Media Contact
Elaine Guillot
Public Relations and Marketing Manager
Office of International Initiatives
[email protected]
ATLANTA — Georgia State University is a globally impactful institution, championing programs that amplify and uphold its commitment to academic excellence, belonging and community. The Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program (TEA) is an example, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by IREX.
The Office of International Initiatives (OII), Special Programs for Global Engagement collaborates with the Intensive English Program (IEP), the College of Education & Human Development (CEHD) and other community-based organizations like AMIS Atlanta, during the six-week duration.
“The Fulbright TEA program provides an opportunity for international scholars to interact with US faculty, students and host families while we gain valuable information about their countries and teaching contexts from them,” said Susan Ogletree, director of the Educational Research Bureau in the College of Education & Human Development at Georgia State. “The program's impact on students, faculty and the community at large is huge. I always say we learn more from the scholars about their teaching and countries than they learn from us. It is an incredible program.”
The Fulbright TEA visiting educators gain valuable field experience in local secondary schools and engage in community outreach like food banks. These interactions enrich the learning experience and foster a sense of belonging and shared commitment to education near and far.
One participant the fall 2023 cohort, Mohd Syaharil Bin Madlan from Malaysia, was asked the program impact on the local community in Atlanta and if the experience had an impact on him.
“I had a chance to introduce myself, my culture and tradition, and my community from a country that few people have heard of to the people I met during the program,” he said. “The Amis family and friends program helped me to get acquainted with the locals a little bit better.
Syaharil Bin Madlan said he’s glad he was able to experience life outside of the academic sessions.
“It taught me what life in the area is like,” he said. “I also liked the field-specific class where we learned a lot about interactive student-centered classroom activities in teaching English. Also, the general academic class where we talk about culturally relevant teaching, socioemotional learning and Al left a strong impression on me. This is the knowledge I want to focus on sharing and creating awareness in my community.”
The Fulbright TEA program is an invaluable global touchpoint, fostering an exchange of cultures, ideas and experiences that enrich Georgia State campus life and give back to local schools and communities. Participant, Laila Farhana Arin, when asked why potential participants should consider applying to the program, she said, “the Fulbright TEA scholars' program at Georgia State University is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for any educator. Besides instilling knowledge, the teachers, and staff of Georgia State University molds an educator into a teacher leader who is ready to bring impactful changes in the community. The greenery and the welcoming community of Atlanta will make anyone feel at home. Furthermore, the interactions with fellow Fulbrighters will help a teacher perceive concepts from a global perspective. Overall, it is a transformative experience for anyone, both personally and professionally.”
The Office of International Initiatives builds interdisciplinary synergies and expands global opportunities where faculty, staff, students and our Atlanta-area colleagues can collaborate, innovate and form engaged partnerships with far-reaching impact. To explore collaborative opportunities with the Office of International Initiatives, click here.