South Brunswick Teacher Wins Prestigious Fulbright Scholarship Twice

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ - For many, winning the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship once is a feat itself.

However, one of South Brunswick’s own - Samantha Saldanha-Kuncharam, a 20-year veteran of the school district - is raising the stakes after earning a spot in the scholar program for a second time.

Saldanha-Kuncharam, a Global Studies and AP Comparative Government at South Brunswick High School, will be traveling to Taiwan in July as part of the “Group Projects Abroad” from The College of New Jersey. Fulbright Scholars, which are composed of educators, administrators, researchers, artists and professionals, are tasked with gaining insights from around the world and sharing their experiences upon their return home.

“The program focuses on advancing core Taiwanese values, learning the language, and understanding key aspects of Taiwanese culture,” the school district said in a newsletter statement. “The grant includes all living and travel expenses as well as excursions to numerous cultural sites.”

Saldanha-Kuncharam was previously the recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship in 2006, which resulted in her studies surrounding globalization in India.

“When I return, I hope to first look at our curriculum to see where this information fits, then share my experiences and knowledge with my colleagues in a professional development setting,” the educator said in a statement.