Hall earns Fulbright grant to Macau

(June 3, 2011) MACAU, China - Chelsey Hall, of Brooks, is the seventh McConnell Scholar to earn a Fulbright grant.
Hall earns Fulbright grant to Macau

Chelsey Hall, in China (2010)

Chelsey Hall, a 2011 McConnell Scholar graduate from the University of Louisville,  has recently been awarded a Fulbright grant to teach English at a university in Macau. She will depart for the eastern Chinese territory in August.

"It's a great opportunity to expand my own knowledge and experiences, while, at the same time, help others," Hall said. "Knowing that I can help students open new doors and find new opportunities through English will be very fulfilling."

The Bullitt County native said she pursued the international assistantship because of her month-long study abroad as a McConnell Scholar in 2010.

"I tell people I've been bitten by the international bug and that living in China sparked my desire to travel to Vietnam this past winter on a service trip. These experiences opened up the world to me, and I want to keep exploring," Hall said.

After her travels to China, Hall enrolled in Chinese language courses at UofL. "I'm still learning, but I know the immersion will help my language skills immeasurably," she said.

Hall said she looks forward to spending a year abroad. "I guess a part of my heart belongs in Asia. I love their culture and excitement for life and learning," she said.

Hall earned a B.S. degree in economics, with minors in marketing and political science, from UofL this spring. A top student, she earned summa cum laude honors, won the Carl Abner Award for Most Outstanding Senior in Economics from the College of Business and the John Mead Prize for the best senior economics paper.

Hall was also accepted to the Beta Gamma Sigma international honor society, the highest recognition for undergraduate business students.

"Chelsey has been an outstanding McConnell Scholar and is more than deserving of the honor of being name a Fulbright Scholar," said Dr. Gary Gregg, director of the McConnell Center. "More importantly, the young people of Macau are lucky to have such a talented and extraordinary young lady help them learn English over the next year."

Hall returns from Macau June 2012. She said she will likely pursue a law or MBA program upon her return.

Hall is the seventh McConnell Scholar to be awarded a Fulbright grant.