University of Arkansas Hosts 80 Fulbrighters From Afghanistan

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Some of the more than 80 U.S. Department of State-sponsored Fulbright Program participants from Afghanistan, who visited the University of Arkansas last semester.

news.uark.edu

More than 80 U.S. Department of State-sponsored Fulbright Program participants from Afghanistan visited the University of Arkansas last semester to participate in a Fulbright Enrichment Seminar hosted by the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences and the Spring International Language Center. 

The program aimed to help the participants — known as "Fulbrighters" — increase their knowledge of U.S. academic life, culture and history.

Each year, more than 8,000 Fulbrighters from around the world are selected to build relationships, knowledge and leadership skills in support of critical priorities in the long-term interests of the United States and the world. Last year the U of A also hosted 60 Fulbrighters from Afghanistan.

"It's an honor for us to be a host site for the second year in a row, especially during the milestone 70th anniversary year of the Fulbright Program," said Todd Shields, dean of the Fulbright College. "Senator Fulbright founded the exchange program to increase mutual understanding between people of different countries and cultures, so having these Fulbrighters visit his namesake college is incredibly meaningful and also embodies our mission of 'Peace through Education.'"

Shields said all the Fulbrighters who visited last semester are enrolled in graduate study at universities across the United States. During their time at the U of A, the students attended thematic sessions focused on U.S. social movements, leadership sessions that highlighted the Fulbright tradition of leadership, and panel sessions centered on strategies for academic success. Additionally, U.S. Department of State representatives led a presentation on public diplomacy.

The Fulbrighters also met current U of A graduate students, as well as members of the Northwest Arkansas community.

Leyah Bergman-Lanier, director of the Spring International Language Center, said having the Fulbrighters visit was an amazing experience — both for the U of A community and for the Afghanistan participants.

"Helping to prepare these Fulbrighters for successful experiences in their studies across the United States has been wonderful," she said. "It's exciting that even more students came this year, and our goal was to help empower each Fulbrighter as they acclimate to their new surroundings, and to inspire them as they take on their roles as leaders and change agents in their home communities. Likewise, we also benefitted greatly from this amazing opportunity to learn about Afghanistan."

The seminar was sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs as part of the Fulbright Program, and this activity was administered on behalf of the State Department by the Institute of International Education.

For more information, visit eca.state.gov/fulbright.