What is a Fulbright?

So, some of my friends have asked about the Fulbright program and its mission. Here is my attempt at describing it....

The Fulbright Program is an international educational exchange program sponsored by the United States' government. It's goal is to “increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.” The Fulbright Program has provided about 300,000 participants with the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns.

The website is www.cies.org (as the administering agency is the Council for the International Exchange of Scholars).

As part of the program, the Fulbright organization assigns scholars (teachers) and specialists (practitioners who may also be teachers) to travel abroad and share their views, research and experience. Individuals apply for the program and, if selected, are awarded a grant to travel abroad and call themselves a "Fulbrighter." I am participating in the Fulbright Specialist Program in the field of higher education management, strategy and financial governance. I was matched with FC College in Pakistan by my own choice - given the work they are doing here and the needs they have for the future.

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to “increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.” With this goal as a starting point, the Fulbright Program has provided almost 300,000 participants—chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential — with the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns.

The Fulbright Program started in 1946 by Senator J. William Fulbright (Arkansas) and is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. “Fulbrighters” can be from the United States, but also from other countries since the program is about the "exchange" of ideas both from and to the United States. The Fulbright Program awards about 7,500 grants each year. I was very lucky to receive one! The Program operates in more than 155 countries worldwide.

So - if you are interested in the program, send me an email and I will explain more!