Internationalization of Educationand the Fulbright Program

Dr. Julia Stefanova, Executive Director,Bulgarian-American Fulbright Commissionjstefanova@fulbright.bg

The Importance of Being Earnestabout Education

Education in the 21st century is the strategic driver of progress based on the knowledge economy;

Education in the 21st century is a sine qua non of prosperity;

Education is an element of happiness: health, peace and competence (Pope); love, peace and software (Forbes);

A little learning is a dangerous thing (Pope).

The New Profile of the Educated Person in the 21st Century

Diverse knowledge;Creativity and innovative thinking;

Communication and intercultural skills; global competence;

Ability to tackle unpredictability, uncertainty, ambiguity, non-linearity, complexity, risk;

Ability to manage delayered organizations and networks.

Globalization and Internationalization

Globalization involves changes in the economic, social, political, and cultural environment brought about by global competition, the integration of markets, increasingly dense communication networks, information flows and mobility.

Internationalization is a conscious process, a set of policies by which institutions foster global learning; a way to control globalization and mitigate its negative effects.

Global learning: the knowledge, skills and attitudes that students acquire through a variety of experiences that enable them to understand world cultures and events; to analyze global systems; to appreciate cultural differences; to apply this knowledge to their lives as citizens and workers.

Reichert, S. and Wachter, B. 2000. The Globalization of Education and Training: Recommendations For a Coherent Response of the European Union. Brussels: European Commission.

What Does Internationalization of Education Involve?

A process of integrating an international intercultural or global dimension into the

purpose, functions, or delivery of postsecondary education; the process by which institutions foster global learning.

Olson, Christa L.; Green, Madeleine, and Hill, Barbara, 2006. A Handbook for Advancing Comprehensive Internationalization: What Institutions Can Do and What Students Should Learn. Global Learning for All: The Third in a Series of Working Papers on Internationalizing Higher Education in The United States. American Council on Education. Washington, D.C. (www.acenet.edu)

What Can International Education Achieve?

The essence of intercultural education is the acquisition of empathy – the ability to see the world as others see it, and to allow for the possibility that others may see something we have failed to see or may see it more accurately. The simple purpose of the exchange programs … is to erode the culturally rooted mistrust that sets nations against one another. The exchange program is not a panacea but an avenue of hope.

J.W. Fulbright, The Price of Empire

Elements of Internationalization in University Education

Awareness of the importance of internationalization by the central administration and faculty; mission and vision statements, strategic plans and goals specifically including internationalization;

Education/study abroad programs; Curricular integration with study abroad; Academic and research programs offered

through partnerships and linkages with international universities: double and joint degrees.

Recruitment and active academic and co-curricular involvement of international students and scholars in all disciplines;

Courses with components supporting global learning; Increased foreign language requirements in degree

programs and fluency of faculty and students; Service learning programs for credit toward degrees; Institutional investment in faculty involved in

internationalization; Organizational and administrative infrastructure of

support for internationalizing elements.

Elements of Internationalization in University Education

Incorporation of international activities in the promotion of faculty;

External financial support for faculty and students in international activities;

Connecting the above discrete internationalizing elements to achieve synergistic effects, e.g. international agreements leading to study abroad , double/joint degrees; student and faculty exchanges; joint research projects etc.Yopp, John, University of Kentucky,Lexington,2008. Internationalization Strategies of Institutions of Higher Education in the United States and Their Impact on Trans-Atlantic Student Exchange and Institutional Cooperation, 2008

Elements of Internationalization

in University Education

Mobility

Time-distance;

Ease of access;

Ability to send/receive communication any time anywhere;

Mobility-related exclusion

Academic Mobility

Faculty mobility: teaching, research, scientific and professional fora, institutional exchanges, associations (ACA, Professors across Borders);

Student mobility:

forms: degree/non-degree; inbound/outbound; vertical/horizontal;

purpose: study (degree/non-degree programs; internships; summer schools; service learning; language training); search for better quality.

Global Mobility

Fourfold increase of degree mobility since the late 1970s and early 1980s: 3 mln increase in less than 35 years; Europe’s share – 50%;US share -20%;

Credit mobility statistics is unknown;

Foreign students in Europe: 704 000;

Foreign students in the US: 671 000.

Foreign Students in some EU Countries in AY 2008-2009

UK: 460 000;

Germany: 259 000;

France: 247 000;

Italy: 57 000;

Spain: 60 000;

Poland: 13 000;

Bulgaria: 10 034.

BG Students in Europe

Austria: about 4000 (AY 2009-2010)

UK: 3636 (AY 2009-2010)

Germany: about 10 000 (AY 2008-2009)

France: over 3000 (AY 2009-2010)

Spain: over 200 (AY 2009-2010)

The Role of the Fulbright Program in Internationalizing Education

Mission: Promote mutual understanding and cultural empathy through

exchange of education, knowledge, skills and values; Prestige, potential, achievements:

Flagship US and international program of academic exchange established in 1946;

Programs: Core Fulbright US and foreign graduate student, scholar and teacher exchanges; Fulbright Specialist Program, New Century Scholars; Fulbright-Hays Summer Seminars; US Studies Institutes; ETA and FLTA programs; Fulbright Science and Technology Award;

Over 300,000 alumni from 140 countries; 18 heads of state; 20 Ministers of Foreign affairs; 1UN Secretary

General; 1 NATO Secretary General; 1 walked on the Moon; 36 Nobel prize winners; 60 Pulitzer prize winners;1 Olympic gold medalist, etc.

The Fulbright Program in Bulgaria Administered by the Bulgarian-American Commission of

Educational Exchange established in 1993 by a bilateral agreement between the governments of the US and the Republic of Bulgaria;

Programs in Bulgaria: core student and scholar program; senior specialist program; ETA program; Fulbright-Hays Summer seminars; Hubert Humphrey fellowship; New Century Scholars; Science and Technology Award; Fulbright-Oklahoma MBA scholarship; Fulbright-Thanks to Scandinavia scholarship; Fulbright-CEE Trust research award;

Supplemental activities: advising and outreach; language training, paper-based and computer-based testing (SAT, GMAT, GRE, LSAT,CFA, EPSO etc); biennial conferences, seminars, workshops; binational and regional projects; FISI;

Fulbright  alumni by 2010: 907 ( 479 Bulgarians and 428 Americans).

US Grantees and Alumni by Home

State

Over 30

Between 10-30

Less than 10

US Grantees and Alumni by Host City

Chelopech -

Karnobat -

Pravets -

Svishtov -

Trojan –

Over 30

Between 10-30

Less than 10

Bulgarian Grantees and Alumni by Host US State

Over 30

Between 10-30

Less than 10

Over 30

Between 10-30

Bulgarian Grantees and Alumni by Home City/Institution

Less than 10

AsenovgradBalchikBanskoBlagoevgradBotevgradBourgasCherven BryagDobrich Dolna OryahovitsaGabrovoHaskovoKarnareKardzhaliKazanlakKyustendilLovechMontanaNova Zagora

OgnyanovoPazardjikPernikPlevenPlovdivPravetsRousseSandanskiShoumenSimitliSofiaStara ZagoraVarnaVeliko Turnovo VidinVratsaYambol

Fulbright International Summer Institute (FISI)

FISI is an academic and cultural program created by the Bulgarian-American Fulbright Commission in 2002. 

FISI offers one- or two-week intensive courses in a wide variety of subject areas: politics and international relations; business and economics; law, communication, education, science, social studies, art, culture and Bulgarian studies.

All courses are taught in English by distinguished Bulgarian, European and American professors, most of whom are Fulbright grantees or alumni.

FISI Goals and Results

Promotes the Fulbright idea of mutual understanding through academic exchange and cultural empathy;

Helps US Fulbrighters adjust to the Bulgarian educational and cultural environment;

Promotes international education; Provides unique opportunities for intercultural and interpersonal

communication; Exposes FISI students to diverse educational models and philosophies, and

up-to-date teaching methods and techniques; Offers interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary courses that are not taught in

most universities, especially in Bulgaria; Creates unique opportunities for communication among students and faculty; Offers opportunities for FISI students to practice and improve  their English; Gives Bulgarian and foreign instructors the great opportunity to teach a

highly motivated and diverse student audience; Brings together students from Bulgaria and the Balkan region and creates

conditions for unbiased positive contacts and friendship; Promotes Bulgaria, its people, beautiful nature, rich history and culture.

Fun,

Interaction,

Study,

Integration

FISI Facts and Figures

Since 2002 FISI has hosted 393 participants from 31 countries (plus 100 participants from 19 countries expected to attend FISI 2010)(Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Georgia, Italy, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Macedonia, Moldova, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Africa, Turkey, UK, Ukraine, USA, Uzbekistan)

Since 2002 FISI has hosted 66 lecturers from 35 institutions (plus 24 lecturers expected to teach at FISI 2010)(Academic Training Association, American Research Center in Sofia, American University in Bulgaria, Arizona State University, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Bulgarian National Radio, Cleveland State University, Common Cause Foundation, Florida Atlantic University, George Washington University, Gettysburg College, Graceland University, Harvard University, Hewlett Packard Bulgaria, Indiana University, Media Development Center, National Academy of Arts, National Library "St.St. Cyril and Methodius", New Bulgarian University, Northwest Vista College, Phelps Dunbar LLP, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Technical University of Sofia, TV 7, UC Berkeley, University of British Columbia, University of Dayton, University of Delaware, University of Hull, University of Lincoln, University of Michigan, University of Minnesota, University of National and World Economy, University of North Dakota, University of Tennessee)

FISI 2010 Program Course 01: International Investing: Opportunities and RisksLecturer: Prof. Dr. Chenchu Bathala, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH, USA Course 02: Negotiation and Conflict ResolutionLecturer: Prof. George Siedel, University of Michigan, Ross School of Business, Ann Arbor, MI, USA Course 03: Perspectives on Public Diplomacy and Foreign PolicyLecturer: Prof. Dr. Charles Gliozzo, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA Course 04: Development Struggles in a Globalized World: The Political Economy of Asia, Africa, Latin America

and the Middle EastLecturer: Dr. Ivani Vassoler-Froelich, State University of New York, Fredonia, NY, USA Course 05: American Foreign Policy and the International System in the Era of GlobalizationLecturer: Prof. Dr. Mark Kramer, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA Course 06: Peace and Conflict Resolution in the 21st CenturyLecturer: Dr. Syed Hussain Shaheed Soherwordi, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK Course 07: Logic in the Continental TraditionLecturer: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alexander Gungov, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Sofia, Bulgaria Course 08: Seeing Films PhilosophicallyLecturer: Dr. Costica Bradatan, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA Course 09: The Philosophical Issues of the XXI Century (in Bulgarian)Lecturers: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lidia Denkova and Prof. Dr. Hristo Todorov, New Bulgarian University, Sofia, Bulgaria Course 10: D.A.R.E. --- Debate. Argue. Reason. Examine.Lecturer: David M. Korn, Phelps Dunbar LLP, New Orleans, LA Course 11: Projects Writing and Projects ManagementLecturer: Danail Danov, Communications and Human Resources Development Center, Sofia, Bulgaria Course 12: Introduction to Bulgarian Culture (history, politics, economy, folklore, art and culture)Lecturers: Team MA – SU1 (Joint Program with Sofia University): North America and Europe in the Indochina Conflict Lecturer: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kostadin Grozev, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Sofia, Bulgaria MA – SU2 (Joint Program with Sofia University): Canadian Studies: Culture, Literature and Identity Lecturer: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Madeleine Danov, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Sofia, Bulgaria SRC (Joint Program with Sofia Regional Court): Court-Annexed MediationLecturer: James Kerwin, Harvard Law School, Cambridge, MA, USA NBU Workshop: Words and Worlds of Thinking and ArtPresenter: Asst. Prof. Milka Hadjikoteva, New Bulgarian University, Sofia, Bulgaria

Fulbright International Summer Institutewww.fisi-bg.info

International educational exchange is the most significant current project designed to continue the process of humanizing mankind to the point, we would hope, that man can learn to live in peace –eventually even to cooperate in constructive activities rather than compete in a mindless contest of mutual destruction… We must try to expand the boundaries of human wisdom, empathy and perception, and there is no way of doing that except through education.

1976

THANK YOU!www.fulbright.bgwww.fisi-bg.info