Chloe Lu, a rising sophomore and Stamps Eminence Scholar, has been selected to participate in Fulbright’s nationally competitive United Kingdom Summer Institute. These programs for first- and second-year undergraduates promote leadership, learning, and empathy between nations through funded 3-4 week educational exchanges at UK universities. Lu was selected for the institute based on her academic excellence, focused application, leadership, range of extracurricular and community activities, demonstrated ambassadorial skills, and a plan to give back to her Ohio communities upon returning.
Majoring in Architecture and double minoring in Business and City and Regional Planning, Lu is excited to take part in the UK Summer Institute “British Cultural Heritage” at the University of Birmingham. She will investigate how architecture, history, and arts intersect to shape identity and place.
Lu said, “I’m excited to meet the other Fulbrighters and connect with people from all over the world. As someone studying architecture and city planning, I’m eager to explore places like Ironbridge Gorge and the canals, places where design and history intersect in powerful ways.” She continued, “I want to understand how UK communities preserve their stories through built environments, and experience that firsthand through conversations, local food, and sketching the places I visit.”
As a future architect, Lu aims to design spaces that prioritize sustainability, cultural preservation, and social impact. In her free time, she enjoys dance, photography, and sketching. In high school, she was the founder of the Asian Multicultural Club and is eager to continue learning about and sharing cultural narratives in the UK.
The Undergraduate Fellowship Office supports students across Ohio State who are applying for nationally competitive fellowships such as the Fulbright United Kingdom Summer Institutes among other awards. Lu noted that the application process itself was impactful.
“Writing my UKSI application helped me slow down and really reflect on who I am,” she said. “I had to think deeply about my values, what drives me, and the experiences that have shaped my interests in architecture, sustainability, and community. It taught me how to express my story in a way that felt honest and purposeful.” She went on, stating, “I also realized how interconnected my identity, upbringing, and goals are; starting an Asian cultural club during COVID, and my passion for public spaces, all came together into a bigger picture. It reminded me that applying to programs like this isn’t just about listing achievements but about connecting past experiences to future aspirations.”
Undergraduate Fellowship Coordinator Louise Ling Edwards, who advised students on their Fulbright United Kingdom Summer Institute applications this year, said, “Chloe Lu was a joy to work with. She is a creative thinker and writer. In her application she used her passion for scrapbooking to talk about her various interests and goals for learning in the UK. I enjoy seeing how these applications allow students to reflect on many different
aspects of themselves.” Edwards further stated, “I can’t wait to hear about Chloe’s experiences in the UK and see the ways she will continue to serve as a cultural ambassador between the US and UK upon her return.”
Executive Director of the US-UK Fulbright Commission, Maria Balinska, stated, “Cultural exchange is a truly transformative experience, and I am excited to see this year’s UK Summer Institutes participants embark on this journey of immersing themselves in British academia and culture.” She continued, “I’m confident this experience will leave a lasting impression on both the participants and on those they meet and connect with during their time here.”
When Lu returns from the UK, her experience abroad will shape her future at Ohio State and beyond.