Dzemila Bilanovic

Dzemila Bilanovic has earned a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant grant to teach students in Germany.

The U.S. Student Fulbright Program, a federally sponsored international, educational and cultural exchange, recognizes academic merit and leadership potential. The program promotes mutual understanding between U.S. residents and people in more than 155 countries worldwide. Fulbrights are among the most prestigious awards in higher education.

“Receiving a Fulbright award would be the greatest honor of my life thus far. And I would owe it all to my teachers, mentors and my parents. My parents are the driving force behind my life’s goal of becoming an immigration lawyer. I am the child of refugees. I am an immigrant. I carry with me a burden, much like other immigrant children, to succeed. I don’t take that task lightly. The Fulbright would simply mean the world to me.”

Collegiate experience

• Areas of study:

  • Graduated in May 2016 from the College of Arts and Sciences with a major in anthropology.

• Additional Awards

  • 2016 Critical Languages Scholar

Inspired By

“Dr. Julie Peteet was the first person to suggest to me that I apply for a Fulbright. Her guidance was immeasurable during my time at UofL. Additionally, Dr. Peteet was my thesis advisor and worked tirelessly with me until its completion. Dr. Lisa Markowitz was another mentor from the anthropology department. She introduced me to anthropology and was a constant source of support throughout my time at UofL and my two months abroad in Guatemala. I owe a lot to these incredible women who continue to inspire me.”

Hometown information

• Hometown:

  Louisville, Kentucky

• High school:

  duPont Manual High School

• Parents:

  Mirsada and Sead Bilanovic of Louisville, Kentucky