Asja Tuco ’26, an undergraduate student at the Grossman School of Business at the University of Vermont, was named a semi‑finalist for the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Program English Teaching Assistant (ETA) award in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

Tuco, a Business Administration major with concentrations in Marketing and Global Business and a minor in Human Development and Family Sciences, advanced through multiple stages of the highly competitive Fulbright selection process. While she recently learned that she was not selected as a finalist, earning semi‑finalist status remains a significant achievement and a testament to her academic excellence, leadership, and global engagement. 

As a Fulbright ETA semi‑finalist, Tuco was recognized by U.S. Fulbright review committees for her strong academic background, cross‑cultural competency, and commitment to international service. Reaching this stage places her among a select group of applicants nationwide whose work and potential stood out in a rigorous review process. 

Tuco’s interest in Bosnia and Herzegovina is deeply personal, shaped by her family’s roots and historical experiences, as well as her academic and professional focus on global engagement. If selected, she would have worked as an English Teaching Assistant supporting local classrooms while fostering mutual understanding through cultural exchange.

During summer 2025, Tuco interned with the Post‑Conflict Research Center in Sarajevo, where she contributed to genocide and mass atrocity prevention initiatives, supported the Srebrenica Youth School commemorating the 30th anniversary of the genocide, and wrote on diaspora entrepreneurship for Balkan Diskurs. She has also been actively involved in refugee resettlement and youth education efforts in Vermont. 

“Growing up between American and Bosnian cultures made me passionate about bridging the two worlds together for others,” Tuco said. “I applied for Fulbright in Bosnia and Herzegovina because being an English Teaching Assistant (ETA) would be the perfect way for me to be involved in cross‑cultural understanding and supporting youth development. For my future, being a Fulbright ETA would allow me to leverage my career goals in human resources and gain unique and transferable skills.” 

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program aims to increase mutual understanding between people in the United States and other countries through educational and cultural exchange. Tuco’s recognition as a semi‑finalist reflects her dedication to service, global learning, and meaningful international engagement. 

The Grossman School of Business applauds Asja Tuco for this notable accomplishment and looks forward to her continued academic and professional success.