GVPT Alumna Keya Barot ’22 Awarded Prestigious Fulbright to Teach in Turkey

The Department of Government and Politics (GVPT) is thrilled to recognize Keya Barot (GVPT '22) on receiving a Fulbright Award, one of the most prestigious international exchange programs sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. This September, Keya will travel to Adana, Turkey to serve as an English Teaching Assistant at the university level, continuing her commitment to international engagement, education, and public service.

Keya’s journey at the University of Maryland was shaped by a deep curiosity about the world and a desire to give back. As a Peer Advisor in GVPT during her senior year, she found herself surrounded by a diverse community of students with wide-ranging interests and ambitions.

"It was so refreshing to be around other students in GVPT who were pursuing different paths. That role helped me discover how broad the department really was—and it gave me a sense of purpose, like I was giving back to a place that gave me so much," Keya shared.

Her global outlook truly took off through her involvement in the Global Fellows Program, where she studied Critical Regions and International Relations. Encouraged by her professor, Danusia Hubah, Keya pursued a Boren Scholarship to study Turkish in Azerbaijan—a leap she initially felt unqualified to take.

"I didn’t think it was for someone like me, but my professor kept pushing me to apply. I’m so glad I did. The experience changed everything."

During her time in Azerbaijan, Keya immersed herself in language learning and cultural exchange, forming lifelong friendships and gaining firsthand insight into the nuances of diplomacy. That experience also planted the seed for her Fulbright application. This time, she wanted to challenge herself even more—by going solo and contributing to education.

"A big reason I applied to Fulbright was to see if I could build a community on my own. With Boren, I had a cohort. Now, I want to explore what it means to grow independently in a new country while focusing on diplomacy."

In Turkey, she hopes to go beyond the classroom. In addition to teaching English, she’s exploring ways to work with children and possibly contribute to initiatives addressing the Syrian refugee crisis in the region.

Keya’s passion for education stems from her family’s story. Her grandparents never learned English, but they made sure their children did. Her mother came to the U.S. in the 1990s and English was the key to unlocking a successful engineering career.

"English changed everything for my mom. I want to help others access the same kind of opportunity."

Looking back, Keya admits that her academic path wasn’t linear. She struggled in her early years, and like many students, she doubted herself during the scholarship application process.

"I wasn’t a perfect student. Freshman year was hard, and then COVID hit. But I didn’t stop trying. I was terrified of regret—so I stopped nitpicking my application and just submitted it."

That leap of faith paid off. And even now, she encourages other students to take chances and use the resources available to them—especially the National Scholarships Office, which she still stays in touch with even three years after graduation.

"Talk to alumni. Reach out to the National Scholarships Office. Reapply if you have to. Don't let someone else’s opinion stop you from trying again."

Professionally, Keya currently works at the Department of Defense, but she embraces the unpredictability of her path. Whether it's sharing her time as a barista or talking about cultural exchange, she believes every experience adds to a fuller, more compelling story.

"What I wanted at the start of Boren is completely different from what I wanted at the end—and even more different from what I want now. You're always evolving. And that’s a good thing."

Keya's story is a powerful example of resilience, curiosity, and the impact of global engagement. As she heads to Turkey, we know she’ll continue representing UMD and the GVPT community with thoughtfulness, humility, and purpose.

Congratulations, Keya! We are incredibly proud of you.

Published on Mon, 09/22/2025 - 10:32