FULBRIGHT CHICAGO

Dr. Joaquín Villegas, Fulbright Association Chicago Chapter Board member presenting the Latin American panelists during the central event.

Over 100 Fulbrighters and guests got together at the National Museum of Mexican Arts in Pilsen, Chicago this past September 17, 2010 to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Everybody had the opportunity to visit the “Vida Breve: Day of the Dead 2010” exhibit and enjoy delicious Mexican food prior to a very interesting panel.

Monica Swope, President of the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association opened the central event “Bicentennial Independence Movements in Latin America: An Inspiration of National Unity” that was moderated by Dr. Joaquín Villegas. He introduced the members of the panel: Consul General of Ecuador Gonzalo Andrade, Alberto Sanabria from Paraguay, Rafael Romero from Venezuela, Nora Hipolito from Argentina, Salvador A, Cicero from Mexico and Diego Silva Ardila from Colombia.

Consul General of Ecuador Gonzalo Andrade talking to the audience during the panel discussion. Fulbright Association Chicago Chapter Board member Cristina Sisson translates his presentation.

The event was also attended by a high school student group from Ecuador. One of the students delivered a speech inviting the audience to visit her country and delighted everybody with a poem that she vigorously recited. The panel discussion and questions from the audience were moderated  by Fulbright Association Chicago Chapter Director of Communications, Elio Leturia.

A group of visiting Ecuadorean students who attended the event pose for the photo with the panelists Salvador A Cicero and Diego Silva Ardila.

A large audience attended the event at the National Museum of Mexican Art.

Chicken and beef fajitas, frijoles charros and rice, guacamole, chips and salsa, nopales were served prior to the panel discussion, along with wine and refreshments.

Photos courtesy of Ivan Cruz

The Palmer House Hilton Hotel

As part of the Chicago Fulbright Enrichment Seminar on March 11-14, 2010 the home hospitality evening will be held on Friday, March 12, 2010.  The home hospitality evening is consistently rated by the Fulbrighters as a highlight of the seminar, and we rely on the generous support of hosts to make it happen.

We invite you to open your home to two or more Fulbrighters for dinner and a short visit on March 12.  As an alternative, you may host Fulbrighters at a local restaurant. You have preferences for hosting Fulbrighters of particular cultural backgrounds or fields of study. Your flexibility and generosity are greatly appreciated.

We have a good number of Muslim students from around the world (Africa, Europe, Middle East and Southeast Asia) who may require a Halal dinner. In general, a vegetarian meal or a meal with fish is considered Halal.

The seminar will be held at the Palmer House Hilton hotel, 17 East Monroe Street in Chicago. We ask that you provide transportation for your guests unless you are easily accessible via public transportation. If you are accessible via CTA trains and/or buses, we will work with you to determine the best route from the hotel. If you are not accessible via CTA, we highly encourage you to pick up your guests at the hotel or provide transportation between your home and the CTA station nearest to your home.

If anyone is interested, please contact Joanne Forster at jforster@iie.org or 312-346-0026, ext. 205.