BOONE, N.C. — Adam Julian, director of international student and scholar services and outreach at Appalachian State University, has received a Fulbright Scholar Program award, which will enable him to participate in an International Education Administrators (IEA) seminar in Japan during two weeks in June.
According to the Fulbright Scholar Program website, International Education Administrators seminars exist to “help U.S. international education professionals and senior higher education officials create empowering connections with the societal, cultural and higher education systems of other countries. Grantees have the opportunity to learn about the host country’s education system as well as establish networks of U.S. and international colleagues over the course of an intensive two-week grant duration. Grantees return with enhanced ability to serve and encourage international students and prospective study-abroad students.”
Julian was selected as one of 10 persons who will take part in this summer’s Fulbright IEA program in Japan. The goal of this program is to introduce participants to Japanese society and the country’s higher education system.
According to Matthew S. Sussman, executive director of the Japan-U.S. Educational Commission (Fulbright Japan), “the objective of the Japan Fulbright program is to promote mutual understanding between the peoples of Japan and the United States.” The IEA grant allows participants “to learn about Japanese education and society, so that upon returning to the United States, they will be able to contribute more effectively to the Japan-U.S. relationship through personal and professional activities.”
Speaking of the value of the upcoming Fulbright experience to his work at Appalachian, Julian said, “Appalachian has a long history of engagement with Japan. Each year, Japanese students and scholars make up a significant portion of the international students and scholars who study, teach and conduct research here at Appalachian. Participating in this grant will help me develop a better understanding of the cultural and social context that our Japanese students and scholars bring to our campus community as well as our colleagues at partner institutions in Japan. In turn, I hope that this increased understanding will allow us to better support our Japanese students and scholars, and foster greater mutual understanding and engagement between the people of Japan and our campus and local community.”
Dr. Maria Anastasiou, executive director of Appalachian’s Office of International Education and Development (OIED), stated, “What a great honor for Appalachian to have a second Fulbright International Education Administrator awardee. I think this is testament to the strong professionals and academics we have on our campus, and I hope more people will consider applying for such awards. Congratulations to Adam for his second Fulbright award!”
Christopher Lytle, director of education abroad for Appalachian’s Office of International Education and Development, was the first Appalachian recipient of a Fulbright Scholar Program award this spring. In March, he participated in the IEA seminar program in Taiwan.
For more information on different Fulbright opportunities available for faculty and staff, visit the Appalachian Fulbright Scholar Program website, or contact a Fulbright campus liaison through the OIED or a staff member in the Office of Research.
About the Fulbright Scholars Program
The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to build relations between the people of the United States and the people of other countries that are needed to solve global challenges. The Fulbright Program is funded through an annual appropriation made by the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Department of State. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations and foundations around the world also provide direct and indirect support to the program, which operates in over 160 countries worldwide.
About the Office of International Education and Development
The OIED is responsible for spearheading the internationalization efforts at Appalachian. The internationalization mission of Appalachian is to develop awareness, knowledge, appreciation and respect of cultural differences in both domestic and international contexts in its students, faculty, staff and the surrounding communities. The university is also dedicated to creating a campus environment that builds the theoretical and practical skills needed to interact effectively in a global society. Learn more at https://international.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls nearly 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.
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