Mr Paulin (22), who grew up in Invercargill, was "overwhelm-ed" and excited to have gained a Fulbright general graduate award to support his study, for a master of science degree in clinical exercise, at Northeastern University, Boston.
The graduate award provides $US25,000, plus air fares and insurance costs, and amounts to about $NZ40,000.
Mr Paulin, who completed a bachelor of physical education honours degree at Otago last year, said he hoped to return to work in New Zealand as a clinical exercise physiologist.
His two-year study programme, which starts in September, involves course work, a thesis and up to 600 hours' practical clinical experience in Boston hospitals and clinics.
He would be working and studying with people in clinical situations where chronic diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, obesity and heart disease, had been shown to have been resolved or improved with exercise, he said.
He is a keen recreational runner, a deer and pig hunter, and former member of the Taieri premier hockey team.
Fulbright awards aim to advance mutual understanding by promoting academic links between scholars in the US and many other countries.
