The Fulbright Program

From April 18-21, 2024, #Fulbright Foreign Students had the opportunity to engage in an enrichment seminar titled "A Sustainable Path Forward: Conservation, Adaptation, and Innovation." 🌱 💡 The 125 participants from 71 countries and territories gathered in Seattle to learn how the city is implementing green innovations and engaging in collaborative action to protect our planet. The Fulbrighters engaged in workshops, panels, and activities with a shared commitment to building a sustainable future, including: 🎤 An opening dinner and keynote on humanity's historic relationship with the sea, hosted at @seattleaquarium 👥 A panel discussion on Seattle's path to carbon neutrality 💚 Site visits to @conservationnw, Bullitt Center, @orcaconservancy, @uw_cei, and @conserve_wa 🤲 Community service projects with six nonprofit organizations in recognition of Earth Day. Activities included planting trees, removing invasive species, and learning about the ecological and cultural importance of the land. #Environment

Are you a #Fulbright alum or administrator attending the 2024 NAFSA Conference & Expo in New Orleans, Louisiana? We want to connect with you! Please complete a brief survey, and we will reach out in early May with more information about the Fulbright Program's booth, networking opportunities, and sessions Survey for Fulbright alums: https://bit.ly/44mFFL8 Survey for Fulbright FPA and Liaisons: https://bit.ly/49X7N8I NAFSA: Association of International Educators

"Try and believe in your story. And if you don't get it the first time, try again. This was my second time applying for a Fulbright." Jennifer "Jenny" Gil is making the invisible world of microalgae accessible to all through science education that encourages learners to use sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch! 🌊 During her #Fulbright-National Geographic Award to Panama, Jenny identified species of microalgae and documented the country's biodiversity. She utilized her research to create educational events and online content in both Spanish and English, aiming to widely share the importance of microalgae in our daily lives and the environment as a whole: "I wanted to tell the invisible story of microalgae, [and through Fulbright-National Geo], I was being able to tell my story to big audiences." #Environment National Geographic Society

In March, 33 #Fulbright English Teaching Assistants (ETAs) teaching English in classrooms across 11 Sub-Saharan African countries gathered in Dakar, Senegal for an enrichment seminar hosted by the West African Research Center (WARC). The ETAs had the opportunity to connect with each other, learn new skills, and deepen their understanding of English teaching in the region. 🌍 With support from three second-year ETA mentors, the ETAs took turns leading presentations and breakout sessions on topics such as "The Role of Education," “Elections in Africa in 2024,” and "Cultural Identity Experiences." Wishing the best for these ETAs as they continue their Fulbright journeys with newfound knowledge and connections!

Fulbright Alum Peter Higgs was a giant in the field of particle physics whose groundbreaking work revolutionized our understanding of the universe. His theory about what binds the universe together sparked a half-century quest of discovery to confirm the existence of the Higgs boson or “God particle,” confirmed in 2012 through experiments at European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). Higgs was awarded the Nobel Prize for his work on subatomic particles in 2013. Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, Peter graduated from King's College London. In 1965, Higgs received a Fulbright to the University of North Carolina; he was honored in 2015 by the former chancellor of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Carol L. Folt: “Nearly half a century ago, Professor Higgs found himself at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill conducting revolutionary work in physics and his work continues to inspire us [...] his example motivates our faculty and students to pursue their passions and make their own significant mark on their discipline.” The former director general of CERN Fabiola Gianotti paid tribute to Higgs as the inspiration for her experiments to discover the Higgs boson. She shared with The Guardian: “Besides his outstanding contributions to particle physics, Peter was a very special person, a man of rare modesty, a great teacher and someone who explained physics in a very simple and profound way." #Fulbright #NationalPhysicsDay US-UK Fulbright Commission Photo: Sean Dempsey/PA via AP

Fulbright Alum Maryse Condé was a powerful storyteller, academic, and winner of the New Academy prize in literature. Born in Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, Condé’s work explored themes of colonialism, slavery, and the multifaceted identities of Black individuals. Condé earned a PhD in Comparative Literature from Université Sorbonne Nouvelle and became a professor and novelist. Her bestselling 1984 novel “Segu” and its sequel, “Children of Segu,” earned her international acclaim. In 1985, Condé received a Fulbright award to Occidental College in Los Angeles. She published widely, including books that span genres by combining fictional and historical approaches, such as “I, Tituba: Black Witch of Salem” (1986). During her tenure at Columbia University, she presided over the Center for French and Francophone studies from its foundation in 1997 until 2002. French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged her impressive legacy: “A literary giant, Maryse Condé paints a picture of sorrow and hope, from Guadeloupe to Africa, from the Caribbean to Provence. In a language of struggle and splendor, unique and universal.” #Fulbright #WorldBookDay Fulbright France

In honor of #EarthDay, we're recognizing the Fulbright Amazonia scholars working to support a sustainable and thriving future for the Amazon Basin and its communities 🌎 From April 8-12, 2024, the sixteen Amazonia scholars gathered in Colombia for a mid-term meeting to share their 10-month research progress in three thematic areas: climate change adaptation and mitigation, strengthening human and environmental health and security, and bioeconomy and sustainable development. As described by co-lead scholar Carlos Valério Aguiar Gomes, the cohort embraces an "inclusive and participative approach" which prioritizes collaboration with local and Indigenous community members. During the mid-term meeting, the Fulbright Amazonia Scholars: 🎣 Visited Yahuarcaca Lakes to learn from local experts on community-based freshwater conservation management and restoration of the Lakes' forests 🗣️ Hosted a roundtable with academics from Colombia and Brazil to hear pan-Amazon perspectives and discuss future research partnerships ✏️ After the meetings, some of the scholars volunteered to hold workshops for Colombian students to learn about Fulbright Amazonia's key research themes and engage in international educational exchange Fulbright Amazonia is supported by the U.S. Government in collaboration with Fulbright Brazil and other regional partners. The mid-term meeting was hosted by Fulbright Colombia. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/ed_xrNde

“Fulbright has provided hundreds of thousands of students, academics, professionals, and artists with matchless opportunities for education, personal development, and global competence. And I’m grateful I can say I am one of them.” ~#Fulbright Alum Ángel Cabrera 👏 Learn more about his Fulbright journey here: https://lnkd.in/eag-Mbq9

"Color is the cultural bridge that connects us all." 🌈 🎨 🖼️ This is the conviction that led fine arts professor Heather Jones to Mexico as a U.S. Fulbright Scholar. Hosted by Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Jones taught classes on photography and color theory in Mexico, while teaching the same curriculum virtually to her students at Genesee Community College, New York. Jones' Fulbright project facilitated international conversations between her students in New York and Mexico, allowing them to appreciate "the similarities and beautiful diversities" between each culture's connection to color. Their collaboration culminated in exhibitions of student artwork in both cities! To explore more student works and hear testimonials from the students, check out our web feature of Jones and the Color Connection project: https://lnkd.in/euu9wjH7 📸 Exhibition highlights, Jones and her students, Jones giving a gallery talk, and Jones and collaborator Professor Jose Luis Gonzalez-Cabrero of UASLP.

📣 Announcing a new group seminar designed for higher education administrators from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to build connections with institutions and peers in France and Senegal. The inaugural Fulbright HBCU International Education Administrators (IEA) Seminar, scheduled for March 29 to April 12, 2025, will consist of briefings, campus visits, networking and cultural activities, and meetings with French and Senegalese higher education professionals and government officials. The HBCU IEA Seminar is the latest addition to a series of Fulbright exchanges that give U.S. professionals the chance to learn about education systems in other countries and broaden their networks. While all IEA seminars welcome applicants from HBCUs, the new France and Senegal seminar offers HBCU professionals experiences tailored specifically to their unique academic context. Learn more about the award and hear IEA alums reflect on the knowledge and skills they brought back to their HBCUs: https://bit.ly/3W5LMBw Fulbright France