Stories

Armand Aibara ’21, a double major in political science and German, will be an English Teaching Assistant in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, Germany, next fall. He’s had an excellent role model in mom Bindi, an elementary school teacher in Santa Clara, where he was raised.

Aibara traveled extensively as a child because his father, Farokh, is a pilot based in Doha, the capital of Qatar. That taught him the value of being a positive international ambassador in countries like Germany, India, Italy, Qatar, and the UK.

“I’ve always been drawn to the notion of international collaboration and representing the United States as a cultural ambassador,” said Aibara, whose sister Sasha Aibara is a Bronco, Class of 2022. “It’s especially important in this day and age, when there’s this notion that democratic ideals in the U.S. aren’t always fully realized.”

At SCU he participated in the political science honors program, served as a peer advisor, and studied in Freiburg, Germany, which he calls the most impactful experience of his academic career. He said his German major, through the Modern Languages and Literatures department, is a great springboard for the sort of foreign service work he hopes to make his profession someday.

“Languages are a great and tangible way to build a bridge with another community,” he said.

As an English Teaching Assistant Fulbright, his work will focus on serving diverse students who have immigrated to Germany, teaching them English and sharing American language, culture, and values.

“I think democracy is worth talking about,” he said. “Sure, it doesn’t work all the time, but the American example is strong because of our community and our history as a nation of overcoming obstacles, including challenges to government and democratic values.”

About the Fulbright Program
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. The primary source of funding for the Fulbright Program is an annual appropriation made by the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations, and foundations in foreign countries and in the United States also provide direct and indirect support. Recipients of Fulbright grants are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields. The program operates in more than 155 countries worldwide. For further information please visit https://us.fulbrightonline.org/.