Natalie Tarallo, a candidate for graduation on May 20 from Hamilton College, has been awarded a Fulbright grant to Mauritius. She will study ethnicity in youth political identity formation in Mauritius. Through observation, interviews and participation, she aims to discern and analyze the place of and role of ethnicity in Mauritian youth political identities as a model for other young multi-ethnic democracies. Tarallo will conduct research at the University of Mauritius, in secondary schools, community organizations, youth centers and the youth arms of political parties.
Tarallo, an African Studies major, is a member of Pentagon Honor Society. She is a Hamilton College volunteer coordinator for the Underground Cafe. She is a member of HAVOC and is its community liaison. Tarallo was a SHINE English literacy tutor and delegate to the Model European Union. She was also a Writing Center tutor for 2006-07.
Following her Fulbright travel she plans to attend law school, focusing on juvenile advocacy with an emphasis on civil rights law.
The purpose of the Fulbright Program is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries through the exchange of persons, knowledge and skills. The program is designed to give recent college graduates opportunities for personal development and international experience.
It offers invaluable opportunities to meet and work with people of the host country, sharing daily life as well as professional and creative insights. The program promotes cross-cultural interaction and mutual understanding on a person-to-person basis in an atmosphere of openness, academic integrity and intellectual freedom. The primary source of funding for the Fulbright Program is an annual appropriation made by Congress to the Department of State. The U.S. Student Program awards approximately 900 grants annually and currently operates in more than 140 countries worldwide.
