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Blyukher works in his office in ISU's health and safety department.
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By MARIA GRENINGER
Not only are Fulbright grants a prestigious honor to those receiving them, but the opportunities that the program affords are valuable beyond measure.
This year, about 800 U.S. faculty and professionals received Fulbright grants to lecture or conduct research in 140 countries around the world. A similar number of foreign visiting scholars received awards to come to the United States.
This year, two Indiana State University faculty members are serving as Fulbright Scholars in foreign countries. (Click here for a list of some previous ISU Fulbrights)
Boris Blyukher, associate professor of health and safety, is spending this semester lecturing on occupational and environmental safety management policy at Nova Gorica Polytechnic University in Slovenia; and Joe Meert, associate professor of geology, is conducting research at the Norwegian Geological Survey in Trondheim, Norway, on "Geodynamics of the Neoproterozoic aand Paleozoic Boundary."
The awards are highly competitive and this year’s recipients join more than 72,000 U.S. and foreign scholars who have participated in the program since its inception in 1946.
The Fulbright Scholar Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, with additional funding coming from participating governments and host institutions. The principal purpose of the program is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries.
Leslie Barratt, professor of linguistics, has received two Fulbright awards during her teaching career — one for work in Budapest, Hungary, in 1987 and the other to study and lecture in Beijing, China, in 1995. She’ll be applying for a third in come time for her next sabbatical in 2003-2004.
"Being awarded a Fulbright is more than giving a conference paper or going as a tourist," Barratt said. "You’re part of another university for awhile. You’re part of what goes on, and you get to see how another university works from the inside. You get to see what the politics are like, what the faculty relationships are like, and what the students are like in another culture."
In fact, Barratt’s travel bug has infected her whole family. Her husband and two children have enjoyed accompanying her on her ventures. Her husband, Will, associate professor of counseling, has taught in exchange programs during Leslie’s Fulbright experiences. And now, their daughter, a junior at South Vigo High School, is spending this year studying abroad.
"It’s (Fulbright experience) invaluable in understanding the international students in our classrooms but also the other cultures within our own country, like the East Coast or the Midwest," Leslie added. "We don’t tend to think of ourselves as multicultural within the United States, but we are. There are still remnants of other cultures and generational differences among us."
Kirby Goidel, associate professor of political science, has applied this year for a Fulbright grant.
"I initially applied for one in Ireland but didn’t get it," said Goidel, who listed Asia as a back-up location for his research on the election process and campaign finance reform.
He was later contacted by the Fulbright coordinator, who explained that they had some openings in either China or Taiwan. He rewrote his proposal for Taiwan and is awaiting word on its approval.
Goidel admitted that he hasn’t set foot outside of the United States his whole life — not even to Canada or Mexico, so he was especially interested in combining research with international travel as part of his next sabbatical.
"I think an experience such as this could be very informative," he said. "Getting different perspectives from other cultures and orientations can help even my understanding of American government."
Manindra Mohapatra, professor of political science and director of ISU’s Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) program, has received a few Fulbright grants during his career and has encouraged many colleagues to pursue the award.
"I help by establishing overseas contacts in places I’m familiar with and by getting letters of invitation from other schools," Mohapatra said. "There are tremendous benefits to the program. It is wonderful for international relations."
"There is always the potential for developing relationships between departments and between universities that can result in the recruitment or exchange of students and faculty from abroad," said El-Houcin Chaqra, interim associate director of the office of Sponsored Programs. "There are a lot of benefits that can be generated from such an experience."
Much of the scholarship and research involved in being a Fulbright Scholar often does not end when the grant expires. In fact, the experience is usually quite the opposite.
"The Geological Survey (where I am based) is supportive of my research efforts and we are sure to continue this collaboration after the Fulbright," said Meert, who had the privilege of taking his wife and three-year-old son along on the year-long trip. "Also, while in Europe, I have had the opportunity to establish working ties and projects with researchers in Toulouse, France and also in Belgium.
"I think that learning about another society and their concerns and hopes is just as rewarding as the research experience," Meert added. "I would not hesitate to encourage my colleagues to pursue a Fulbright. I think it is one of the highlights of my academic career."
Those wishing to pursue a Fulbright award may contact the office of Sponsored Programs for assistance in the proposal writing process.
Applications continue to be accepted for selected 2001-2002 Fulbright awards in a number of countries. Applicants must contact the Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES) to determine availability of and requirements for these awards before submitting a late application.
Otherwise, application deadlines for 2002-2003 awards are as follows:
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Aug. 1, 2001 – Fulbright lecturing, lecturing/research and research awards worldwide;
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June 1, 2001 – Alumni Initiatives Award Program;
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May 1, 2001 – Fulbright Distinguished Chairs Program;
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Nov. 1, 2001 – International Education Administrators Program (Germany, Japan and Korea); and
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Jan. 1, 2002 – NATO Advanced Research Fellowships and Institutional Grants.
For eligibility
requirements, visit http://www.iie.org/cies/us_scholars/elig_02.htm. For more
information about these or other Fulbright awards, visit www.cies.org.
March 21, 2001