News and Photos Shazwani Fatkurradzi
SINTOK, 20 August 2025: A Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) student has made the university and the nation proud after being awarded the prestigious Fulbright Global Undergraduate Exchange (UGRAD) Scholarship.
Ms. Shazwani Fatkurradzi, a Semester 5 student from the School of International Studies (SOIS), was among only five Malaysians selected for the fully funded program, which ran from January to May 2025. Each scholar was placed at a different U.S. institution, with Ms. Shazwani assigned to the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) in San Antonio, Texas.
“It was truly an honor to receive the Fulbright UGRAD scholarship and to represent Malaysia in this program. Studying and living in the U.S. gave me a new perspective on education, culture, and life itself,” she shared.
During her semester abroad, Ms. Shazwani enrolled in courses such as American Politics, Human Rights, and Middle Eastern History. She described the academic environment as both challenging and rewarding.
“Classes were highly engaging, and active participation counted toward grades. Punctuality was taken very seriously—even being late by a minute was unacceptable. It was a big adjustment, but it taught me discipline and respect for time,” she explained. Through debates, policy papers, and group projects, she further honed her critical thinking and teamwork skills.
Beyond academics, Ms. Shazwani immersed herself in cultural activities and built meaningful international friendships.
“I made friends from the U.S., Europe, Latin America, and Africa. We joined cultural events, volunteered at food banks, and enjoyed local traditions like rodeos. I also discovered a love for Tex-Mex food!” she shared. These experiences, she added, deepened her appreciation for cultural diversity and broadened her worldview.
Although adapting to life abroad came with challenges, Ms. Shazwani embraced them as opportunities for growth.
“At first, it was tough adjusting to new teaching styles, different food, and ways of communication. But over time, I became more adaptable, independent, and confident. I learned to step out of my comfort zone and communicate effectively with people from all backgrounds,” she reflected.
As a Fulbright scholar, she also took pride in promoting Malaysian culture to her peers.
“I shared about our food, traditions, and festivals such as Hari Raya Aidilfitri. I was proud to represent both UUM and Malaysia, and it was amazing to see others so interested in our culture,” she said.
Ms. Shazwani expressed hope that her achievement will inspire more UUM students to explore international opportunities.
“The Fulbright UGRAD experience showed me that the world is full of opportunities if we dare to take them. I hope more UUM students will step forward, apply, and make Malaysia proud on the global stage,” she concluded.
UUM students are encouraged to participate in the university’s mobility programs and, like Ms. Shazwani be bold enough to step out, explore the world, and represent UUM with pride. Applications are now open until 31 August 2025 for one-semester exchange opportunities in Spain, France, Finland, Turkey, South Korea, Japan, China, and Indonesia, with mobility scheduled for March 2026.
For further information, students may visit http://ciac.uum.edu.my or contact the Mobility Unit at the Centre for International Affairs and Cooperation (CIAC).
Students interested in applying for the Fulbright Global UGRAD Program may find more details on the Malaysian-American Commission on Educational Exchange (MACEE) website https://www.macee.org.my/awards-to-the-us/global-ugrad-exchange-program/
