Shea Golob was awarded an English Teaching Assistant grant to Taiwan. Golob will graduate this semester with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a minor in Chinese studies. Like Bundy, Golob also works in the Writing Center on campus. Last summer, he undertook a language immersion program in Taiwan through the American Council, where he “fell in love” with the “magical island” and its people.
“My Fulbright fellowship represents a culmination of experiences, opportunities and chance encounters,” he said. “Boise State is fortunate enough to have an incredibly supportive faculty that have been exceedingly important in preparing me for the path that I am on.”
Golob, who comes from an agricultural background, intends to engage with local farmers within Taiwan’s indigenous communities to cultivate a better understanding of traditional farming practices. He also hopes to collaborate with local teachers to develop a center in his assigned city of Taitung. He already is assessing opportunities provided by the Taiwanese Ministry of Education to study Mandarin full time at a Taiwanese university for an additional year once the grant is finished.
Golob credits his passion for Eastern culture and history to Shelton Woods, a professor and interim associate dean in the Honors College, and his strong foundation in Mandarin to Sharon Wei, a Chinese lecturer in the Department of World Languages.
“I’m extremely grateful for these experiences and my course of study at Boise State, all of which has led me to the next chapter in my journey – in Taiwan no less,” he said.