-- A Brief Introduction of the Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad Program Sponsored by Howard University School of Education

Project Director:  Dr. Fang Wu

What is Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad Program Fund? 

Fulbright-Hays Foundation is run by the U.S. Department of Education in Washington DC.  It provides funding for cross-culture studies at all levels.  The group projects abroad program grant is specifically designed to support the American teachers to visit other countries/cultures around the world.  The funding is obtained through a highly competitive process.

What is the group project that the School of Education at Howard University is sponsoring?

The School of Education (SOE) at Howard University will bring 14 elementary school teachers (K to 6^th grade) from the Greater Washington D.C. area to visit three provinces in northern China from June to July 31, 2007 (tentative).  The main purpose of this project is to provide public school teachers an opportunity to experience the rich Chinese culture.  The project will last about 35 days in China and two weeks in the US including five pre-travel workshops for planning and orientation, and one week [equivalent] post-travel workshops to complete and disseminate project products.   

What will the participants gain through this group project abroad?

Participants will visit natural and historical sites, schools, museums, and attend many cultural events in China.  They will also attend 20 seminars that are specifically designed for this group to explore Chinese history, geography, language, arts, calligraphy, music, folklores, traditions, education, food, and many more.  The hands-on experiences will allow the participants to bring back with them the knowledge, skills, materials, and memories that can be shared with colleagues and students in the United States.

What are the project outcomes?

The final products of the project include the following:

• Integrative unit lesson plans to teach about China and Chinese culture.  Participants will form interest groups before the trip and work together to plan their curriculum focuses. They will work in teams during the trip to collect data, artifacts, and ideas for their unit lesson plans.  Participants will continue working on their unit plans after returning to the United States.  Each participant will complete one unit plan.  These unit plans will be made available on the project website as a resource to teachers who are interested in teaching about China.  Participants shall be ready to teach the lessons in the new school year.

• Travel journals: Teachers must all keep a travel journal during their stay in China.  Each participant will contribute a minimum of two travelogue/journals to the project website. 

• Donation to orphanage in Beijing: As a group, participants will make a donation to Beijing Children’s Welfare Institute to support its educational programs for disabled orphans.

What is the cost of the project?

The Fulbright-Hays Foundation of the U.S. Department of Education will provide funding that covers most of the overseas expenses, including foreign travel, seminars, and lodging in China.  Each participant is required to contribute $1,100 to supplement the project cost in the United States and in China.  Howard University School of Education will also make in-kind contributions to the project.

Who is eligible to apply?

Certified teachers currently employed on a full-time basis by school districts in Washington, DC; Montgomery County, Maryland; and Prince George’s County, Maryland are all eligible to apply.  Applicants from other school districts may also be considered.  Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.  Priorities will be given to teachers who have not traveled to China before.   Teachers with fewer than five years of teaching experience are strongly encouraged to apply. 

How will the participants be selected?

Interested teachers should submit complete applications (including all items listed in the application form) to the School of Education before December 31st, 2006.   Faculty members in the School of Education will form a selection committee to review the applications.  Interview of the candidates by the committee will begin in February 2007. Final decisions will be announced no later than April 15, 2007.  Orientation seminars and workshops will start in May, 2007.

More information will be available on the Howard University School of Education's website at www.howard.edu/schooleducation/fulbright2007/

Contact information: