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 took the time to share their thoughts with the School of Education about their time via a Q&A. Following is what Lenka Zgútová, who is from Slovakia, shared about her experience:
Why did you apply for the Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program? I consider this program to be a unique opportunity to experience the U.S. education system, both at a university and high schools. (I enjoyed) being a student and a teacher and learning and sharing at the same time.
Overall, how would you describe your experience? This has been a once-in-a-lifetime-experience. It feels like a dream coming true in many ways: experiencing everyday life in USA; encountering professional growth even after 25 years of teaching in my country; meeting inspiring teachers from 17 different countries all around Europe and Central Asia; working together with experienced teachers from U.S. high schools; and seeing some iconic places and events that I have known so far only from films or postcards.
Is there a particular highlight that stands out to you from this program and your time in Madison? The (Badgers) football game. I cannot imagine a more intensive immersion into American culture the very first weekend after our arrival. And the First Nations Cultural Landscape Tour, the memories of which will stay forever in my mind.
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 would love to introduce and develop the kindness and politeness in school relationships and surroundings — especially the one between teachers and students — and to encourage the cooperation between my school and our local community.
Similarly, what do you hope those on the UW–Madison campus and in the surrounding communities have learned from you? Open-mindedness to new professional approaches and cultural experiences, no matter what your age and health issues are (aged 47, having bone marrow transplantation and still ready and happy to work and live enjoying every single day of my personal and professional life) and willingness to acquire new IT tools so that I can keep up with my students and inspire my colleagues back home.
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.? My perspective before coming to the USA was influenced by common stereotypes that Europeans have about the USA and I had no idea about specific Wisconsin features compared to the rest of the USA. After this program, my perceptions about the U.S. have been slightly changed and adjusted, especially concerning the people and their willingness to help, to interact, and cooperate. And I have definitely fallen in love with Wisconsin itself — its nature, food, unique landmarks, sincerity of people. And now I will conform my life difficulties and hard moments to the Wisconsin motto “Forward!”
Is there anything else you’d like to share about yourself or this experience? Go for it! It’s worth trying no matter how difficult the process of getting here is. No film, no book, no website can replace this wonderful and amazing experience.
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.