Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) recently highlighted the accomplishment of CNM Flamenco instructor Bridgit Luján, who engaged in a prestigious Fulbright research program in Spain. As a Fulbright Scholar, Luján resided in Seville, Spain, immersing herself in Spanish culture, exchanging American cultural insights and conducting in-depth research into the historical roots of Flamenco, according to a press release.

"I always look forward to seeing my students, and I’m even more excited to share what I’ve learned with them," she said. 

Renowned as a preeminent international educational and cultural endeavor, the Fulbright Program serves as a cornerstone of the United States' commitment to global engagement and mutual understanding. This comprehensive initiative offers an exceptional platform for students and university faculty members to partake in immersive experiences that encompass not only academic pursuits, but also cultural exploration, idea dissemination and problem-solving on both local and global scales. By fostering cross-border collaborations and facilitating diverse perspectives, the Fulbright Program empowers participants to contribute to the resolution of multifaceted challenges while fostering enduring connections that transcend geographical boundaries, the release stated. 

“Many forms of dance developed because the lower class were imitating the upper class,” Luján said, according to the press release. “The same goes for Flamenco, and the main focus of my research was to pinpoint where and when this happened in Flamenco’s history.”

Having returned to Albuquerque, Luján will add the final touches to her comprehensive Flamenco research, eagerly anticipating the dissemination of her insights among peers, students and the local community. She looks forward to resuming her role as a Flamenco instructor at CNM, imparting her expertise to students with renewed enthusiasm.

“I’m also excited to see my students leave my class knowing they’ve been successful in something that is likely outside of their comfort zone," she said. "When they leave feeling successful, it builds their confidence and self-esteem, and that only helps them succeed in everything else they do moving forward.”