Four UC Irvine students have been awarded highly coveted Fulbright grants to study abroad. Two will conduct public health research in Jordan; it's the first time UC Irvine students have been placed in that country.

Sponsored by the State Department, Fulbright is the largest international exchange program in the U.S. It funds one year of graduate study, research or teaching in more than 155 countries. Congress established the program after World War II to promote global understanding.

"We congratulate our Fulbright Scholars upon winning these prestigious awards," said Sharon Salinger, dean of undergraduate education. "Their achievements highlight their talent and dedication, while their projects underscore their values. We're extremely proud of them and delighted that they're international ambassadors for UCI."

The grant recipients are:

Soraya Azzawi '13, who has a double major in neurobiology and political science, will undertake public health research and explore psychosocial health conditions among Iraqi refugees in Jordan. She was also awarded UC Irvine's 2012-13 XIV Dalai Lama Endowed Scholarship.

Felipe Hernandez '13, who has a double major in music performance and political science, will teach English in Colombia. He won a Harry S. Truman Scholarship in 2012.

Armaan Rowther '13, a biological sciences major with a minor in public health policy, will evaluate the effectiveness of merging a computer-aided diabetes education program with existing diabetes testing services for Palestinian refugees in Jordan. He received UC Irvine's 2011-12 XIV Dalai Lama Endowed Scholarship.

Christine Thrasher '12, an alumna in global cultures and German studies with a minor in civic & community engagement, will teach high school English in Germany.

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Parents often worry about which majors provide the best life paths for their children. While no one major guarantees success, work by Assistant Professor Richard Pitt and Associate Professor Steven Tepper at Vanderbilt University has lessened some of the fears linked to double majoring. The researchers found that students with double majors reported higher college grades, greater involvement in student clubs and campus activities, and better creative thinking skills than their peers in single majors.* In addition to earning more college credits and working more frequently with faculty, double majors thought that they integrated learning more easily across perspectives, and prepared more competitively for careers.

Interest in multiple majors is a growing trend at this campus as well. The number of undergraduates who enrolled in two or more majors rose by 25% at UC Irvine from 995 students in 2007 to 1,245 in fall 2012. 

So, what's the best advice for Anteaters with dual major dreams? The key word may be planning. 

Our campus insiders offer their sage advice. 

"Students understandably aim to graduate in four years, so they may not consider double majors. However, those who do can map out schedules early with their academic advisors to complete their degrees on time," said Dean of Undergraduate Education Sharon Salinger, Ph.D. "A double major allows students to take fuller advantage of what this great university has to offer, and it provides them with more enriching academic experiences."

"While double majoring certainly extends the workload that students must manage, this broader course of study usually pays great dividends in the graduate studies and professional careers to come," said Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Thomas Parham, Ph.D. "In supporting the academic mission, our extensive programs, resources and services in Student Affairs offer students the support and the critical skills they will need for wellness and balance to help them achieve academically."

The future looks bright for Anteater double majors, and we wouldn't expect anything less!