Annual Conference for Alumni & Friends in DC

Posted on October 10, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Greetings.

Participate in the “34th Annual Conference, “Living in a Diverse, Crowded World,” by selecting an option that works best for you.

Introducing One-Day Passes

Choose from a variety of one-day registration options to access conference opportunities to fit your schedule. For conference programs by day, click here. One-day pass options follow:

  • Thursday, Nov. 3  —  $40
  • Friday, Nov. 4  —  $135
  • Saturday, Nov. 5   —  $195
  • Sunday, Nov. 6  —  $50

To view all one-day passes and enhanced options, visit our registration web page. Please make the choice that suits your schedule.  For registration, please go to: https://www.fulbright.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=251

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Noche Bohemia: A night with Latino flavor

Posted on October 6, 2011 by | Leave a comment

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association and Northeastern Illinois University invite you to Noche Bohemia.

Noche Bohemia is a traditional night of music infused by Latin American spirit. We’ll kick off the night with a presentation “Identity and Self-Determination Through Folkloric Music and Romantic Rhythms of Latin America,” by renowned Uruguayan musician, composer and journalist Elbio Barilari.

Alba Guerra singing the tango "Uno."

The night will continue with a musical performance by Argentinean singer and actress Alba Guerra who will interpret a diverse program of Latin American rhythms, accompanied by Peruvian pianist Carlos Lee. Food and drinks are included in this night of authentic celebration.

The event will take place on Friday October 14, 6-10 pm. at the Golden Eagles Room of the Student Union, Northeastern Illinois University, 5500 North Saint Louis Avenue, Chicago 60625 (see below.) Complimentary parking is offered on levels 4 and 5 of the parking structure.

Please RSVP to Dr. Alberto López Carrasquillo at a-lopez@neiu.edu by Wednesday October 12, 2011.

A $10 contribution is requested from the Fulbright Association members and alumni.

Sponsored by the Latino Heritage Committee, the Angelina Pedroso Multicultural Center, NEIU and the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association

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Fulbright scholar needs YOUR vote!

Posted on September 28, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Mike Wilson (Photo courtesy Museum of Science and Industry)

Mike Wilson, a British Fulbright scholar is a finalist (out of six) at the “Month in the Museum 2” contest at the Museum of Science and Industry.

The winner will spend a month at the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago (MSI) to live and breathe science 24/7 for 30 days.

You can make Mike a winner! Learn about him and vote for him here.

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Beautiful architecture on a gorgeous welcoming day

Posted on September 24, 2011 by | 2 comments

SEVENTY TWO PARTICIPANTS among Fulbright students and scholars, alumni association members, an IIE representative and three consular officers enjoyed an educational river cruise that showcased the beautiful Chicago architecture.

The 2011 Fall Welcome event took place last Saturday September 17, starting at 3 pm. when citizens from all over the world met to share this invaluable experience. The day was sunny with a 72 degree temperature. A beautiful fall day that allowed everybody to appreciate clearly the different important buildings that can be seen from the Chicago River.

The Tribune Tower, the Wrigley building, Marina City (a.k.a. the Corncobs,) the massive Merchandise Mart, the Willis Tower (ex-Sears Tower and nowadays the tallest city in the U.S.) were a sample of the over 20 buildings that the tour guide presented. The tour ended at 5 pm. with an informal get-together at a restaurant on the other side of the river, where students and alumni socialized and exchanged stories. Here there are some of the beautiful views: (Photos courtesy of Cristina Sisson and Jackie Spinner)

Tourists waving from the Adams Bridge over the Chicago River.

Fulbright students enjoying the Architectural River Cruise.

A magnificent view of the buildings on the way towards the south branch of the Chicago River.

Board members Kari Burnett, Lauren Ostrowski and Stephen Hill.

A view from the front of the boat.

The Civic Opera Building on the south Branch of the river.

River City (right,) designed by Bertrand Goldberg (he designed Marina City as well) and the Willis Tower (ex-Sears Tower.)

A view towards Lake Michigan, to the east. Notice the Merchandise Mart, Marina City and the Trump Tower, on the right side.

"To the right, to the left, in front of us..." Board member Linda Gruber (left) observes carefully

Fulbright students having a good time after the architectural river cruise.

More conversation and fun at the restaurant after the cruise

What a beautiful day! A great experience to begin the academic year.

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Welcome to Chicago with an architecture river cruise!

Posted on August 29, 2011 by | Leave a comment

The architecture river cruise offers information about 17 Chicago renowned buildings (Photo courtesy Michael Lazarev—Wikipedia Commons)

We are starting a new year of activities here at the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association.

You are all invited to the Fall Welcome event in which we will meet our newly arrived Fulbrighters as well as continuing students. This first event of the year will take place on Saturday September 17, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. with an ARCHITECTURE RIVER CRUISE. For more info, check http://www.cruisechicago.com/tours.php

This is really exciting opportunity to get to know each other, meet the members of the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association and to see some of the great architecture that Chicago has to offer. This river cruise allows us to appreciate, from the Chicago River, several of the iconic buildings of the city like the Tribune Tower, the historical Montgomery Ward Complex, the Civic Opera building, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, the Willis Tower, among others.

We will meet at the southeast corner of E Wacker Dr & N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601 at 3 p.m.

You only need to R.S.V.P to fulbrightchicago@gmail.com until this Friday September 2 at 4 p.m. Please, write your name and country where you had your Fulbright. The cost of the river cruise is $35 (bring cash or check.) But it is FREE of charge for Fulbright students.

There is one catch. If you reserve and do not come, you will be charged the cost of the 90-minute tour which is $35. The Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association needs to pay for the tour in advance and there are no refunds if people do not show up.

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This is certainly a small, small world

Posted on August 26, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Lifetime member and Columbia College Chicago journalism professor Dr. Norma Fay Green (right) with Dr. Azia Idrissi Kobaiti in Fes, Morocco, during her Fulbright-Hays Seminar this summer

While traveling on a six-week  Fulbright-Hays Seminar Abroad to study religious diversity in North Africa’s Maghreb (Morocco & Tunisia) in Summer 2011, an opportunity recommended by Chicago Fulbright Past President Ana Gil-García, Fulbright Association lifetime member and Columbia College Chicago Journalism Professor Dr. Norma Green met  in Fes with Dr. Azia Idrissi Kobaiti from the Department of Islamic Studies at Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, who lectured the seminar participants on Moroccan Sufism. Dr. Kobaiti will be on a Fulbright at Loyola University Chicago this year.

In 2010, Dr. Green was recognized at the Dee Sarelas Service Award ceremony for her commitment and support to the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association.

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An educational partnership with Northeastern Illinois University

Posted on July 25, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Elio Leturia, president of the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association, moderating a panel on International Education Leadership at Northeastern Illinois University

Along with Chicago Public Schools, Pearson Education, Advisory Council on Latino Affairs of the City of Chicago and Northeastern Illinois University Department of Education Leadership, our Chicago Chapter was a sponsor of the Educational Leadership Summit II at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago.

The academic summit, that congregated over 120 educators, took place on an all-day event on June 27, 2011.

Dr. Ana Gil-García, a tenured professor at Northeastern University and Director of Membership of the Fulbright Association, Chicago Chapter, was the main organizer of the event.

A panel session on International Educational Leadership formed by three Fulbright students, Tairou Goura from Togo, Yommon Tschinsala from Chad and Mateus Yumamanto from Indonesia, along with Dr. Alonso Villarán (also a chapter board member) from Peru, presented on the educational systems in their countries of origin. Elio Leturia, president of the Chicago Chapter a Columbia College Chicago professor moderated the panel, which provoked a fluid participation from the audience due to its international approach.

The participants who attended the summit were asked to donate a bilingual book as part of the Chapter’s International Book Partnership Initiative.  This project, already established, aims to deliver bilingual books to other countries in partnership with the different Fulbright offices around the globe.

The Fulbright team at the Northeastern Illinois University Educational Leadership Summit II: Elio Leturia, Yommon Tschinsala, Chad; Tairou Goura, Togo; Mateus Yumamanto, Indonesia; Dr. Ana Gil-García and Dr. Alonso Villarán

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So long, farewell, class of 2011

Posted on July 25, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Twelve graduating Fulbright students with board members of the Fulbright Association and guests shared a meal at Reza's Restaurant on May 6, 2011

This year, 33 international Fulbright students graduated and got ready to go back home. Some of them were staying for a little longer while getting practical training.

Fulbrighter Dorine Duives showing her certificate of completion, with Elio Leturia, Chapter President

To bid them adieu and congratulate them on their achievements, on the evening of May 6, 2011, the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association invited them to celebrate with a dinner, as part of our annual Spring Farewell event.

Twelve students were able to attend the event that took place at Reza’s Restaurant in the River North area in Chicago. Reza’s is an established eatery that is known for its Middle-Eastern fare and variety of dishes.

Every Fulbrighter was recognized with a certificate of completion in an evening full of great moments of camaraderie and sharing.

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With “Bringing the World to the Classroom” Initiative Fulbrighters visit CPS schools

Posted on July 25, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Fulbrighter Baqar Sayed from Pakistan talking to Westinghouse College Prep students

“Bringing the World to the Classroom” is a unique outreach program that started in August of 2010. The Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association, in partnership with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and the Institute of International Education (IIE,) matches Fulbright students with CPS teachers in order to promote the Fulbright program and provide opportunities for authentic cross-cultural exchanges. Fulbrighters foster mutual understanding and respect for world cultures and motivate students to become engaged global citizens.

This past year five high schools, one elementary school and over two hundred students from Chicago area schools took advantage of this program. Board members also presented at four CPS professional development seminars to promote Fulbright programming to teachers. Fulbright students from Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Colombia, Greece, Japan, Bulgaria, among others have participated in this program.

This ongoing program was originally developed by Fulbright Association, Chicago Chapter board members Monica Swope, Cristina Sisson and Lisa Vásquez (now in Washington D.C.) This year, Jason Romano is the new addition to the team.

Fulbrighter Farida Abdulhafizova from Kyrgyzstan sharing her experiences with Northside College Prep High School students

Colombian Fulbrighter Andrés Gómez and his wife, Ana, visited Westinghouse College Prep

Fulbrighter Orestis Omran Koukouvitakis from Greece surrounded by a group of High School students

Fulbrighter Tetsushi Imatomi talking to Ogden High School students and sharing Japanese culture

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Theater with Passion

Posted on July 25, 2011 by | Leave a comment

After the "La Pasión Según Antígona Pérez" theater performance, from left to right, Elio Leturia, Ana Gil-García, Javier Ruiz-Tagle, Leslie Parragüez, Vínicius Miranda Bragança and Márton Siklós.

On April 15, 2011, five Fulbright students and board member Dr. Ana Gil-García were invited to “La Pasión según Antígona Pérez,” (The Passion According to Antigone Perez) theater play.  Performed by Aguijón Theater, the play written by Puerto Rican author Luis Rafael Sánchez, is inspired by the original Sophocles Greek version of “Antigone.”

Taking place in a dictatorship in a Latin American country, the play directed by Marcela Muñoz, situates the performance in an impressive setting (newspaper front pages) that represents the control of the media by the dictator, Creón Molina.

Our Chicago Chapter Fulbright Association President Elio Leturia invited the group. In addition to being a college professor at Columbia College Chicago, Leturia is also an active actor in this theater organization.  With 22 years of existence, Aguijón Theater is the oldest continuously operating theater company in Spanish in Chicago.

Raúl Romero as the Generalísimo Creón Molina and Elio Leturia as Monseñor Bernardo Escudero in a scene from "La Pasíon Según Antígona Pérez" by Aguijón Theater.

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