By Justin O’Neal
Guest Contributor
“It’s not always about how fast you go. You can win in other ways like your work ethic and setting the right example.”
Notre Dame women’s swimming captain Sarah Bender characterized her leadership in this simple yet wise way, and it will be put to the test on the international scale this fall.
After a well-decorated four-year career, the Glen Allen, Va., native has been awarded a Fulbright scholarship, sending her to teach English abroad in the Slovak Republic as a graduate student beginning this fall. The prestigious program allows its awardees to travel to one of 140 different countries worldwide to learn from and experience different cultures as they complete their objective, whether it be in the form of conducting research, pursuing graduate studies or teaching. According to the program’s website, just 16 students earned English Teaching Assistant Awards for the Slovak Republic this application cycle.
The honor is named for former U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright, who aimed to use bilateral partnerships to improve cultural relationships and diplomacy beginning in the 1940s. Starting in September, Bender will be able to teach and impact the lives of Slovakian students, while also gleaning insight into the country’s culture. As a Fulbright scholar, she will create bonds with her students daily, learning from them just as much as they will learn from her.
“I’m excited to learn new perspectives and integrate them into my understanding of the world,” Bender said of what she is looking forward to most about this experience.
It is clear she is excited for the opportunity, and she credits the relationships and memories she made as a swimmer for giving her the confidence to embark on this journey. Bender always wanted to study abroad, but the time constraints of being a student-athlete limited her ability to get in-person jobs or internships that would augment the application for a Fulbright scholarship. Initially, Bender worried that her chaotic schedule would stop her from achieving this goal, but her teammates’ advice and belief in her were the confidence boost she needed to keep her dream alive. According to a Notre Dame official, Bender is the first Notre Dame student-athlete to earn the honor.
“Sarah is one of the most ambitious and hardworking people I know,” said Allison Kopac, a fellow senior team captain for the Irish. “She leads by example and goes out of her way to show her dedication to everything she is a part of, especially our team.”
Despite spending so much of her energy working hard in the pool, Bender was still able to keep up her stellar performance in the classroom as well as in the South Bend community. Over the course of her career and in addition to serving as a team captain during the 2023-24 season, Bender was a two-time All-ACC Academic Team member, Rockne Scholar-Athlete Award winner, and holds the eighth-best time in program history in the 200 breaststroke.
“Sarah’s work ethic and commitment to her experience as a student-athlete at Notre Dame provided her the platform to succeed, impact and change the world for the better,” Peterson Family Head Coach Chris Lindauer said.
Bender’s time as a student-athlete at Notre Dame and leader for the swim team prepared her well for this opportunity, and she is ready to make the most of it. As her college career comes to a close this weekend, Bender is preparing to start a new chapter of her life.
“Sarah is the epitome of a Notre Dame person, and I’m so excited to see all that she becomes,” Kopac said. “There is no one more deserving of such a prestigious grant.”