Shana Khader Wins Fulbright Scholarship

May 5, 2006
Contact: Andy Faught

Shana Khader, a 2005 graduate of Occidental College, has been awarded a prestigious Fulbright Teaching Assistantship to teach English classes at a university in Argentina. Starting in March 2007, Khader, of Los Angeles, will spend nine months in the country, where she also will take linguistics courses.

“I deeply believe in the importance of cultural exchange and global understanding, which is the underlying mission of the Fulbright program,” said Khader, who earned a cognitive science degree at Occidental. “I am positive that my experience in Argentina will broaden my view of the world and my ability to interact cross-culturally. I plan to bring those experiences back with me to the United States to make me a more effective and sensitive advocate here. I can't think of a better way to spend a year. I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity, and excited to begin.”

Khader is a legal assistant for an immigration law firm in South Pasadena. She works almost exclusively with Spanish-speaking clients while supervising a small department. She is studying for the LSAT and plans to start law school when she returns from Argentina. Khader joins Occidental students Hailey Crowel ’06 of Lahaina, Hawaii, Becca Shellock ’06 of Whitehall, Pa., and Rachel Yamakawa ’06 of Honolulu in winning Fulbrights this year. Occidental students and alumni have amassed 12 Fulbrights since 2003.

The Fulbright program, which covers travel, education and living expenses, was established in 1946 under legislation introduced by Sen. J. William Fulbright of Arkansas.