Jennifer Gil, a Puerto Rican environmental scientist is one of the 2018-2019 Fulbright-National Geographic Digital Storytelling Fellows. She will travel to Panama to collect microalgae samples, documenting her findings for the world in both Spanish and English through blogging, microscopic pictures and video. Jennifer studied interdisciplinary science at the University of Puerto Rico and recently completed her master’s in environmental science at Florida International University.

This is the fifth group of five Fulbright-National Geographic Storytellers selected from a highly competitive, merit-based, multi-tiered global competition.

The Fulbright-National Geographic Digital Storytelling Fellowship is a partnership between the U.S. Department of State and the National Geographic Society, which provides a unique platform for U.S. Fulbrighters to undertake an in-depth exploration of globally relevant issues and use a variety of digital storytelling tools and media, including blogs, photography, video and social media, to share their stories by providing content to National Geographic digital platforms with the support and mentorship of National Geographic staff. These storytelling tools are a powerful resource in building lasting ties across cultures.

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Since its inception in 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided more than 380,000 participants — chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential — with the opportunity to exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns.

The Fulbright-National Geographic Storytelling Fellowship was launched in 2013 as a new component of the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. It sends U.S. citizens abroad to engage in an academic year of digital storytelling projects in up to three countries on globally significant themes. This Fellowship is made possible through a partnership between the U.S. Department of State and the National Geographic Society.