Andrew
scholarship to Finland in 2017. “I grew up on a farm
says they are now supportive and planning to visit
in a really small town in Alabama. I really wanted
him in Helsinki.
to live in another culture, but I’d only been abroad a
14 | www.fulbright.fi