COEUR d’ALENE — It took two tries to win a Fulbright scholarship award, but Coeur d’Alene native Lauren Rod begins her studies later this month in Finland.

"The first time, I applied just to apply. There was less passion behind it. I just wanted to win. This time, it was everything I've ever dreamed of doing. I've always wanted to go there," Rod said.

Rod's two-year Fulbright Finland Foundation scholarship will allow her to pursue her master's degree in international marketing management at Lappeenranta University of Technology. 

Rod's studies will focus on creating sustainable business strategies and implementing them into different businesses.

"I'm hoping to bring that back to Idaho. It's just the perfect school and the perfect program for me," Rod said. 

Rod graduated from Lake City High School in 2019 and attended Boise State University for her undergraduate degree in international business and Spanish. She spent the 2023-24 school year teaching English in Valencia, Spain.

She's currently learning some basic Finnish, but the master's program will take place in English.

There are more than 140 countries participating in the Fulbright scholarship program, and Rod's first year is fully paid for with tuition being paid for in the second year.

The Fulbright Scholarship is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries and is sponsored by the U.S. government. And about 800 scholarships are awarded each year for U.S. academics to study abroad.

Rod is also looking into the possibility of expanding her international education with a study abroad opportunity the second year in France, the Netherlands or the Czech Republic as she completes her thesis. 

Less than 20% of Fulbright applicants receive scholarship awards, and Rod said it was the hardest thing she's ever done.

"It's a very lengthy application process. It took me about seven months with professional writers and people to help me with the interview process," Rod said.

In her last two weeks in Idaho, Rod is planning on doing as much as possible around Coeur d'Alene.

"I'm trying to enjoy the lake and the mountains, and my parents are going backpacking with me so I can see as much of this land as I can before I go," Rod said.