Tag Archives: Fall Welcome

Fall Welcome: Next stop, Ukrainian Village

Posted on September 26, 2014 by | Leave a comment

ukrainian
By Cristina Sisson—THE CHICAGO CHAPTER OF THE FULBRIGHT ASSOCIATION and the Institute of International Education (IIE) invite you, your family, colleagues, and friends to attend the 2014 Fall Welcome.

We would like to welcome you to Chicago and its many cultural neighborhoods.  Join us on October 11th at the Ukrainian National Museum of Chicago, located in the heart of Chicago’s vibrant Ukrainian Village. The museum houses special collections of art and memorabilia tracing the history of Ukrainian migration to Chicago. Guests will enjoy a light lunch catered by the local favorite, Shokolad, followed by a guided tour of the museum. Following the event, guests are invited to visit the many diverse local landmarks within walking distance of the museum. We hope to see you there!

WHEN Saturday, October 11th, 2014

TIME 11 am.-2 pm.

WHERE Lunch at 11:30 am, at Ukrainian National Museum of Chicago,  2249 W. Superior Street, Chicago, Illinois 60612

COST Students and Scholars, free; Guests of Visiting Students and Scholars, Fulbright Association members and guests, $25 (includes lunch and museum entrance/tour)

HOW TO GET THERE CTA Bus Routes: Four routes have stops within walking distance of the museum:
49 (Chicago & Western)
50 (Damen & Chicago)
65 (Grand & Oakley
66 (Chicago & Oakley)
CTA Blue Line: The closest stop is 1.5 miles east of the museum at Chicago.
Metra: The closest stop is 0.6 south of the museum at Western Ave.

PARKING Street parking is available as well as metered parking. Check signs for permit parking.

RSVPs are required. Please RSVP (by Tuesday, October 7th, 2014) using the online form HERE.

The PayPal link (if you wish to pay online) appears once you have submitted your RSVP.

For questions or concerns, please email fulbrightchicago@gmail.com.

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Mark your calendars for Fulbright Chicago events this year

Posted on September 24, 2014 by | Leave a comment

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Fall Welcome. International Education Week. Holidays Reception and Dee Sarelas Award Ceremony. International Women’s Day. Spring Farewell. You can  also find the information by clicking the tab EVENTS 2014-2015 to find out the dates and location.

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Chicago welcomes Fulbright students and scholars

Posted on October 28, 2013 by | Leave a comment
A great Fall Welcome event to start the academic year

A great Fall Welcome event to start the academic year

By Cristina Sisson—ON SEPTEMBER 28th, 2013, the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association and the Institute of International Education (IIE) kicked off the 2013 academic year with a Fall Welcome in the heart of Chicago’s Pilsen Historic District.

Fulbright students and scholars getting ready for the Pilsen neighborhood toor

Fulbright students and scholars getting ready for the Pilsen neighborhood toor

Over eighty visiting Fulbright scholars and students from around the world and twenty Chicago-area alumni gathered on a sunny fall day for an informal lunch  at Simone’s, a unique local bar, located on Chicago’s near south side.  After brief introductions and invitations to participate in future Chicago Chapter events, guests competed against each other to complete a Chicago facts scavenger hunt.

Fulbright Chicago Treasurer Cristina Sisson and President Ron Harvey explaining how the Chicago Scavenger Trivia works

Fulbright Chicago Treasurer Cristina Sisson and President Ron Harvey explaining how the Chicago Scavenger Trivia works

Participants worked in groups on the Chicago Scavenger Hunt

Participants worked in groups on the Chicago Scavenger Hunt

Guests then enjoyed an informal lecture on the history of the Pilsen community by Northeastern professor, Luis Ortiz, before being divided into small walking groups led by local community members.

Participants listen to the presentation at Simone's, prior to start the Pilsen neighborhood tour

Participants listen to the presentation at Simone’s, prior to start the Pilsen neighborhood tour

Participants and guests listening to the presentation

Participants and guests listening to the presentation

Fulbrighters and guests flooded onto the streets of Pilsen to check out the neighborhood murals, community centers, and artist studios while Professor Ortiz highlighted the historical significance of certain buildings, murals, and streets.  It was a perfect start to year of events organized by our Chicago Chapter.

Students and scholars walking on Pilsen streets on a beautiful fall day

Students and scholars walking on Pilsen streets on a beautiful fall day

Guests also had the opportunity to purchase “I am Fulbright Chicago” t-shirts, designed by board member, Elio Leturia.  T-shirts will be available for purchase at every Fulbright event in navy and sky blue for $15.00. Get yours before they are sold out!

On the way to the Pilsen murals

On the way to the Pilsen murals

A great chance to meet Fulbrighters from all over the world

A great chance to meet Fulbrighters from all over the world

Photos Courtesy Ivy Gladys Marischa, Patti Powell and Elio Leturia

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Welcome to Chicago; welcome to Pilsen. RSVP now!

Posted on September 6, 2013 by | Leave a comment
Colorful Pilsen mural. Photo by Adam Jones

Colorful Pilsen mural. Photo by Adam Jones

Pilsen, postcard before 1914.

Pilsen, postcard before 1914.

THE CHICAGO CHAPTER OF THE FULBRIGHT ASSOCIATION and the Institute of International Education (IIE) invite you, your family, colleagues, and friends to attend the 2013 Fall Welcome.

Let us welcome you with an informal lunch at Simone’s, a unique local bar, in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, located on Chicago’s near south side. Then, join us for a walking tour of the Pilsen Historic District. The neighborhood was historically the first-stop for American immigrants from Bohemia (Czech Republic) and more currently from Mexico.  We hope to see you there!

WHEN Saturday, September 28th, 2013

TIME 11 am.-2 pm.

WHERE Lunch at 11 am. at Simone’s, 960 W 18th Street, Chicago, IL 60608.  Tour leaves from Simone’s at 1 pm.

COST Students and Scholars, free; Guests of Visiting Students and Scholars, Fulbright Association members and guests, $15 (includes lunch and tour)

HOW TO GET THERE CTA Blue line to the UIC-Halsted station. CTA Bus Routes 8 or 18 have a stop 2 blocks from Simone’s at the Halsted and 18th St. intersection. Also CTA Pink Line, get off at 18th St. and walk to Simone’s (a mile going west.)

PARKING Street parking on 18th Street or Halsted Street walking distance of Simone’s.

 RSVPs are required. Please RSVP (by Tuesday, September 24th, 2013) using the online form HERE

After you RSVP, please pay online to reserve your spot: http://tinyurl.com/2013FallWelcomeFulbright

For questions or concerns, please email fulbrightchicago@gmail.com.

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Frank Lloyd Wright and the Chicago Facts Scavenger Hunt at Unity Temple

Posted on October 10, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Fulbright students gathered outside the main Unity Temple area prior to the beginning of the event

By Cristina Sisson  — VISITING FULBRIGHT STUDENTS and scholars joined Fulbright alumni members on Saturday, September 29th, 2012 from 11:30 am. -2 pm. for the annual Fall Welcome, the first event of the new academic year.

Linda Gruber and Ana Gil-García met at Unity Temple after Dr. Gil-García’s return from teaching in Egypt.

A packed room of over eighty guests shared lunch together at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unity House, the secular social space of Unity Temple in Oak Park, Illinois. After a welcome by our chapter president, Elio Leturia, visiting Fulbrighters competed in a Chicago fact scavenger hunt that included questions about the Chicago Fire, local museums, and cultural questions such as “What are the toppings on a traditional Chicago hot dog?”  board member Jason Romano led the scavenger hunt and joked that teams received one point for listing “mustard” and lost five if they included ketchup.  Halloween prizes were awarded to the top three teams.

While explaining how Frank Lloyd Wright directed Unity Temple’s construction, our tour guide said the whole structure was made using concrete.

The fun welcome to the city continued as guests enjoyed an informative and engaging tour Unity Temple.  The foundation’s docent chronicled the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright on architecture in Chicago and around the world. Many Fulbrighters took advantage of the beautiful fall weather and walked together to visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s Home and Studio, historical homes, and other museums in the area such as Ernest Hemingway’s Home.

It was a perfect setting to catch up with Fulbright alumni and meet new students studying in Chicago.

Fulbright students worked together on the Chicago Scavenger Hunt right after the luncheon and before the architectural tour.

Photos by Thomas Ahleman

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Welcome to Chicago this Fall: Frank Lloyd Wright Unity Temple Tour and Luncheon

Posted on August 24, 2012 by | Leave a comment

The Unity Temple in Oak Park, Illinois

By Jason Romano — WELCOME TO THE WINDY CITY! The Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association has planned a new year of exciting events.

Detail of the interior of the Unity Temple

To kick off the year, we ask you to join us for the Frank Lloyd Wright Chicago Architectural Tour and Luncheon on Saturday September 29, 2012 from 12 to 2 pm.  In addition to welcoming our newly arrived Fulbrighters as well as catching up with continuing students, guests will enjoy a 45 minute guided tour of Unity Temple, Wright’s modern masterpiece, located in historic Oak Park, a vibrant neighborhood located just outside of Chicago’s city limits, a short train ride from downtown Chicago.

This is an excellent opportunity to get to know one another, meet the members of the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association, and to see one of the many exciting neighborhoods that the Chicagoland area has to offer.

Unity Temple is located in Oak Park

Following the tour, guests are encouraged to visit other historic sites in the neighborhood such as Frank Lloyd Wright’s studio and home, the Ernest Hemingway House, and the Pleasant Home.  Please visit www.visitoakpark.com for an area map.

Unity Temple is located at 875 Lake Street, Oak Park, Illinois, and  it is accessible via the Oak Park stop off of the CTA’s Green Line.  There is free street parking available along the viaduct; there is also metered parking on the streets as well as $6 all day parking available at various parking structures.

Please R.S.V.P using the online form or email fulbrightchicago@gmail.com by Tuesday September 25, 2012.

If you are a Fulbright alum please include your name and country where you had your Fulbright. The cost of the tour and luncheon is $25 (please bring cash or check).

If you are an international Fulbright student/scholar please include your name, country of origin and school that you are attending. It is FREE of charge for Fulbright students/scholars.

If you happen to reserve a spot and do not come, you will be charged the cost of the event, $25. The Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association needs to pay in advance and there are no refunds if people do not show up.

Photos by Theodolite@en.wikipedia, Ivo Shandor, Wikimedia Commons

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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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Welcome Fulbrighters!

Posted on October 29, 2010 by | Leave a comment

Close to 50 Fulbright students from different countries of the world were welcome by past Fulbright recipients and members of the board of the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association on Saturday October 23, 2010 at the International House of the University of Chicago in Hyde Park.

Besides food, beverages and animated conversation, we all had the chance to enjoy the presentation of storyteller Beth Horner, who entertained the audience with interesting stories and tales from Chicago and other parts of the world. Halloween was a good reason for her to share with us some spooky, and in some cases, hilarious stories.

We all left with a great community-building experience and a bag of Halloween treats! (Photos courtesy of Margo McFarland, Past President)

Storyteller Beth Horner sharing her stories, some of them passed on to her by her grandmother

A group of current Fulbright students shared a nice afternoon at the International House of the University of Chicago

Fulbright Association Chicago Chapter President Monica Swope and storyteller Beth Horner after the performance

Fulbright Association Chicago Chapter board member Lisa Vázquez attended the Welcome Event with her baby!

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Fall Welcome for everybody and you are invited!

Posted on October 13, 2010 by | Leave a comment

Come, meet and greet your fellow Fulbrighters! The beginning of the fall season is a great opportunity to get to know each other and get involved with the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association. The Board of our Chapter wants to support all of you during your stay in the United States. Enjoy meeting other local members and current Fulbrighters and share your own stories about your experience.

We have a storytelling concert especially prepared for you, offered by artist Beth Horner.

Where: International House
1414 E. 59th Street
Chicago, IL 60637
http://ihouse.uchicago.edu/
Time: 3:00pm-5:00pm
Cost: For Visiting Students and Scholars, free.
For Fulbright Association members $15.00, non-members $20.00

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