Senator J. William Fulbright (1905-1995)

2. Fulbright Scholar Program Senator J. William Fulbright (1905-1995) • Established in 1946 • Sends U.S. academics and professionals overseas • Brings scholars and professionals from abroad to the U.S. • Sponsored by U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs • Administered by the Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES) “International education exchange is the most significant current project designed to continue the process of humanizing mankind to the point, we would hope, that nations can learn to live in peace.”

3. Fulbright Scholar 2005 Cynthia Richards • Professor • Department of English • Wittenberg University, Springfield, Ohio • English and American Literature • Visiting Lecturer • Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic • American Literature in Relief: A Cross-Cultural Perspective

4. Why I Chose to Apply Professional Development: Opportunity to work with colleagues in the field, as well as develop new relationships for myself and my institution Exposure to Different Culture and People: Access to a different approaches and methodologies on my academic field Make a Difference: Chance to contribute to the host country as well as bring that expertise back into my own classroom Prestige: Recognition of scholarship and cultural ambassador for American public Family: Opportunity to travel abroad with my family and to expose my young children to a different culture

5. American Literature in Relief : A Cross –Cultural Perspective • Lecture:4 undergraduate level classes of 15-25 students each • Courses: • Survey of American Literature • Genres: Romance • Transatlantic Literature • The Structure of the Monstrous Public Lectures: “Anger and the Liberated Girl: Mary Wollstonecraft’s Early Writings and the Troubled Girlhood of Feminism” Published Interviews: “The Monstrous in American Culture,” Cine Pur (39) Spring 2005

6. www.cies.org/ambassadors/cynthiarichards

7. Professional and Personal Outcomes Expanded Curriculum: Introduced Czech literature into my courses and developed a deeper understanding of what is uniquely American about my native literature. Flexibility: Living and working in a different environment and culture enhanced my understanding of that part of the world and of my own country Collaborative Opportunities: Met new colleagues and further developed relationships with peers in my field. Currently developing with a colleague from Palacky University a summer study abroad program in Olomouc, Czech Republic. Improved Teaching Skills: Challenge of teaching students from another culture honed my communication skills in the classroom and reaffirmed my commitment to teaching literature from a cross-cultural perspective.

8. Institutional Impact Curriculum Development: Developed new course and incorporated more international material into existing courses.  Study Abroad: Advocated for study abroad programs. Became a member of the Field Studies Committee, overseeing study abroad programs and promoting their value on campus. Student Advisor: Improved my ability to work individually with students studying abroad and led to a student teaching in the Slovak Republic. Public Lecture: Gave a departmental colloquium on experiences teaching in the Czech Republic.

9. Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES) U.S. SCHOLAR Programs offer U.S. faculty, administrators and professionals grants to lecture, conduct research in a wide variety of academic and professional fields, or to participate in seminars Traditional • Specialists • New Century • Chairs • IEA Seminars • German Studies NON-U.S. SCHOLAR Programs support the research and teaching of scholars visiting colleges and universities in the United States. These programs offer joint collaborative opportunities with U.S. Scholars. Traditional • Visiting Specialists • New Century • Scholar-in-Residence • Occasional Lecturer • European Scholar-in-Residence • AHEC Opportunities for U.S. Institutions allow campuses to host Fulbright Visiting Scholars and professionals from abroad to lecture at U.S. colleges and universities. Scholar-in-Residence • Visiting Specialists • Occasional Lecturer • European Scholar-in-Residence www.cies.org

10. Other Fulbright Programs Fulbright U.S. Student Program • For recent graduates, postgraduate candidates up through dissertation level and developing professionals and artists to study and research abroad • Administered by Institute of International Education, IIE www.fulbrightonline.org/us Fulbright Teacher and Administrator Exchange • Principally for primary- and secondary- level educators www.fulbrightexchanges.org Fulbright-Hays Awards • For faculty research, group projects and seminars abroad in certain social sciences and humanities fields • Administered by the International Education and Graduate Programs Service of the U.S. Department of Education www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/iegps