Building on Fulbright: Taylor Herman’s next chapter abroad

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Taylor Herman spent months indoors at home, which gave her time to think more intentionally about what she wanted from her education and future. When it came to choose her college degree, she knew she wanted it to lead her beyond familiar boundaries and into new perspectives and global connections. That realization ultimately led her to Tampa Bay; a place she believed could open doors to the international experiences she was seeking.

Herman reflects, “I really wanted to move to a city that was internationally connected, so Tampa really stuck out to me because it is such a booming hub for business and for so many different cultures.”

Her choice proved to be the right one. Tampa’s growing international reputation, later recognized in the 2025 Financial Times rankings as the top U.S. city for foreign businesses, reflected the globally connected environment she envisioned when she first began her journey.

During her time at USF, Taylor met School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies Professor Dr. Judithanne McLauchlan, who would become an important mentor in shaping her academic interests. During her first semester, Taylor enrolled in an American National Government class taught by Dr. McLauchlan, an experience that left a lasting impression.

Herman shares, “I was very interested in her instruction and her demeanor as a professor. I began staying after class discussing different topics, asking questions, picking her brain, and found myself interested in International Relations.”

Inspired by that early experience, Taylor began her academic journey as a Political Science major and later added a Legal Studies minor. Through comparative legal projects with Dr. McLauchlan and involvement in Student Government, she developed a deeper understanding of global systems.

As her experiences at USF broadened, Taylor became increasingly aware of opportunities that could extend her learning beyond traditional classroom settings. It was during this period of academic and extracurricular growth at the university that she was first introduced to the Fulbright Program.

Herman recalls, “Despite knowing how competitive Fulbright Awards were, I viewed it as a goal to pursue. The more I built up my experiences on campus the more competitive I became for an award so I applied.”  

When she was selected as a 2024–2025 Fulbright award recipient, Moldova became a natural destination following a research collaboration she completed with Dr. McLauchlan, who also served as a Fulbright Scholar to Moldova in 2010, 2012, and 2023.

Reflecting on the experience and the skills that continue to shape her today, Herman emphasizes the importance of having “the ability to roll with the unexpected.”

“A piece of advice I was given when preparing for my Fulbright grant is to be prepared to not be prepared because you will never know what it’s like to live in that environment until you live in it.” She added “I truly could never have anticipated what it would be like to live in Cahul.”  

As her experiences at USF broadened, Taylor became increasingly aware of opportunities that could extend her learning beyond traditional classroom settings.

Although she had previous experience in administrative roles at USF, stepping into the classroom in Moldova required a new level of patience and adaptability skills she developed while teaching students who were only slightly younger than herself.

Learning from her students’ perspectives quickly became one of the most meaningful aspects of her experience. Many came from post-Soviet families, and hearing their insights as they navigated global events together fostered thoughtful dialogue. She valued the chance to serve not only as a teacher, but also as a mentor, guiding students as they explored complex ideas and formed their own perspectives.

Herman hopes that she left a lasting impact by fostering a classroom environment grounded in open conversation and curiosity. She placed strong emphasis on civic literacy, encouraging students to think critically about their role in society. Through guided discussions, she often invited them to reflect on questions such as: What do your rights mean to you? What does democracy mean to you? What issues feel most pressing in your community?

Herman reflects, “I hope that by engaging in difficult conversations, my students were able to reflect and will carry those insights with them as they begin their careers and work to make a difference.”

She describes Moldova as a country with a relatively young democracy, something she found both inspiring and motivating. She frequently reminded her students of the power they wield as citizens and voters, emphasizing that even small voices can drive meaningful change.

Drawing on her experience in Moldova, Taylor continues to expand her knowledge through her graduate studies at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Bologna, Italy, where she is pursuing am M.A. in International Relations with a focus in Russian, an academic path that closely aligns with the regional and professional direction she hopes to pursue.

Herman shares, “I knew when I was graduating from USF that I wanted to pursue a career in international relations. However, it was the excitement of living in Moldova where I did not speak the native language, reported to the U.S. Embassy and lived in a high-pressure environment that led me to my M.A. program.”  

One subject that unexpectedly captured her interest was energy geopolitics and infrastructure, an area she had not previously considered but became fascinated with during her time in Moldova, where conversations about energy stability and security were constant. Building on that interest in graduate school, Taylor now approaches the field from a geopolitical and European-Eurasian perspective, placing a stronger emphasis on economics than in her undergraduate studies. Her academic work integrates trade, energy, and infrastructure, while intensive language instruction three days a week continues to strengthen her Russian skills as she prepares for the next stage of her global career.

"Relationships make the U.S. a safer place, and they make the world a safer place, so getting to have an impact through those diplomatic relations and spending time abroad would be a wonderful way to serve my country.” —Taylor Herman

When asked to reflect on her time at USF, Herman credits the university with helping her discover her passions through unexpected opportunities.

Her advice to students interested in pursuing opportunities like Fulbright or graduate study abroad is simple: try things out. While planning and building a résumé are important, she believes that meaningful experiences, whether career-focused or driven by curiosity, are what truly shape a student’s path. She encourages students to get out of their comfort zones, attend events, step into unfamiliar spaces, and engage with people outside their usual circles to gain new perspectives.

Looking ahead, Taylor hopes to pursue a career in diplomacy and has a lifelong dream of becoming a U.S. diplomat. At its core, she sees diplomacy as rooted in connection and understanding across cultures.

Herman adds, “Relationships are very important. Relationships make the U.S. a safer place, and they make the world a safer place, so getting to have an impact through those diplomatic relations and spending time abroad would be a wonderful way to serve my country.”

As she looks back on her journey, Taylor expresses deep gratitude to the mentors who supported her along the way, particularly those at USF’s St. Petersburg campus who guided her path and encouraged her ambitions. She encourages current students to seek out mentorship and remain open to unexpected opportunities that can shape their futures.

“I strongly recommend connecting with Ms. Lauren Chambers at the Office of National Scholars to explore your options, as the right opportunity can be truly life changing.”