The next stop in our "Teachers in Bogotá bus tour" was the Colombian Fulbright Commission headquarters. My understanding of Fulbright was as a U.S. State Department program that coordinates research and teacher exchanges. I did not realize it's also a network of 50 international commissions around the world! The director of the program, Adriana Gaviria, said that it's all about connections. She encourages Colombians to go to the United States through various programs such as teacher exchanges and research grants. The program also welcomes U.S. teachers and scholars to Colombia under similar auspices. Another goal is to change U.S. perceptions of Colombia. In addition, bilingualism (Spanish and English) is a key goal of the Colombian government right now, so Fulbright also supports English language development here.
Fulbright Colombia is prioritizing fundraising for more grants. Colombians are sent to study in U.S. universities, and return back with academic expertise. Conversely, they are making Colombia an "academic destination" for American scholars doing research here. Each grantee, whether Colombian or American, then creates a link between their two universities. Fulbright Colombia has also committed to diversity. They focus outreach beyond the major cities where Colombian power is concentrated. They also fund specific cohorts for indigenous leaders, Afrocolombian leaders, and people with disabilities.
I'm honored to be traveling as a representative of the United States. The Teachers for Global Classrooms program that I'm a part of is one of the many ways Fulbright, under the State Department, encourages international educational exchanges. Just as Colombia isn't only what we see on Netflix, the United States is a multitude of stories as well. For decades, Fulbright has been promoting intercultural exchange and mutual human understanding. It's thrilling to now be a part of this network!
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