Only when participating do Fulbright grantees fully understand the highly rewarding and fun experience of the academic programs organized by the Institute of International Education–IIE. They include the pre-academic programs and Gateway orientations for graduate students, and the enrichment seminars for scholars and students.
In 2024 for instance, the Fulbright Foreign Student Enrichment Seminars kicked off with programs in Houston and Salt Lake City.
In Houston, 122 Fulbrighters from 62 countries gathered to learn more about the future of space exploration. Through an engaging panel discussion featuring NASA jet propulsion engineer and Fulbright Alum Elizabeth Jens and site visits to NASA Johnson Space Center, Rice Space Institute, Space Center Houston, and the Sasakawa International Center for Space Architecture, Fulbrighters investigated where we stand in the field of space exploration, the limitations that hold us back, the creativity and collaborations that propel us forward, and the impact of new innovations.
Photo Credit: The Fulbright Source
2023-204 Fulbright Grantees from Greece in Houston: Research Student Angelos Mefsout, and Graduate Students Nikiforos Repousis and Stavros Piperidis -"The event was truly exceptional, while giving the opportunity to rekindle connections with fellow Greek Fulbrighters!"
In Salt Lake City, 120 Fulbrighters from 70 countries gathered to learn more about innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable business practices. An informative and inspiring keynote address about Salt Lake City's unique entrepreneurial landscape was delivered by Carine Clark, EY Entrepreneur of the Year and CEO of Lumio HX. Site visits to prominent organizations including Adobe, WNDR Alpine Design Lab, and the Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity further underscored the seminar theme. WNDR Alpine was particulary impressive to participants who saw how engineers use biomaterials sourced from algae to replace plastics and PFAs in outdoor recreational equipment.
2023-2024 Fulbright Grantees from Greece in Salt Lake City: Research Student Maria Tsakiri and Graduate Student Eirini Stavropoulou -"During the event we had the opportunity to connect with 130 Fulbrighters from diverse corners of the globe. Our time there was truly unforgettable, and we are confident that the memories we've created will be cherished for a lifetime."
Fulbrighters in Houston and Salt Lake City completed a combined 484 hours of community service at 10 different organizations.
Read 2023-2024 Greek Graduate Student Nikolaos Tripolitsiotis' impressions of the pre-academic program at Orlando, FL.
Photo Credit: The Fulbright Source