Tag Archives: Chicago

A weekend invitation, full of art

Posted on October 27, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Janeil Engelstad

JANEIL ENGELSTAD is an artist, curator and educator who, working independently and collaboratively, produces exhibitions and projects throughout the world. She is a Fulbright scholar and in 2006 she taught students how to produce exhibitions, public and community art projects at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava, the capital of the Slovak Republic. In 2009 she produced Voices From the Center: Central Europeans Reflect on Life Before and After the Fall of The Berlin Wall, a multiform project that stemmed from her experience in Slovakia.

Janeil will be in Chicago this weekend and invites the Fulbright community, scholars and students to participate in three exciting events:

VOICES FROM THE CENTER
A multi-form project and exhibition produced by Janeil Engelstad

October 28 – December 10, 2011
Opening Reception, Friday, October 28, 6 – 9 PM
119 N Peoria, Chicago.
Through Voices From the Center, an interactive web platform and group exhibition, Central Europeans reflect on their lives before and after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Sharing these stories through the lens of social documentary and art, producer Janeil Engelstad is creating a site-specific installation for threewalls and has also brought together emerging artists from across Central Europe to create a portrait of a people emerging from one political and cultural era into another.

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In conjunction: UNFREE FREEDOM: AN EXPLORATION OF IDENTITY IN CENTRAL EUROPE
Curated by Janeil Engelstad

October 28 – December 10, 2011
Opening Reception Saturday, October 29, 3-5 PM
Center for Book and Paper Arts, Columbia College Chicago
1104 S Wabash, 2nd FL, Chicago

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Public programs: REVOLUTION, TRANSFORMATION AND IDENTITY: Central European Artists Reflect Upon Post-Communist Art, Urbanism and Culture Panel Discussion with Oto Hudec, Magda Stanová, Miklós Surányi, Matej Vakula, and Jan Worpus, moderated by Janeil Engelstad

Sunday, October 30, 3 PM
Graham Foundation, Madlener House
4 West Burton Place, Chicago, IL 60610

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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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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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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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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.

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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.

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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.

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Elio Leturia elected new Fulbright Association Chicago Chapter president

Posted on January 14, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Joseph Graff from IIE, new president Elio Leturia and board member Cristina Sisson

Elio Leturia, board member of the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association, was elected president of the chapter for the year 2011. Monica Swope, past president made the announcement during the Holiday brunch at the Museum of Science and Industry.

Elio Leturia talking to the audience after being announced as the new president of the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association.

Leturia has been with our chapter since 2008 and is in charge of communications and media relations. A native Peruvian, Leturia got a Fulbright scholarship in 1990 and came to the U.S. to pursue a master’s in journalism at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Three years after returning to Peru, where he was a university professor at Universidad de Lima and design director of El Comercio newspaper, Leturia relocated to Chicago hired by the Tribune Company. A journalist and a graphic designer, Leturia currently teaches in the journalism department of Columbia College Chicago.

“It’s a real honor to represent the Fulbright community,” Leturia said during the Holiday brunch.  Referring directly to the current Fulbright students he added, “I have been in your shoes and I understand your experience completely. Do your best representing your countries, share what you know and enjoy your time here.” Photos by Margo McFarland

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Brunch at the museum

Posted on January 13, 2011 by | 1 comment

First row: Cristina Sisson, Megan Spillman (IIE,) Lisa Vásquez, Monica Swope, and Margo McFarland. Back row: Stephen Hill, Erika Cook, Jason Romano (U of Chicago,) Elio Leturia, Korynn Elliott (IIE) and Joseph Graff (IIE.)

No, it’s not a movie with Ben Stiller. It happened during the day.

Over 70 Fulbrighters got together to celebrate the 2010 Holidays on Saturday December 18th at the Museum of Science and Industry. A hearty and delicious brunch was shared during the last event of the year 2010.

Monica Swope, president of the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association welcomed Fulbright students, scholars and alumni. The objective of this gathering was to celebrate the holiday season.

The event included a free visit to the museum where over 60 Christmas trees, each one corresponding to a different country, were exhibited. These trees represented the various cultures and holiday traditions and were decorated by volunteers from Chicago’s ethnic communities in an exhibit called  “Christmas around the world.” Photo courtesy of Anthony Charles Moody

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