Navaneeth ShibuNavaneeth Shibu is the first in the history of the University of Alabama at Birmingham to receive the Princeton in Asia Fellowship — a prestigious fellowship that is awarded to students who are committed to fostering mutual appreciation and cross-cultural understanding between the United States and Asia.
Starting in August as a Princeton in Asia fellow, Shibu will teach English-language listening and speaking skills to undergraduate and graduate students at the Can Tho University in Vietnam and organize extracurricular English practice opportunities, such as movie nights and speaking clubs.
“It is an honor to be selected for an opportunity to spend a significant amount of time in another country doing something that I enjoy while participating in cultural exchange,” Shibu said. “I am excited to explore the rich and diverse Vietnamese culture while sharing my Indian heritage and American experiences. I am especially looking forward to trying different local cuisines and learning Vietnamese.”
Choosing Princeton in Asia Fellowship
Contact the Office of National and International Fellowships and Scholarships at fellowships@uab.edu for more information about study abroad programs and scholarships.
Having lived in India, Saudi Arabia and France, Shibu cultivated an interest in travel and intercultural exploration early on. To further this interest, Shibu initially wanted to apply for the Fulbright Scholarship Program, but it was available only to United States citizens. Looking for a similar, inclusive opportunity, he found Princeton in Asia Fellowship that allowed permanent residents like Shibu to apply.
“All of Princeton in Asia’s core values of transformation, immersion and community contribution heavily resonated with my passions and drove me to apply for this opportunity,” Shibu said. “Once I learned that the Princeton in Asia Fellowship was over 125 years old and had developed a vast network of alumni and country advisers across Asia to support the fellows in their various positions, I knew this was a great opportunity for me.”
Shibu moved to the United States in the fifth grade and recalls his challenges with assimilating into the culture and language.
Shibu will spend a year in Vietnam as a Princeton in Asia fellow after graduating with a master’s degree from UAB this summer.“I clearly remember the difficulty that I experienced adjusting to American English; I felt behind compared to my classmates,” Shibu said. “I am very thankful my English teacher at the time recognized that I needed help and went above and beyond to give me supplemental instruction and resources, allowing me to catch up. As a Princeton in Asia fellow, I am looking forward to giving back by helping other students in the same way.”
Shibu is especially grateful to his mentor DeeDee Barnes Bruns, executive director of Community Recruitment Partnerships at the UAB Office of the Provost, whom he lovingly calls “Mama DeeDee,” for her indispensable support in securing the fellowship.
“During my undergraduate career, I served as an orientation leader, and Mama DeeDee oversaw our team and provided me with invaluable support during that time,” Shibu said. “Since Mama DeeDee had fostered my growth and development during that time, I reached out to her for her recommendation. She gave me all her support in pursuing this opportunity, so I am very thankful to her.”
Shibu and UAB — a perfect match
Shibu's ultimate goal is to become a physician.Shibu was first introduced to UAB by a family friend who attended the university, sparking his interest in attending the UAB night hosted in Nashville, Tennessee, where he lived.
“I quickly signed up and went with an open mind since I was eager to learn about more resources UAB provides outside of the few that my friend had highlighted,” Shibu said. “From the very beginning, it was clear to me that UAB is truly a hidden gem that equally welcomes and supports students from beyond Alabama.”
Due to his visa status, Shibu was considered an international student at the time of finding and choosing a college, which limited his options due to the lack of opportunities for non-citizens and non-permanent residents.
“Many of the universities I explored were almost ‘off-limits’ since their scholarships and other opportunities were not available to non-citizens or non-Green Card holders,” Shibu said. “However, from the beginning, UAB had been extremely international student-friendly and offered many of these same resources regardless of visa status. It was the perfect place for me to be.”
Throughout his undergraduate years at UAB, Shibu has been an Honors College student in the University Honors Program and a part of the Undergraduate Student Government Association –– both opportunities he credits for his self-growth.
Shibu acknowledges his time at UAB as valuable primarily because of the institution’s commitment to all and the “level of personal attention and support that is given to every student throughout their entire college career,” he said.
“Professors have always been so approachable and understanding; my advisers have been incredibly helpful in navigating both the college and postgraduate processes,” Shibu said. “Whether it be through student organizations, Greek life or intramurals, students have countless opportunities to meet new people with shared interests and develop lifelong friendships.”
Blazing ahead
Shibu graduated from UAB with a Bachelor of Science degree in immunology in spring 2024 and will graduate with a Master of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Sciences degree this summer. He will take a gap year to serve as a Princeton in Asia fellow to foster his communication skills, cultural awareness, empathy and compassion –– skills that will be vital to becoming a physician –– his ultimate goal.