Alumni Spotlight: Olivia Olson '19, Fulbright Awardee

Shorecrest is delighted to congratulate Olivia Olson ‘19 on being awarded a prestigious Fulbright Program grant, which offers funding for college graduating seniors and recent alumni to undertake independent research projects, graduate study, or English-language teaching positions within classrooms around the world. The Fulbright Program facilitates cultural exchange through direct interaction on an individual basis in the classroom, field, home, and in routine tasks, allowing the grantee to gain an appreciation of others’ viewpoints and beliefs.

Olivia, an alumna of the Shorecrest Class of 2019, graduated from the College of William & Mary Class of 2023 with a double major in International Relations and Anthropology. She has been living in London working towards a master’s degree in international relations at the London School of Economics (LSE). Olivia spent the summer of 2024 finalizing her dissertation while traveling around Europe and Asia.

“A highlight of my summer was traveling with a delegation from LSE’s Grimshaw Club for International Relations to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia,” Olivia shared. “We met with several organizations and learned about democratic resilience and Mongolia’s foreign policy.”

Soon Olivia will move on to be an English Teaching Assistant for college students in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a location she selected as part of the Fulbright Program.

Being awarded a grant is a reflection of Olivia’s leadership and contributions to society. By living and learning together with people from different countries, Olivia hopes to shape a more positive vision for our communities and our world. 

This is not Olivia's first cultural program. Olivia was a St. Petersburg Student Ambassador to Takamatsu, Japan in 2018, the summer before her senior year at Shorecrest.

REWIND - Olivia Olson '19 discusses meaningful travel during Service Week in this 2018 video:

Flickr album: Olivia Olson '19 | Height: auto | Theme: Default | Skin: Default Skin

Olivia was a Shorecrest Lifer who attended Shorecrest from junior kindergarten through twelfth grade. She graduated with a Global Scholars Initiative (GSI) endorsement on her diploma. In a recent interview she expressed how Shorecrest made a lasting impact on her:

“I had to reflect a lot on my education for my Fulbright application; and I am so grateful for all the amazing educators at Shorecrest! I am particularly grateful for the incorporation of creative and project-based learning throughout my time there. Whether I was writing short plays about historical events for National History Day, editing videos on iMovie in sixth grade science, or creating my capstone Global Scholars Initiative project senior year, my time at Shorecrest was filled with project-based learning. This provided me with the important skill of tackling problems from innovative angles, which has been critical to my personal development. I am so glad that my teachers at Shorecrest gave me the space to be creative and dream big!” 

Olivia looks forward to incorporating some of the same creative learning techniques into her teaching. 

Along with the classroom, many of Olivia’s favorite memories at Shorecrest took place in the Janet Root Theatre. “So many laughs and great times were shared with my fellow members of [Thespian] Troupe 3140! A particularly great memory was when I opened my acceptance letter to William & Mary during a rehearsal, and the entire Troupe gave me a hug!” 

Olivia’s advice for current Chargers is to explore all of their interests. “I am certain if I did not have the chance to explore my interest in international affairs during my time at Shorecrest, I would not have ended up studying it!” 

She also encourages students not to be afraid to take risks, as you never know where they may take you.

“I can trace the foundations of my proudest accomplishments today to activities or experiences I had at Shorecrest.”

Olivia is one of many Alumni Chargers with a wonderful story to share. Alumni Spotlights reflect Chargers in all phases of their lives and careers after Shorecrest. If you have an Alumni Charger story to share, please contact Olivia Segalman at [email protected].