“I’ll be your Cultural Guide!”

Posted on July 24, 2011 by | Leave a comment

WorldChicago invited us to a wonderful reception for the Fulbright scholars and researchers who were visiting Chicago the last week or March. The reception took place at the Allerton Hotel, a Chicago landmark, right on the Magnificent Mile on March 30, 2011.

The Allerton Hotel on Michigan Avenue in Chicago (Courtesy Wikimedia Commons)

Built in 1923, the Allerton Hotel was one of the early high-rises on Michigan Avenue. It was right on the 23rd floor of the hotel where the gathering took place. During the 1950’s Don McNeil broadcasted from that sumptuous space “The Breakfast Club,” a popular radio program that started in 1933. Famous Hollywood legends like Bob Hope, Danny Kaye, Ginger Rogers, and James Stewart were featured guests.

The six board members who attended served as “Cultural Guides” after the reception. Marilyn Susman, Cristina Sisson, Monica Swope, Don Garner, Ana Gil-García and Elio Leturia took groups between six and 13 Fulbrighters to dinner. These academics, who were coming from different parts of the country, enjoyed a delicious meal at an ethnic restaurant.

Leave a comment

Posted in Fulbright

Tagged ,

Sharing a meal with the Fulbright community

Posted on July 24, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Board member Cristina Sisson, right, and three Fulbright students she took to dinner to Irazú, a Costa Rican restaurant in Bucktown, Chicago

On the evening of March 25, 2011, four board members of the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association shared a meal and their time while getting to know Fulbright visitors. Each spring, the Institute of International Education (IIE) organizes the Fulbright Enrichment Seminar which invites dozens of Fulbright fellows studying around the country to Chicago.

The Home Hospitality Dinner is a community-building event in which a Fulbright alum takes a couple or more (sometimes ten!) visiting Fulbright students to dinner, either at home or at a restaurant. Monica Swope, Vice President of our chapter, who took two students this year says, “the Home Hospitality Dinner provides me with the opportunity to meet Fulbrighters in a more informal setting and is always a time well spent and treasured.”

A similar event took place the week after, on April 1, 2011 when a different group of visiting Fulbright scholars and researchers were invited by four chapter members to share a meal. They opened their homes to host groups of Fulbrighters who were coming from different academic institutions across the U.S.

Leave a comment

Posted in Fulbright

Tagged , , , , ,

Dance, Poetry, Semiotics, Photography and Painting

Posted on July 24, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Dance piece by Kuumba Lynx

Poetry piece by Kuumba Lynx

Celebrating Poetry Month at International House, University of Chicago in Hyde Park, the International Spoken Word & Image event took place on April 9, 2011.

Dr. Stephen Hill from Northwestern University

Among the activities of our program we enjoyed a presentation on Semiotics by board member Dr. Stephen Hill from Northwestern University (Dr. Hill made Semiotics really interesting and engaging!)

It was followed by a special performance (dance and poetry) by Kuumba Lynx, Chicago Public Schools “Louder than a Bomb” Poetry Slam competitors.

Also, two Fulbright students, Chris Campe from Germany and Guillermo R. Gudiño from Mexico, both pursuing their degrees at the Art Institute presented their art work, in painting and photography respectively.

Fulbright students Chris Campe from Germany and Guillermo R. Gudiño from Mexico presented their artistic work to the audience

Leave a comment

Posted in Fulbright

Tagged , ,

April 9: Celebration of words and images!

Posted on March 18, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Join us for a celebration of visual art, spoken word, and music showcasing the talents of our Fulbright Students/Scholars, Alumni, and Chicago Public Schools high school students.
A complimentary sweet and savory afternoon tea will be served.

Guest lecture by Dr. Stephen Hill, Northwestern University

With a special performance by Kuumba Lynx, Chicago Public Schools
“Louder than a Bomb” Poetry Slam Competitors

When Saturday, April 9, 2011

Time 12-2 pm

Where University of Chicago, International House, Assembly Hall
1414 East 59th Street, Chicago

Cost Free for all visiting Fulbright student/scholars and IH guests
Suggested donation: Fulbright Alumni members $10
Non-chapter members $15

RSVP email Elio Leturia at fulbrightchicago@gmail.com by April 4, 2011
This event is co-sponsored by the International House

Leave a comment

Posted in Fulbright

Tagged , , ,

International Women’s Day and Fair at the Union League Club of Chicago

Posted on March 18, 2011 by | 1 comment

Dr. Joaquín Villegas, Monica Swope, Maria Petrova, Dr. Ana Gil-García, Kay McSpadden, Don Garner, Julie Oh and Ceyda Aykan

The Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association participated in partnership with World Chicago in the celebration of the International Women’s Day that took place at the Union League Club of Chicago on March 7, 2011.

Board member Dr. Ana Gil-García and Elio Leturia, Fulbright Association, Chicago Chapter president

Our chapter also participated in the fair that started in the morning. During this time, board members had the opportunity to promote Fulbright and our chapter and distribute information about our activities and the Fulbright programs.  The fair was followed by a luncheon where keynote speaker Deborah L. DeHaas, gave a preentation “The Business Case for Diversity: Why Developing Women Leaders is Imperative to the Success of Global Companies” in which she discussed the important role of women in the corporate world and the efforts that are being made to offer them equal of opportunities.

Dr. Erika Cook, Maria Petrova, Monica Swope, Julie Oh, Ceyda Aykan and Kay McSpadden after the luncheon at the Union League Club of Chicago

Three current Fulbright students accepted our invitation to participate in the event. Ceyda Aykan, from Turkey, studies painting at the Art Institute of Chicago, Maria Petrova from Russia, who specializes in American Literature at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Julie Oh from Canada, who is pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Photography at the Art Institute of Chicago.

1 Comment

Posted in Chicago events, Fulbright

Tagged , , , ,

$5,000 Prize for Project with Greatest Impact in Promoting Mutual Understanding

Posted on February 14, 2011 by | 1 comment

The Institute of International Education (IIE) is Now Accepting Applications for the IIE New Leaders Group Award for Mutual Understanding.

In 2005, the Institute of International Education (IIE) New Leaders Group created the IIE New Leaders Group Award for Mutual Understanding to recognize the outstanding work of one recent or current Fulbright grantee who actively promotes mutual understanding between the United States and another country. The individual whose work is judged to have the most impact will receive a $5,000 Award to continue the project. The IIE New Leaders Group will select the winner. The project being recognized must be an ongoing activity that is currently underway; it cannot be a proposal for a project to be done in the future. The Award can be for work in any field. The intent of this Award is to recognize some of the best and the brightest young professionals and to encourage them to contribute and further promote their innovative ideas, valuable knowledge and dedication to the cause of mutual understanding with the $5,000 Award. More information about the IIE New Leaders Group can be found at: www.iie.org/NewLeadersGroup

Application Deadline: March 7, 2011

1 Comment

Posted in Fulbright

Tagged , , ,

Funding oportunity for Fulbrighters

Posted on February 11, 2011 by | Leave a comment

The Office of Alumni Affairs is pleased to announce a new funding opportunity, the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF).  AEIF offers alumni and posts the opportunity to address global issues on a local, national, regional or international level. This opportunity is available to current participants and alumni of exchange programs. U.S. missions, ECA program offices, partner organizations, and Fulbright commissions can promote this opportunity to overseas audiences with materials provided in the AEIF PR Toolkit: https://alumni.state.gov/aeif/pr-toolkit

The AEIF competition launches February 16, 2011, and has three phases. First round ideas must be submitted by alumni between February 16 and March 13 on the State Alumni website https://alumni.state.gov . Finalists will be announced by April 4 and winning projects will be announced on May 23. Alumni can submit proposals up to $35,000 USD in the following categories or combinations thereof: democracy and human rights; economic opportunity and prosperity; women’s empowerment; promoting a better environment; food security; global health; and outreach to marginalized communities. More information, including eligibility requirements, is available at: https://alumni.state.gov/aeif

Leave a comment

Posted in Fulbright, Studies abroad

Tagged ,

Chicago Celebrates 10th Annual International Women’s Day

Posted on February 5, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Deborah L. DeHaas

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED to attend the 10th Annual Chicago Celebrates International Women’s Day Fair and Luncheon featuring Keynote Speaker Deborah L. DeHaas, Vice Chairman and Regional Managing Partner at Deloitte LLP.

With 5,000 professionals, Deloitte is the largest Big Four firm in the region.  In this role, Deb leads the quality, client satisfaction, growth, marketplace, and human resources initiative in the region. Her presentation will be “The Business Case for Diversity: Why Developing Women Leaders is Imperative to the Success of Global Companies”

Monday, March 7, 2011

The Union League Club of Chicago. 65 West Jackson Boulevard

10:30 a.m. – International Fair

12:00 p.m. – Keynote Luncheon

$60 – Luncheon Ticket | $75 – Display table at the International Fair (non-profit organizations)~includes one lunch ticket | $100 – Display table at the International Fair (for-profit organizations)~includes one lunch ticket | $600 – Display table at the fair and 10-top luncheon table

Registration is available online at www.chicagowomensday.org.

Sponsored by American Association of University Women-Illinois, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Consulate General of Canada in Chicago, Fulbright Association-Chicago Chapter, The Musicians Club of Women, National Association of Women Business Owners-Chicago Area, Organization of Women in International Trade-Chicago, Ovarian Cancer Symptom Awareness Organization, Professional Women’s Club of Chicago, The Union League Club of Chicago Authors Group, Women of the World, Women’s Business Development Center

Leave a comment

Posted in Chicago events

Tagged , , ,

Knock, knock. Bring the world to your home

Posted on January 29, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Dr. Ana Gil García, board member of the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association welcomes every year 10 students from different countries of the world for a dinner in her home during the Fulbright Enrichment Seminar.

Each year, the State Department sponsorsFulbright Enrichment Seminars throughout the country. The IIE (Institute of International Education) Midwest Regional Center organizes the Fulbright Enrichment Seminar in Chicago and brings over 140 first-year Foreign Fulbright students from around the world together to spend four days in the City.

The Seminar will be held March 24 – 27, 2011.The Home Hospitality Evening will be on Friday, March, 25, 2011. We invite you to open your homes to two or three Fulbrighters for dinner and a short visit. This wonderful experience is a highlight for our students as they are eager to better acquaint themselves with their host culture in the U.S.

Contact Joseph P. Graff at 312-254-3207 or jgraff@iie.org for more information.

Leave a comment

Posted in Chicago events, Fulbright

Tagged , , , ,

Share dinner with Fulbright scholars!

Posted on January 29, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Since 1952, WorldChicago (formerly the International Visitors Center of Chicago) has worked to create a globally competent society and encourage cultural engagement by promoting Citizen Diplomacy one handshake at a time. In hosting approximately 800 international visitors per year, WorldChicago offers Chicago-area citizens ways to be involved in Citizen Diplomacy. Take advantage of the unique opportunity to host 3-5 international Fulbright Senior Scholars in your home for dinner.

Join us on the evening of Friday, April 1, 2011 and open your homes and hearts to this prestigious group of professors, researchers and experts from around the world who are residing at U.S. colleges and universities for 6-12 months. Help create personal & everlasting memories for these scholars who will be in Chicago for a professional conference hosted by WorldChicago.

Contact John Baum at (312) 254-1800 x100 or jbaum@worldchicago.org for more information or to sign up.

Leave a comment

Posted in Fulbright

Tagged , , ,