When Senator J. William Fulbright introduced legislation in 1946 to create a government-funded education grant program, he attempted to create unity in a world recently torn by war.
"He had this wonderful idea -- rather than fighting each other, why don't we learn about each other," said Janet Haner, Penn State's Fulbright Program coordinator. "The whole idea is to go there, learn more about your discipline, learn more about culture and take that home with you."
This year 12 Penn State faculty members were awarded Fulbright grants, which will allow them to lecture and research at international universities.
Administered by the Bureau of Educational and Public Affairs, the program is funded by the U.S. Congress with additional support from foreign governments, institutions, corporations and foundations.
The program is active in more than 155 countries throughout the world, and this year's recipients will be going to places like Chile, Taiwan, Germany and Ireland, representing a range of subject areas from chemistry to political science.
Elizabeth Skowron, an associate professor of education at Penn State, is one of the grant recipients. Her fellowship will take place during the upcoming spring semester at the National University of Ireland, Galway, where she will lecture and conduct research related to family therapy and intervention.
"I chose Ireland because many of my ancestors are Irish, and they came over shortly after the famine about 150 years ago," Skowron said. "I do family therapy, so going over to my ancestral home is something pretty special."
Jamie Lawrence, public affairs officer at the Office of Academic Exchange Programs with the U.S. Department of State, said the program is the flagship international education exchange program for the U.S. government.
"This is really a cultural immersion, especially if you're doing a research project and out in the field working," Lawrence said. "Our hope is that once they've had that experience, they will come back and inspire their students to apply for student grants."
Skowron said she is looking forward to bringing her family to Ireland shortly after the winter holidays.
"We're actually very excited," Skowron said. "The 7-year-old plays violin, and he'll continue in Galway. It's an incredible opportunity to go on a cultural exchange."
