Studying abroad can feel out of reach, especially when finances and the idea of being far from home are part of the equation. For Fulfillment Fund alum Jasmine Hernandez, those concerns were real, but they did not stop her from pursuing opportunities that ultimately shaped what she wanted post college.
After recently graduating from Amherst College, Jasmine is now preparing to spend a year in Spain as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant. From studying abroad in Madrid to finding financial support and pursuing a fully supported post-graduate opportunity overseas, Jasmine shares how asking questions, using the resources available to her, and taking a chance opened the door to an international experience she once was not sure would be possible.
Meet Jasmine
My name is Jasmine Hernandez. I recently graduated from Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts, where I double majored in Law, Jurisprudence, and Social Thought and Latinx/Latin American Studies. During my time at Amherst, I served as Junior Chair of the Native and Indigenous Student Association, volunteered at a nonprofit food pantry called the Survival Center, and worked as a Community Advisor supporting students on campus.
Outside of academics, I enjoy hiking, traveling to different countries, trying new foods, making bracelets, and cooking.
What Comes Next: A Year in Spain
I will be spending the upcoming year in Spain as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant. The Fulbright program places English Teaching Assistants in classrooms abroad to support local English teachers and help students develop their language skills. I was placed in Asturias, a region in northwestern Spain, and will be based primarily in Oviedo.
While in Oviedo, I will serve as an English Teaching Assistant at two schools, an elementary school and a middle school, where I will incorporate project-based and collaborative learning activities that encourage students to take an active role in their education. Outside of the classroom, I will be taking a language course, training for a marathon, and volunteering with Asturias Acoge, a nonprofit organization that supports immigrant rights. It is important to me to not only experience the community as a visitor, but to actively engage with it, contribute where I can, and give back to the communities that welcome me.
Discovering the Fulbright Program
I first learned about the Fulbright program through the Career and Exploration Center at Amherst College. I attended a session about post-graduate opportunities abroad, including academic and professional programs, and that was where I was introduced to Fulbright.
My interest in the program grew from my own experiences abroad. I studied abroad in Madrid in Fall 2024, and while taking classes and exploring Spain, I came to appreciate the country’s diversity in ways I had not previously imagined. I also became increasingly interested in international education after traveling to London on a school trip and seeing firsthand how different countries approach K–12 and higher education.
Fulbright stood out to me because it offered the opportunity to combine several of my interests: living in another country, learning about its culture and society, engaging with a local community, and working with students. I was especially drawn to the idea of returning to Spain with a deeper purpose, not simply as a visitor, but as someone who could contribute to the community while continuing to learn and grow myself. I see the Fulbright experience as an opportunity to improve my Spanish, share my knowledge of English with students, and build meaningful connections across cultures. Most importantly, I believe it is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact, even if that impact begins within one classroom or one community.
Finding Support Along the Way
Fulfillment Fund was an important source of support throughout my search for post-graduate opportunities. They encouraged me to explore a wide range of possibilities, from legal positions to international and educational opportunities, and helped me think more broadly about what I could pursue after college.
Through our semester check-ins, my Fulfillment Fund advisor regularly asked about my progress toward graduation and my plans for life after college. Having that consistent support made the process feel much more manageable and reminded me that I did not have to navigate it alone.
The Fulbright application process took about nine months, and throughout that time, I regularly checked in with Alekxandria. Those conversations gave me encouragement and helped me feel more confident about pursuing the opportunity. More importantly, Fulfillment Fund helped me recognize that, regardless of whether I was selected for Fulbright, I would be able to find a meaningful opportunity and continue building toward my goals. Their support gave me the confidence to take a chance on an international experience and pursue something that genuinely excited me.
Study Abroad is Financially Possible
When I first considered studying abroad, I worried that it might not be financially possible. I was unsure how my financial aid would apply to studying abroad and whether it would cover the full cost or only a portion of the expenses. Because of that uncertainty, I initially hesitated about spending a semester in Madrid in 2024. Thankfully, I decided to take the opportunity, and Fulfillment Fund played an important role in making it possible. Their semester scholarship helped bridge the financial gap between what Amherst College was able to cover and the remaining costs of studying abroad. Their support allowed me to experience Spain without having to let financial concerns prevent me from pursuing the opportunity.
When I later began looking for full-time opportunities abroad, I was also intentional about finding programs that offered financial support. Through my research, I discovered that Fulbright provides English Teaching Assistants with benefits such as a monthly stipend, health insurance, and support throughout the year. Knowing that these resources were built into the program made pursuing an international opportunity feel much more accessible and realistic for me.
What’s Ahead for Life in Asturias
I am most excited to immerse myself in the history, culture, and traditions of Asturias and learn more about what makes the region unique. I am particularly interested in its architecture and rich history, including its prehistoric heritage. Asturias is home to five prehistoric cave sites recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and I look forward to learning more about the history behind these places and the communities that have preserved them.
I am also excited to learn about the linguistic diversity of the region. In addition to Spanish, Asturias has its own language, Asturian (asturianu or bable), which does not have official status despite being spoken by many people in the region. I hope to better understand the history and cultural significance of Asturian and how language contributes to the identity of the community.
Another experience I am especially looking forward to is connecting with and learning from immigrant communities in Asturias. I plan to volunteer with Asturias Acoge, a nonprofit organization that supports immigrants, where I hope to participate in workshops and find meaningful ways to contribute. Being able to learn directly from community members and support their work is very important to me.
I also hope to accomplish something that has been on my bucket list for years: hiking the Camino de Santiago. The Camino, or Way of St. James, is a network of historic pilgrimage routes across Spain that lead to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. I am excited about the opportunity to experience this journey while also exploring the landscapes, towns, and communities along the way.
Most of all, I am excited to learn from my students and from my own experience as an educator. This will be my first position teaching students, and I look forward to getting to know them, understanding their experiences, and learning more about the Spanish education system. I hope to create opportunities for collaborative learning both inside and outside the classroom and to approach my time in Asturias with curiosity, openness, and a willingness to learn from others.
Advice to Students Considering Studying Abroad
My biggest piece of advice is to not let financial concerns or uncertainty convince you that studying or traveling abroad is out of reach. Studying abroad during college was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I learned so much from my professors and fellow students, took a graduate-level course on migration in Spain, traveled to different countries, and finally saw works of art that I had been hoping to see for years. The experience opened my eyes to how much there is to learn, explore, and experience in the world, and it ultimately inspired me to pursue an opportunity abroad after graduation, whether through graduate school or work.
There are many resources available to help make an international experience possible. I encourage students to start by talking with their financial aid office and scheduling an appointment to understand exactly how their financial aid can be applied to studying abroad. Meet with your Fulfillment Fund advisor, research and apply for scholarships, and do not be afraid to ask questions about financial support. There may be more resources available to you than you realize.
If your concern is being far from home, I would also encourage you to take that leap. It can feel intimidating at first, but you will find ways to create a home wherever you are. You will meet new people, become part of different communities, experience new cultures and cuisines, and discover places you may never have imagined visiting. With planning, organization, and communication, studying or traveling abroad can be possible.
Opportunities Can Be Closer Than They Seem
Jasmine’s journey shows that studying abroad and pursuing an international opportunity after graduation do not have to be limited by where you come from or how much money you have available. Financial aid, scholarships, funded programs, college resources, and organizations like Fulfillment Fund can all help make opportunities that once seemed out of reach feel possible.
For students considering studying abroad, Jasmine’s experience is also a reminder to ask questions before counting yourself out. Explore what is available, talk with your advisors, learn what financial support exists, and give yourself the chance to pursue an opportunity that could change what you imagine for your future.