| Media Note Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC July 23, 2002 U.S. Department of State Hosts FulbrightTeacher Exchange ParticipantsTeachers from 26 countries and 40 U.S. states will meet for the first time before exchanging teaching assignments in the United States and abroad, as recipients of the Fulbright Teacher and Administrator Exchange Program awards, sponsored by the United States Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. In preparation for the challenge of an international exchange experience, 454 U.S. and foreign educators will attend a one-week orientation from July 29 to August 2, 2002 at the Radisson Hotel, Alexandria, Virginia. "Our Fulbright exchange teachers and administrators create a foundation of goodwill around the world. The American teachers can say with credibility to those they teach abroad, ‘I can tell you the real story of America,’" said Tom Farrell, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Academic Programs, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. "Teachers from other countries provide American students, schools, and communities with an awareness of foreign cultures and events that occur in other parts of the world. We are enriched by their presence." Before departing for their assignments, the educators receive coaching on the art of crossing cultures, classroom management techniques for diverse student bodies and other topics. During the week, each teacher is encouraged to have discussions with his or her exchange partner and to draw on the valuable insights of the nearly forty Fulbright Program alumni who will be present as resources. Participating countries for the 2002-2003 academic year include Argentina, Benin, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Mexico, Morocco, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Romania, Senegal, Slovak Republic, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. Since 1946, the Fulbright Teacher and Administrator Exchange has enabled nearly 23,000 teachers and administrators to contribute to mutual understanding between the United States and countries around the world. In exchanging positions with foreign teachers or administrators, program participants have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the cultures of their host countries, an experience that benefits not only the teachers themselves, but also their schools, communities and countries. For more information about America’s flagship educational exchange, the Fulbright Program, logon to the website at http://exchanges.state.gov/education/fulbright. For additional information, contact Diana Berardocco, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, 202-203-7028 or email dberardocco@pd.state.gov. |
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