Andrew Bulovsky, a University of Wisconsin senior from Lodi, has achieved a step toward his dream of eventually running for public office by winning the Marshall Scholarship.

Bulovsky was recently named a Marshall Scholar, a distinguished scholarship that allows 34 selected students to study at a British university of their choice for up to three years.

Bulovsky has chosen to study comparative politics at the London School of Economics and said he is most excited to work with the faculty. Bulovsky said he began the application in May but started working toward the scholarship last spring.

He said he was attracted to the scholarship because it was an opportunity to represent Wisconsin and the United States in the United Kingdom and experience a different perspective on learning.

Bulovsky said receiving the scholarship felt “phenomenal” and he was excited to represent UW on an international level and to bring the meaning of what it means to be a Badger to London.

Bulovsky studied abroad in London and said he is looking forward to returning and interacting with a variety of people and gaining a new appreciation for the perspectives and backgrounds people bring with them.

During his time at UW, Bulovsky said his most memorable class was a seminar by UW political science professor David Cannon on recent politics. The class allowed for open discussion and allowed students to interact and bounce ideas off each other and communicate.

“It was nice because we didn’t all agree on the issues,” Bulovsky said. “There’s such an inherent value in talking to people and deliberating, and I really enjoyed that experience.”

However, Bulovsky said the biggest thing he will take away from UW are the experiences he has had outside of the classroom, from the organizations he has been involved with to the people he has met.

Bulovsky was heavily involved in Associated Students of Madison, serving as chair last year.

“[ASM] is often written off as a place where nothing gets done and people only bicker with each other, but there’s value and a lot to be learned in being able to be open-minded and hear other people’s ideas,” Bulovsky said.

Bulovsky said ASM allowed him to experience new ideas and people he did not agree with and find ways to work with them towards a common goal. He said the creation of Varsity Day and a mental health space in the Student Activity Center were some of ASM’s biggest accomplishments during his time as chair.

Currently, Bulovsky serves as the senior class vice president, which he said is more of a symbolic representation and university focused than the student-focused ASM.

Nonetheless, Bulovsky said he tries to get to know his class in his leadership position on campus.

“I think the very best way to know who you’re representing and the things that you stand for is actually having conversations with people that are your constituents,” he said.

While Bulovsky plans to carry his Wisconsin values with him to London, he encouraged current students to take advantage of the many opportunities UW offers.

“Challenge your beliefs, get involved with something and meet as many people as you possibly can,” Bulovsky said.