By Michael Skubal - DAILY NEWS STAFF

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Kate Zambon, Rhinelander High School and Vassar College graduate has been awarded a Fulbright U.S. Student scholarship to Germany where she will teach English as a foreign language.

The Fulbright Program, America's flagship international educational exchange program, is sponsored by the United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Since its establishment in 1946 under legislation introduced by the late Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, the Fulbright program has provided approximately 279,500 people - 105,400 Americans who have studied, taught or researched abroad and 174,100 students, scholars and teachers from other countries who have engaged in similar activities in the United States - with the opportunity to observe each other's political, economic, educational and cultural institutions, to exchange ideas.

Zambon is one of 1,300 citizens who will travel abroad for the 2007-2008 academic year through the program. You have to start somewhere, and for Kate Zambon it was Rhinelander High School.

“I went to Mexico in high school as part of the Rotary Youth Exchange Program in 2001-2002,” said Zambon. “This prepared me. I had contact with exchange students. My family hosted students and as soon as I met my first exchange student, I knew I wanted to go abroad. I was always fascinated by Mexico, my family vacationed in Mexico. The language fascinated me, the language and culture. I realized after meeting an exchange student that I could go and live there. I took Spanish in high school. Thinking in another language changes the way you think.”

Zambon has a good opinion of RHS.

“If you want to learn, they will give you the tools,” she said.

Senora Lefebvre and Herr Schneider are two teachers Zambon credits for her interest in languages. She thought Herr Schneider had a very creative, innovative teaching style.

Zambon attended Vassar because she wanted to live in a different part of the country.

“I wanted to get to know more about American culture,” said Zambon. “ I wanted to go to a smaller school where professors would know me and support me. And I wanted a strong language department. I learned that the Midwest is more hospitable, we have a very different way of dealing with each other. The culture on the East coast and the German culture is more reserved socially.”

This is not Zambon's first trip abroad. She worked for WWOOF, World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farming, and farmed in Italy and Germany on two occasions.

“I learned how to dig weeds, plant and clean up after the animals,” said Zambon. “We are distanced from our food, the value of our food. Growing up on the resort I had access to lakes and woods and had a family that loved it. I grew up with a respect for the land and a desire to preserve it.”

Zambon graduated from Vassar in 2007. She believes Vassar turns out “strong women and modern men.” Vassar had an office dedicated to investigating opportunities for students and making them aware of these possibilities. They pointed her towards the Fulbright Program.

“At this point I don't know where I'll be in a year,” said Zambon. “I'm going to go out and keep my eyes open and see what comes my way. I have a facility for languages. I believe in living locally and thinking globally. Be skeptical and examine. Education is good for that. Part of my goal is to work with students of English, to inspire excitement about the language and American culture.”

Zambon will be pursuing an independent project as a teaching assistant. Part of the Fulbright Program involves exploration and investigation of the local social, artistic and political scene. The program provides Zambon travel costs there and back, a monthly stipend and insurance.

“It allows me to be independent for the first time, no more calling home for money,” said Zambon. “Most important, this program allows me contact with cultures and people. That's the best way to break down barriers and prejudices. I hope to bring back ideas and philosophies to benefit my community. I'm fortunate, I have a nice and supportive community to come back to.”

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