The UW–Madison School of Education hosted 21 secondary-level educators from abroad again this fall as part of the Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement (Fulbright TEA) program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by IREX.
These teachers came to Madison from 17 different countries across Eastern Europe and Central Asia. They arrived in Madison on Sept. 13, and left town on Oct. 30 for a three-day conference in Washington, D.C., before heading home.
While spending time on campus and around the Madison area, the visiting educators took part in an academic program focused on media literacy, technology, contemporary issues in education, and language pedagogy.
The program included a field experience component at either Monona Grove High School or Verona Area High School. The group also enjoyed some fun activities, like touring the Wisconsin State Capitol and checking out the Dane County Farmers’ Market, taking in a Badgers football game, visiting Chicago, and attending the School of Education’s Homecoming Tailgate event Oct. 7 at Union South.
Before departing, several of the visiting teachers shared their thoughts with the School of Education about their time via a Q&A. Following is what Firuza Khudoidodova, who is from Tajikistan, shared about her experience.
Why did you apply for the Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program? I applied for the Fulbright Media Literacy program as I believed that it was an opportunity to pursue advanced studies, gain access to resources and expertise that is not available in my home country. Moreover, I also wanted to develop cross-cultural communication skills, adaptability, and a global perspective.
Is there a particular highlight that stands out to you from this program and your time in Madison? It is very difficult to choose one specific highlight, as I have had an innumerable amount of new experience and impressions both from academic and cultural aspects. Instructive and encompassing sessions of Digital Media & Technology in Schools conducted by Jeremy Stoddard and Peter Kirschmann have been part of them.
What is one thing you learned during your time in Madison that you hope to take back home and be able to implement it in your classroom and country? I have developed my skills in media literacy and lateral reading. I hope that the knowledge gained here will help me empower my students to be active and critical consumers of media rather than passive recipients. I will also help students question, analyze, and deconstruct media messages, enabling them to become more independent thinkers and make informed decisions.
What did you know about Wisconsin and the United States before coming to Madison? And how, if at all, have your perceptions changed about this state or the U.S.? I knew that the US is home to people from all over the world, which has shaped its society, culture, and traditions. I also knew that it has a significant impact on global culture, particularly through its music, film, television, and technology industries. But I knew a little about people’s attitude to each other and I was a little biased about them. After meeting people in Madison, I have been very excited and impressed by people’s friendliness, helpfulness, and openness.
Note: This story was funded in part by a grant from the United States Department of State. The opinions, findings and conclusions stated herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of State.