What is the largest international exchange operation in the world? – The Fulbright Program, piloted by the United States. The program, mainly for high-caliber scholars, has been running for 63 years and assisted some 250,000 visiting scholars from 140 countries to travel abroad for teaching, research, communication and cooperative solutions.
Last month the US Embassy in China organized a Fulbright Alumni gathering in Guangzhou. During the event an embassy official said the program budget is expected to "remain steady in the coming year" amid the economic downturn. American and Chinese scholars both think that the access to and understanding of the cultures and development in other countries provided by the Fulbright Program are its highest accomplishments and appeals.
The US Consul General in Guangzhou Robert Goldberg (1st from L.) addresses the Fulbright gathering at his house in Guangzhou in February, 2009. (PAS/Raymond Li)
"We have so much to learn from each other."
To the scholars, a high-caliber sense of professionalism is a major attraction of the program. Beyond that, its attractions lie in the opportunities it provides to understand more about other cultures, communities, and academic development, to further broaden their networks and create a shared learning experience.
Professor of Law Steven L. Chanenson currently teaching at Xiamen University, said, "I applied to China for both professional and personal reasons. Professionally, as a law professor, I am very interested to learn more about the changes in the Chinese legal system. Personally, I visited China as a boy approximately 30 years ago and still have warm memories of that visit. I wanted my sons to have that experience as well."
"Living in another country for ten months affords you the opportunity to understand its culture at a deeper level, and my family and I have made many Chinese friends. I have been surprised at the pace of economic development in China. I expected it to be rapid, but things change in China every day. It is exciting to get up every morning and see something new on the street." he said happily.
Fulbright Professor Steven L. Chanenson (3rd from L.) and his family pose alongside with the US Consul General in Guangzhou Robert Goldberg (1st from L.) during the gathering in Guangzhou in February, 2009. (PAS/Raymond Li)
Professor Eric S. Juhnke, a teacher of American history at the Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, feels the same. Now on his third stay in Guangzhou, he said, "I want to have a variety of experiences and understand other cultures, to broaden my life and perspectives – this might be useful when I am back in the States in the future."
Fulbright Professor Eric S. Juhnke (R.) of the Guangdong University of Foreign Studies receives the interview by our staff reporter during the gathering in Guangzhou in February, 2009. (PAS/Raymond Li)
Professor Ching May Bo from the Guangzhou-based Sun Yat-sen University has substantial academic achievement in her stay at Yale University in the US for humanities study in 2003. "My most significant benefit was reading historical archives about China during the 18th and 19th centuries, especially those about Guangzhou," she recalled.
She commented that some American academic operations are worth studying and learning.. Academic standards are maintained to some extent by the fact that different universities are playing different roles. Also, universities there provide resources and create positive environments, to help students and scholars conduct research and study.
Professor Chanenson echoed, "We have so much to learn from each other. The Chinese emphasis on communal responsibility and societal harmony provides an interesting example for the US, while the American focus on individual rights and responsibilities might be interesting for China. I hope that my students get an understanding of an engaged and active form of learning. While still showing proper respect, I encourage my students to question and challenge the legal decisions we study, as vigorous discussions and exploration can lead to a more complete understanding.
A broadened social network is another benefit of the program. Professor Chanenson claimed, "I have met many bright and hard-working Chinese law professors, and I'm discussing potential research collaborations with several of them."
"Many Fulbright scholars want to contribute to intercultural communication and understanding, and contribute positively to the overall US-China relationship. Senior scholars seek to increase their knowledge, both in their discipline and about how that discipline is pursued in China or the United States. Becoming a Fulbright grantee is prestigious professionally, and allows them to join the global Fulbright alumni network," added Ms. Ann B. McConnell, who is the educational exchange officer of the US Embassy to China.
With her experience in the US, Prof. Ching reckoned, "Many American people who don't study China have little understanding of our country. China should set up more diversified channels to encourage American people to learn more about it."
American and Chinese Fulbright professors network during the gathering in Guangzhou in February, 2009. (PAS/Raymond Li)
Americans converge in Beijing and Shanghai, 5 GZ universities enlisted
11 of the 18 visiting US scholars work at universities in Beijing and Shanghai, nearly two thirds of the present total. Ms. McConnell explained, "We strive for diverse geographical representation, but when there are so many major universities in Beijing and Shanghai, these cities are very attractive to scholars."
In Guangdong, five Guangzhou-based institutions participate in the program - Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (GUFS), Jinan University, South China Normal University, South China University of Technology, and Sun Yat-sen University. This year only one US scholar – professor Juhnke – works at GUFS in this South China province. "Final placement decisions require agreement between the US Embassy, the Chinese Ministry of Education, and the Chinese host institutions," Ms. McConnell said.
Other than the geographic orientation, the program has its focuses on scholars naming and disciplines. "We look for future leaders who can contribute to mutual understanding, and we prioritize humanities and social sciences," emphasized Ms. McConnell. "Traditionally, the US-China Fulbright Program has emphasized American Studies and the study of China, but there are scholarships in other fields as well, including but not limited to global issues, language teaching, rule of law, collaborative research, economics, environmental policy and public health."
Professor Ching regards the Fulbright Program is "thoughtfully-planned with humanistic concerns."
Professor Chanenson had his own suggestion, "I wish the Program would select its lecturers further in advance. This would give us more time to study Mandarin before we arrive in China. Through their schooling here in China, my three children speak much better Mandarin than I do. If I knew more Mandarin I could engage my Chinese professor colleagues more effectively, which I think would improve the experience for everyone."
He also hopes that "Chinese universities will make more systematic use of the Fulbright Professors beyond just teaching classes. I have tried to do this individually. For example, I served as a judge for the Chinese National Rounds of the Jessup International Law Moot Court. More than two dozen teams from law schools across China competed in Xiamen last week. It was a terrific experience for me and for the students."
Fulbright Professor Glenn D. Mott (L.) talks with his journalist peer from the Guangzhou Daily during the gathering in Guangzhou in February, 2009. (PAS/Raymond Li)
"The budget is expected to remain steady in the coming year."
This year the US administration has spent trillions of dollars to cope with the economic downturn. About the budgeting pressure, Ms. McConnell said, "We expect our budget (for the Fulbright Program) to remain steady in the coming year."
Former US Assistant Secretary of State for Education and Culture, Goli Ameri, said during her visit to Guangzhou last September before the financial crisis, that the Fulbright Program was planning to expand in order to involve more students from different economic backgrounds.
About how to apply for the Fulbright successfully, Ms. McConnell pointed out, "Most importantly, beyond the traditional focus on American Studies, the program rewards serious scholars who want to conduct serious projects."
Professor Ching also hinted, "The more detailed your research plan is, the better. Candidates should get well acquainted with the archives, resources, and research conditions at the targeted institution, and let the American side know why you are applying there. Your previous cooperation with the US institution, if any, would help."
The vibrancy and warm hospitality of Guangzhou
Each year, two Fulbright Orientations are held in China for new US Fulbright Lecturers. This time it came to the subtropical ‘City of Five Rams.' "The participants were favorably impressed by Guangzhou's vibrancy and warm hospitality," Ms. McConnell said.
Eric "confessed" with a smile, "The city is impressive. I even bought a book of Cantonese dialect to learn the local language."
(By Ronald Li)
Please click here for more details about the Fulbright Program
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