Recent graduates from the University of Michigan, Hannah Feng and Genevieve Welch, are currently engaged in their nine-month Fulbright Program in Canada and Hungary.
Feng is spearheading a groundbreaking study on youth mental well-being in partnership with the Vancouver Island Counseling Centre for Immigrants and Refugees and the University of Victoria located in British Columbia. Welch is enrolled in a part-time nondegree course in choral conducting at the prestigious Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music in Budapest.
Their initiatives underscore the powerful influence of mental health advocacy and music in transcending cultural barriers and addressing urgent societal challenges.
Feng and Welch are part of 12 University of Michigan-Ann Arbor students who have received Fulbright grants for the academic year 2024-25, along with 10 faculty scholars from the Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint campuses who will undertake research overseas for a duration of up to 12 months.
“We feel genuinely honored and thrilled to acknowledge the remarkable achievements of U-M’s exceptional Fulbright students and faculty scholars,” stated U-M President Santa J. Ono. “Through their unyielding excellence and brilliance, along with their enduring commitment to service, leadership, and transformative education, they reaffirm why the Fulbright awards are considered some of the highest honors in academia.”
The Fulbright Program serves as the leading international academic exchange initiative of the U.S. government. Since its establishment in 1946, the Fulbright Program has afforded over 400,000 individuals, including students, scholars, educators, artists, and professionals from diverse backgrounds, the chance to study, teach, and conduct research worldwide. Fulbright participants exchange ideas, cultivate interpersonal connections, and strive to address intricate global issues.
The University of Michigan has obtained more than 600 U.S. scholar awards and over 1,000 U.S. student honors since the initiation of the Fulbright Program, as reported by the International Institute Fellowships & Grants Office.
Combating mental health stigma
Feng’s investigation focuses on a peer mental health ambassador initiative designed to alleviate stigma and enhance help-seeking behaviors among immigrant and refugee youth in Canada.
As global migration rises, newcomer youth often encounter trauma, cultural adjustment, and discrimination. Feng’s exploration examines how peer support nurtures resilience, diminishes isolation, and encourages conversations about mental health in diverse communities. By monitoring participants over an extended duration, her results will contribute to the development of sustainable mental health solutions for immigrant and refugee populations.
“Mental health stigma poses one of the most significant obstacles preventing newcomer youth from accessing the support they require,” remarked Feng, a 2024 U-M graduate in international studies and psychology. “Through this investigation, I aspire to illustrate how peer-led strategies can effect meaningful transformations in their lives and influence policies that emphasize mental well-being.”
Feng’s research builds upon her prior studies in immigration psychology and mental health advocacy. Her partnership with the Vancouver Island Counseling Centre for Immigrants and Refugees and the University of Victoria will guarantee that the study is effectively designed and empirically substantiated. After the Fulbright tenure, VICCIR intends to sustain and broaden the youth ambassador initiative, with the prospect of nationwide implementation.
“My ambition is to become a mental health practitioner, researcher, and advocate for enhancing mental health accessibility and increasing minority representation within psychology,” Feng stated. “I hope my Fulbright experience lays a solid groundwork in my community-based participatory research proficiencies, hones my clinical skills, and enables me to evolve into a more insightful and socially conscious mental health practitioner in the future.
“I also aspire to act as a cultural envoy of the U.S. during a time when cultural exchange, fostering goodwill, and nurturing mutual understanding are paramount.”
Enhancing choral conducting
With a profound regard for Hungary’s vast musical legacy, Welch seeks to immerse herself in the nation’s choral customs and enhance her conducting abilities under the mentorship of prominent faculty members.
Welch earned her master’s degree in choral conducting from U-M in 2024 and graduated summa cum laude from Wellesley College. She possesses extensive experience directing and performing in various ensembles, ranging from children’s choirs to professional opera productions.
While residing in Budapest, she partakes in rigorous academic pursuits, attending high-caliber performances and collaborating with Hungarian musicians to deepen her understanding of the Kodály method and other impactful educational traditions.
“In addition to studying choral conducting, I am investigating the local choral landscape and its history by participating in community ensembles and enrolling in folk singing workshops,” Welch remarked. “The profound musical heritage, iconic composers, and top-tier educational institutions of Hungary make it the perfect setting for me to hone my skills as a choral conductor.”
Her investigation will result in a scholarly article or presentation to disseminate her findings to wider academic and musical audiences.
“I am convinced that music serves as a direct reflection of its creators—their unique traits and narratives are integrated into the melodies and beats,” she stated. “The belief that music acts as a unifying force underpins my artistic journey and draws me towards choral music. Through musical expression, we narrate tales, articulate our identities, and forge connections with individuals we might never have encountered. I am privileged to have the chance to study in a culture where music and teaching are intricately woven into the social fabric.”
Tackling climate and energy issues
Omolade Adunbi, a professor of anthropology and Afroamerican and African studies, is among the U-M scholars who have received Fulbright scholarships. He is currently on sabbatical from his position as the director of the African Studies Center while undertaking his Fulbright assignment at the Department of Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria.
His investigation centers on energy and climate change within Nigeria, analyzing the convergence of technology, social media, environmental activism, infrastructure development, and China’s influence in the area.
“Ibadan boasts the oldest anthropology department in Nigeria, and witnessing the students’ passion for the field inspires me to believe that anthropology, despite its colonial history in Africa, holds significant promise ahead,” Adunbi expressed. “My research on climate change has been enlightening, exposing the harsh consequences of changing weather patterns on agriculture and communities. Nevertheless, I am uplifted by the resilience of the inhabitants and their commitment to tackling climate change.”