Sophia Williams

As a Fulbright Scholar, Sophia will attend graduate school at the University of York to earn a master's degree in medical history and humanities so she can shed light on the often overlooked and misinterpreted human experience of those with disabilities throughout history. 

“I’m really excited to share my experiences and learn from other Deaf people in the UK and across the world. There’s going to be a language barrier, because folks in England do not use American Sign Language, but I’ve been learning British Sign Language on my own and I’m really eager to learn from others and be able to share cultures,” said Williams.

Sophia's medical history and humanities degree will help her draw upon the niche fields of medical anthropology and bioarchaeology, which seek answers to the questions of how medicine and culture influence one another, and how to interpret lives of the past based on cultural remains. By combining the two fields, a scholar is able to capture a more realistic picture of how society impacts public health, according to Sophia. Read more

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is a prestigious award that provides funding to study for a master’s degree, complete an independent research project, or teach English for up to a year outside the U.S. During their grant period, Fulbrighters meet, work, live with, and learn from the people of their host country.

RIT students or alumni interested in applying for a Fulbright fellowship should contact Jenny Sullivan (jenny.sullivan@rit.edu), Director of Education Abroad & International Fellowships.