While she was growing up in Manhattan, Alina Scalora was taught to appreciate and protect the tall grass prairies around her home. Now, Scalora, a recent graduate, is preparing to study the grasslands in China on a Fulbright Scholarship.

“I started applying for it in early August last year,” she said. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and it’s been a really long process waiting to hear back.”

Scalora is one of eight KU students who received the prestigious award last week. The Fulbright Program is an international exchange program and grant offered through the U.S. government. According to its website, its goal is to “increase mutual understanding between the people of the U.S. and the people of other countries.” Students are chosen based on their academic performances, references and research project proposals.

Scalora said she had to turn in three letters of reference, a two-page research proposal and a personal statement to apply for the program.

“Everyone applying was capable and intelligent,” she said. “I don’t think I could have gotten it without all the support from people at KU.”

Assistant Vice Provost at the Office of International Programs Hodgie Bricke worked with the students, including Scalora, on their Fullbright applications. She said this year was a good year for the amount of students who were awarded the grant.

“Some years have been more or have been less,” she said.

Since the program was initiated in 1946, 421 KU students, including this year’s recipients, have taken part in the Fullbright Program.

Scalora said between 70 and 80 people in the country received a Fullbright scholarship to China.

Bricke said this year’s scholars were diverse because both recent graduates and graduate school students were chosen.

Scalora’s program starts on September 2 and will last 10 months. She will study there and work on her proposed research project — about grassland restoration policies and water availability in China, which is something she wants to pursue in graduate school when she returns.

“With me, I have a huge interest in China and policies in China,” she said.

Scalora said her family had been supportive of her leaving for almost a year and that her friends were also excited for her.

“It’s a big accomplishment,” she said.