My FLTA experience in Ohio has taught me a lot about myself as well as the world we live in. That was made possible by FuIbright believing in me and giving me the chance to immerse myself in a culture that’s very different from the Austrian one, in which I was constantly surrounded by people from a number of diverse personal and cultural backgrounds. I will forever be immensely grateful for this incredible opportunity to grow and broaden my horizon while also sharing my European, Austrian, and Carinthian culture with those around me. Thanks to this experience and my multicultural personal background, I will always continue to spread the Fulbright spirit in the world and stand up for what I believe in, which is that diversity is a massive chance and a necessity for a society and its members to thrive. May many more people get this life-changing opportunity!

Benjamin Fischer received a BA in transcultural communication from the University of Vienna. He was an Austrian foreign language teaching assistant in the 2018–19 academic year. Photos courtesy of Benjamin Fischer.