Connor Moore has come a long way since graduating from NC State: 3,874 miles, to be exact. Though he imagined moving abroad during his undergraduate years at NC State, he never expected to find himself five years later in the Spanish city of Salamanca.

Now living in the Northwest municipality whose population is comparable to that of Wilmington, Moore is a Fulbright U.S. Student Program grantee pursuing a master’s degree in global studies at the University of Salamanca. The institution, which receives nearly 2,000 international students per year, is often referred to as the “Oxford of Spain” due to its rich history and academic prestige. Though Moore’s journey here proved to be fruitful, his success came as a result of persistence, redirection and a willingness to apply, even when the odds felt uncertain. 

Moore graduated from NC State with a double major in international studies and Chinese. As an undergraduate, he immersed himself in globally focused experiences, living in the Global Village and forming friendships with international students across campus. During his third year, he studied abroad in Taiwan as a Boren Scholar, an experience that sparked his initial interest in Fulbright.

However, as with many students during the pandemic, Moore watched a carefully constructed plan dissolve almost overnight.

“I was all set to go, but then COVID shut down the borders of that country,” Moore said, recalling his initial Fulbright application as a senior. He had applied to pursue graduate study in Taiwan and was named a semifinalist. Although he secured substantial funding from the university, pandemic restrictions ultimately made the move impossible. 

Rather than abandoning his international aspirations, however, Moore shifted direction. He joined the Peace Corps and served in Mongolia as an English education and community development volunteer, an experience he says broadened his understanding of global systems and solidified his academic interests.

Nearly six years after his first Fulbright application, Moore revisited the program, this time with his focus on Spain. Despite his initial worries that the program was too competitive for admission, he decided to apply.

Applying with Authenticity

In light of Fulbright’s reputation for being selective, Moore’s advice for applicants is rooted in both experience and realism. “Don’t sweat it,” he said.

“Even if you’re worried about applying to prestigious programs, just do it anyway. You never know what’s going to happen.”

He emphasized that authenticity carries weight in the selection process, urging applicants to write from their own experience. “If you have legitimate experiences that align with what you do”, Moore notes, “then it’ll show through in your application.”

Fulbright encompasses a wide range of awards, including English Teaching Assistant positions and research or graduate study grants. Spain hosts one of the program’s largest cohorts each year, with more than 200 grantees. Moore’s graduate study award represents a smaller segment of those opportunities. 

Moore attributes a key part of his success in the application process to NC State’s competitive awards advising resources, a service he encourages other NC State alumni to utilize.

“I didn’t even know that as somebody who had graduated a few years ago I could reach out again,” Moore said. “But they’ll help people if you’ve ever graduated from NC State. So definitely tap into that.”

Through the university’s endorsement process, Moore received detailed feedback on his application materials and participated in a panel interview before earning the award.

Life in the “Golden City”

Living in Salamanca, known for its ornate architecture and intellectual culture, has offered both challenges and rewards. One anticipated hurdle has been navigating Spain’s bureaucratic system, a tedious process required to secure the required residency documentation.

Still, despite administrative frustrations, Moore has embraced the city’s relaxed pace of life and strong sense of community.

“People go out late. There’s just a lot of vibrancy in the town at all times of day,” he said. “Even at 12 at night, there are families walking around.”

Outside of his coursework, Moore joined a traditional Spanish music group, spending evenings playing songs, sharing tapas and connecting with locals – experiences that have deepened his immersion beyond the classroom. 

For students considering Fulbright, Moore offers straightforward advice: apply.

“Anybody who likes to see the world and wants to broaden their horizons would be a good fit for Fulbright.”

Six years after a stalled application and thousands of miles from where he first imagined studying abroad, Moore now walks the sandstone streets of Salamanca as a Fulbright grantee. The journey wasn’t linear, but by applying again, he turned uncertainty into opportunity. For current students and alumni alike, his path is a reminder that ambition rarely follows a straight line, and sometimes the best decision you can make is to try.

Fulbright Week is March 30 through April 3, 2026 at NC State. NC State students and alumni interested in applying to a Fulbright Program can complete the University Fellowships Office intake form to connect with an advisor. Additional questions about Fulbright opportunities can be directed to the university at fellowship-advising@ncsu.edu.