Ian Gansler, SPA/BA ’17, left, and Matthew Waskiewicz, CAS/SPA/BA ’16

Ian Gansler, SPA/BA ’17, and Matthew Waskiewicz, CAS/SPA/BA ’16, will study in the United Kingdom this summer after receiving Fulbright Summer Institute awards.

Gansler, a Communications, Law, Economics and Government major, will spend four weeks at the University of Exeter as part of the Exeter Institute on Leadership and Sustainability. Waskiewicz, currently studying economics and political science, will spend six weeks in Wales at Cardiff, Bangor and Aberystwyth universities. He hopes “to explore the influence of Polish culture on Welsh society, as well as examine the economic and political effect of industry in the region.”

On receiving the place, Gansler said, “I was shocked when I found out that I was admitted to the Fulbright program, but now I couldn’t be more excited. I hope to represent the U.S. and American University as best I can as a student and an ambassador.”

Waskiewicz acknowledged support for the award. “I credit the rich learning environment and close-knit community of American University for my continued academic and personal success.”

Gansler, from Shrewsbury, Mass., is in the Honors Program. He is also a member of the Debate Society and is a founding member of the school’s Beta Theta Pi colony. Gansler has interned with Congressman James McGovern.

Waskiewicz, from Hadley, Mass., is also a member of AU’s Honors Program. He is also a resident assistant, in the jazz band and vice president of the Student Honors Board. Waskiewicz has interned in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate.

The US-UK Fulbright Commission is the only bilateral, transatlantic scholarship program offering awards and summer programs for study or research in any field, at any accredited university in the Unites States or United Kingdom. The commission is part of the Fulbright program conceived by Senator J William Fulbright in the aftermath of World War II to promote leadership, learning and empathy between nations through educational exchange.