MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — By the time Middle Tennessee State University student Josh Narrell saw the word “finalist” glowing on his Fulbright portal, he had already convinced himself it might never come. 

It was an ordinary day — he was scrolling through his phone on the couch when he checked the Slack group for Fulbright applicants. Suddenly, people were celebrating. Confused, he refreshed his portal. There it was. No email. Just the news he’d been waiting months to hear.

“I was in shock,” Narrell said. “The wait had been agonizing. Politics, furloughs, delays — it felt endless. But in that moment, all I felt was relief and excitement.”

Now, the May graduate is preparing to spend nearly a year in Hamburg, Germany, as an English teaching assistant through the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Program.

Founded in 1946, the Fulbright Program fosters mutual understanding between nations through educational exchange. Narrell joins a competitive group of young leaders who will represent the United States abroad while deepening cross-cultural dialogue.

From Murfreesboro to Hamburg

Narrell’s journey began at Central Magnet School in Murfreesboro, where he started learning German at 14. That early interest matured into two undergraduate degrees — in international relations and German, both earned summa cum laude from MTSU in 2022.

He then completed a master’s in media and communication, finishing with a 4.0 GPA and a thesis on how online campaign messaging affects political engagement among young voters.

He credits professors like Jun Zhang from the School of Journalism and Strategic Media and his role as a graduate assistant in the Business and Economic Research Center for sharpening both his analytical and communication skills. 

“Whether studying politics, languages, or public relations, everything I’ve done ties back to one core goal: understanding people better,” he said.

His academic breadth and global mindset exemplify the interdisciplinary strengths championed by the College of Liberal Arts. Dean Leah Lyons praised Narrell’s achievements and the impact of his international focus.

“Josh’s academic preparation, combining international relations with German language, is a firm foundation to build on as he continues to construct a framework for understanding the human condition,” said Lyons. “Such understanding is the heart of a liberal arts education, which creates a space for synthesizing complex ideas across academic disciplines and global perspectives to speak to some of the greatest challenges facing our world today. We are so pleased that he will have the opportunity to apply his knowledge and skills through the Fulbright program and its emphasis on global cultural exchange.”

Why Germany? Why Teaching?

This isn’t Narrell’s first time in Germany — he studied abroad in Germersheim in 2022. 

“After that, I knew I had to go back,” he said, a resolve that strengthened when he returned home and stepped in as a temporary German teacher at his alma mater.

“I wasn’t the greatest teacher,” he admits with a laugh. “But I loved it. Watching students grow, even in just a few months, was incredibly rewarding.”

That experience — and his broader interest in intercultural communication — made the Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship a perfect fit. Although he doesn’t yet know the exact school, he’s excited to live and teach in Hamburg, a historically rich, international city.

What pushed him to apply in the first place? A desire to connect cultures — and a strong sense of purpose. 

“PR, especially international or political PR, is really about building bridges,” he said. “I want to help people understand each other better. Fulbright will give me tools to do that — not just in Germany, but wherever I go next.”

Professionally, Narrell hopes to pursue a career in international public relations. Personally, he sees the Fulbright as a turning point. 

“Imposter syndrome is real,” he said. “But this award feels like validation — that I belong, that I can make a difference.”

He also hopes to return to the U.S. with new insights into global youth engagement. “I want to bring back more than just language skills — I want perspective. I want to understand how young people across cultures connect with public life, and use that to mentor others, shape communication strategies, and keep learning.”

Words for next dreamer

“To any student considering something big — apply,” Narrell said. “You don’t have to be the smartest or the most qualified. You just have to show up, care, and keep going. And when you’re stuck in the waiting, learn to move forward anyway. That’s a skill worth everything.”

As Narrell prepares for his journey abroad, MTSU Undergraduate Fellowships Specialist Laura Clippard emphasized the broader impact of his accomplishment. 

“Joshua has strong diplomatic skills and will represent Middle Tennessee well through the Fulbright Program. Fulbright is a valuable opportunity, but it’s just one of many. I encourage students to reach out to explore Fulbright and other national and international fellowships,” Clippard said.

For more information, contact Clippard at laura.clippard@mtsu.edu. 

— Robin E. Lee (Robin.E.Lee@mtsu.edu)