When Avani Sanghvi applied to the Fulbright UK Summer Institute Program for Black Humanities at the University of Bristol, she did not anticipate being selected for Bristol’s Arts, Activism, and Social Justice Institute instead. This unexpected shift introduced her to a new path filled with creative writing, discussions around artificial intelligence, and philosophical exploration.
The Fulbright UK Summer Institutes are three-to-four-week study programs in the United Kingdom for high-achieving first and second-year undergraduate students with limited travel experience outside North America. Participants explore the culture and heritage of their host city through lectures, visits to important historical sites, and group discussions.
Sanghvi, who studies English and philosophy at the ±«Óătv, had only traveled abroad to visit family in the Dominican Republic before this experience. In her Fulbright UK application, she wrote about her work in feminist digital humanities research and her goal to document Afro-Caribbean artists' stories within the broader historical narrative. While she remains dedicated to uplifting Black voices, her time in Bristol has broadened her focus.
BRISTOL INSPIRES
The Arts, Activism, and Social Justice Institute introduced Sanghvi to artists and community leaders exploring themes of colonialism, migration, sustainability, and health. She was particularly inspired by the people she met.
One guest lecturer performed African dance, teaching how traditional steps communicated stories and even mapped battle movements. Architects shared 3D models, poets read pieces about social movements in the UK, and local students performed for the cohort.
The cultural richness of Bristol reignited her love for creativity. In her free time, Sanghvi explored the city’s gardens, played the piano in her dorm, visited jazz clubs, and wrote extensively.
ART AND IDENTITY IN A GLOBALIZING WORLD
Upon returning to the United States, Sanghvi started an internship with Clarkesworld, a major science fiction and fantasy creative writing magazine. One of the challenges her team faced was wading through the massive influx of AI-generated submissions. The issue gripped Sanghvi and reinforced concepts discussed during her summer experience. She quickly became interested in how these artificial pieces create noise in the artistic space, which she sees as one for commentaries on our society.
“AI is robbing people of the ability to reflect on themselves. It’s robbing them of their identities,” said Sanghvi.
While Sanghvi recognizes AI’s potential as a creative tool, she is troubled by its misuse in drafting pieces for resume-building rather than authentic storytelling. She believes the writing process itself provides a means of empowerment and a way to preserve lessons for future generations. Sanghvi describes her place in activism as using literature to address modern problems and help people express their thoughts amidst a world increasingly filled with artificial static.
UPLIFTING YOUNG VOICES
Sanghvi is now co-leading a writing seminar, Finding Your Arc, with Dr. Sayan Basu, director of the Office of National Scholars (ONS). In her role as a student assistant, she teaches students to break down formulaic statements, investigate their goals, and craft original narratives. She also plans to start her own online magazine dedicated to showcasing young authors.
At the same time, Sanghvi is continuing to grow her own voice as a creator. She intends to present her work this spring at the Johns Hopkins Macksey Symposium for Undergraduate Research in the Humanities and will eventually apply for prestigious fellowships for graduate studies in philosophy or creative writing.
When asked for her advice to potential applicants, she responded: “Just apply! If studying abroad is your goal, why not challenge yourself? Don’t ever say that you can’t do it until you have tried.”
Students interested in opportunities like the Fulbright UK Summer Institute Program should meet with an ONS Advisor.