Fulbright Foreign Student
Newsletter

Realizing Mutual Understanding at Clark University

Fulbright’s mission of promoting mutual understanding is lived to its fullest at the International Development, Community and Environment Department (IDCE) of Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts. With a student body from all over the world, including: Uganda, Nepal, Egypt, Yemen, Spain, Colombia, Albania, Haiti, Austria, India, Somalia, Hungary, South Korea, China, the Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Tonga, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Bahamas, Canada, and the Czech Republic. There is something new to learn about another culture every day.

Kerstin Freudenthaler, Austria, 2007-2008 (on left)

One of these things worth discovering is Diwali, also called Deepavali. Diwali is a major Indian festival in Hinduism. Known as the "Festival of Lights," it symbolizes the victory of good over evil, and lamps are lit as a sign of celebration and hope for humankind. At Clark, students from all over the world celebrate the Indian Festival of Lights together. We dress up, eat a lot of delicious Indian food – and dance, of course! It feels like being part of a big Bollywood movie! As a Fulbrighter, I feel that these out-of-classroom cultural encounters are as important as the academic experience. At Clark, the promotion of mutual understanding is part of the adacemic experience.

Thoughts on Being a Fulbright Ambassador

Last August, I left the borders of my country to initiate the most important learning experience in my life. In the beginning, I felt a mixture of feelings; high expectations and fear. I hoped that I would take part in an engaging graduate program -- one that would help me grow professionally and culturally. Indeed, being a Fulbrighter has given me the opportunity to pursue my education in a quality Master of Arts in Teaching program (MAT-TESOL). I am not only becoming a better teacher, but developing intercultural understanding.

Juan M. Rostran, Nicaragua, 2007-2008

First and foremost, I am glad that my graduate program matches my educational needs. The School for International Training MAT-TESOL program is exceptional; I am learning a lot about teaching. One special feature of this graduate program is the way it bridges theory and practice. The reflection-practice-reflection phases of the program give me an opportunity to articulate and analyze my teaching and learning beliefs, concretize those beliefs during the internship phase, and then reflect upon them in implementation. In fact, I am in a graduate program that fully comprises what I was looking for.

Moreover, the opportunity to study in the United States assists me in achieving my educational goal of developing cultural understanding. Being in a program with classmates from all around the world embodies a rich cultural adventure. The everyday interaction with my classmates promotes tolerance and respect, and, therefore, personal growth. I am, without doubt, becoming more aware of cultural differences as I share my experiences with others. I am truly content that I am now immersed in an amazing multicultural community. In this experience, I am also a cultural ambassador.

At this point, just as I am about to finish the first semester of my program, I can tell that the experience has been incredibly rewarding. As a Fulbright ambassador, I am learning from my everyday experiences; I am achieving my academic goals while broadening my cultural awareness.