I was wondering if anyone has ever been on, really researched,or knows anything about the Fulbright teacher exchange programs . It sounds pretty good and I was wondering just how difficult it is to be awarded the exchange.

Esperanza,

I say just apply and learn about the process for yourself. In this case, you will know what it is like from your own point of view and not open the door for negativity from others who may have not received the exchange.

I will give you advice that someone told me years ago: "IF YOU DON'T APPLY, YOU ALREADY KNOW THE ANSWER."

I say JUST DO IT.

Shawn

Esperanza,

Check out the following link:
U.S.-Spain Fulbright Commission Home Page

This will give you lots of Spain-specific information about becas, including the teacher exchange. My understanding is that there are only one or two exchanges of this type per year. Part of this is because it is a complicated program to administer: You and your school need to be in agreement to welcome the Spanish teacher, and vice versa. Perhaps more importantly, you need to be willing to swap homes with the Spanish teacher for an academic year. Definitely check into it though if you are interested.

Hi Esperanza. I participated in a Fulbright Teacher Exchange in Fall semester of 2000. I went to the small town of Salvatierra, Guanajuato, Mexico and taught English at an escuela secudaria. I can tell you that the experience is the best professional development I've ever done. I had taught high school Spanish for 13 years at that point. In some ways the experience was frustrating but I would never trade it for the world. I'm so glad I decided to apply and then go. My exchange partner and I still keep in touch through e-mail and I went back for a visit last year.
I was chosen the first time I applied so I don't know how difficult the criteria is, but I suggest you go for it. They have year long and semester exchanges. Actually Argentina was my first choice but I loved central Mexico. You have to apply by October 2003 to be chosen for next year. Feel free to e-mail me if you have specific questions.

I toyed with the idea back in 1998, and back then the only two criteria were really three years teaching experience and a desire to do it. If you can get those two, you're on your way! This thread has rekindled my thoughts of going back, too! Thanks! (Maybe after I finish my MBA next year!)

I recieved some information today about a panel discussion on the Fullbright program at NYU. I thought I would share this for anyone interested:
Panel discussion (In English)

The Fulbright Program: A Paradigm of Exchanges between the US and Spain

Monday, May 5, 6:00 pm

King Juan Carlos I Center
New York University
53 Washington Square South
For information call (212) 998-3650
Free admission

Richard N. Gardner, Professor of Law and International Organization, Columbia University
María Jesús Pablos, Executive Director Fulbright Commission
Alan Goodman, President of the International Education Institute
Morgan C. Hall, ex Fulbright Scholarship holder
Javier Rojo Álvarez, 2003 Fulbright Scholarship holder

Richard N. Gardner is a Professor of Law and International Organization at Columbia Law School and Counsel to Morgan Lewis, a global law firm. He served as US Ambassador to Italy (1977-81) and to Spain (1993-1997). During his service in Spain, he received the Thomas Jefferson Award for his contributions to US citizens abroad.
Current Member of the President’s Advisory Committee on International Economic Policy. He is the author of: Sterling-Dollar Diplomacy; In Pursuit of World Order; Blueprint for Peace; The Global Partnership: International Organizations and Economic Development; Negotiating Survival: Four Priorities after Río.

María Jesús Pablos has been the Executive Director of the Fulbright Commission in Madrid since 1986. She has also been the Executive Director of the Joint Committee from 1986 until 1993. She was the Director of Youth for Understanding (1979-86), a teacher of comparative literature in Madrid and a freelance editor for several publishing companies. She was the elected President of the Fundación Ponce de León (1990-93) and was President of the Asociación Cultural Hispano-Norteamericana in Madrid (Spain) from 1983-86. She holds several grants and honors, among them the Prize FEDEPE (Spanish Federation of Women Entrepreneurs, Managers and Directors 1998).

Allan E. Goodman is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of International Education. Prior to becoming President of IIE in July 1998, he served as Executive Dean and Professor of International Affairs at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. While at Georgetown, Dr. Goodman built the graduate foreign service course and its joint degree programs into one of the top programs for training in diplomacy, leadership, and international relations. He founded the Women in Foreign Service Program, designed to enhance the operational effectiveness of women in international service careers, and the Georgetown Leadership Seminars. Dr. Goodman also served as Presidential Briefing Coordinator for the Director of Central Intelligence and as Special Assistant to the Director of the National Foreign Assessment Center in the Carter Administration. He was Chairman of the Department of Government and International Relations at Clark University (1971-74).
Dr. Goodman received his MPA from the John F. Kennedy School of Government in 1968 and his Ph.D. in Government from Harvard University in 1971, and was awarded a Doctor of Laws Degree, honoris causa, from Mount Ida College in May of 1991.

Presented in collaboration with The King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center of New York University

When I was young, my father applied for two Fulbrights at two different times. There is much paper-work to fill out and an extensive background search.

I was told that it is much easier to get a Fullbright if you can go second semester. Most teachers have a more difficult time getting their schoolboards/principals to allow them to go at that time versus first semester. Good luck!

Just a follow-up to my inquiry. I took Shawn (redwood)'s advise and I have applied for the next school year. My school was supportive and filled out all the applications and recommendations. It is a long process and the next step is an interview/peer review, which is scheduled for next week. I am a bit nervous but excited too. My daughters are my best supporters...they REALLY want to go live in Spain for the year! Unfortunately it is a long process and I won't really know if they find the right exchange partner until the Spring ---it is a long time to wait. Anyway, that is where I am in the process! Wish me luck!!

We're all rooting for you!! Keep us posted!

The interview (peer review) went smoothly on Saturday. There were three teachers ( one ESL, one French and one Spanish) there who basically wanted to get to know me and their questions were mostly what I expected.

Now, if I am not accepted into the program, they will let me know by January; otherwise they start looking for a "perfect match" in Spain. I will not hear from them til May...a long time to wait, but definitely worth it if I can get to live in Spain again! Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Good for you!

And, of course, we will all keep our fingers (and toes if t hat helps) crossed for the exchange to work!

I just received notification that all Fulbright exchanges with Spain have been cancelled for the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 school years. They did not explain to me why they have been cancelled, but as you can imagine I am devastated. I was SO looking forward to it and all was going so smoothly.

Oh, esperanza I am sooo sorry!

We were all looking forward to hearing about your adventures...

MadridMan: Please, don't censor this posting.

Esperanza writes: I am truly sorry to read that, Esperanza! I know you had your appointment with the Universidad de Duesto and your lodging in Bilbao all secured.

You say: "all Fulbright exchanges with Spain have been cancelled." No other Country?? California's Orange County Community College withdrew from the "semester in Spain" programs recently, giving Spain's withdrawal of support for G.W. Bush's war in Iraq as the principal reason.

This is a Political thing! Bush doesn't like Zapatero Rodriguez or the current Spanish Government; the feeling is probably mutual. This is an underhanded way for the Bush Administration to let Spain know the Administration is not happy with Zapatero. And Fulbright Scholars are the 'pawns' in this match!

The Fulbright Program (named for a former Senator from Arkansas) is a Federal Government sponsored program (i.e., someone in Washington, D.C. is in Control). Those people will undoubtedly say that this is a Budgetary decision; but you know as well as I that the U.S. wastes more in Iraq in 1-day than the entire Fulbright program costs in a year.

Eddie, yesterday I got a response to the email I wrote to them asking for an explanation. All they say is that it is because of budgetary restraints. Reading your post really made me sad and then it made me angry! As you can imagine, my whole family was so psyched to be able to go to Spain for the entire year!

I am still trying to figure things out for the summer though...my daughters want us to leave the day after school ends in June and return the day before classes begin in Sept...sounds like a great idea, but we just have to figure out how to do that financially. The dollar-euro conversion is really putting a damper on that plan. I am still thinking about the class in Bilbao for the month of July. That would be fun...but I am not certain yet that Bilbao is the place to spend the entire month of July.

Wasn't the Fullbright Scholarship an issue during the last USA Presidential debates? Maybe it was some OTHER scholarship program??

Seems to me the Bush Administration was stating how they're now giving more funding than ever to the Fullbright program and the Kerry side was stating that while the Bush Administration's claim may be true that the overall number of Fullbright Scholarships offered was seriously cut. Anyone else remember this from the debates??

esperanza, I'm so sad to hear your news. I know you were really looking forward to this opportunity - A REAL LIFE-CHANGER! So sad. So sorry.

MadridMan

Esperanza, have you ever thought about doing a house exchange? Other than air fare, you can keep your costs pretty much what they would be if you stayed home. We've done it many times. Feel free to ask me about it if you're interested in how we did it. That's a real shame about the Fullbright. You might try private foundations for grant moneys. There may be some other way to finance it. Good luck!

Update to the story: I just got notification this week that they found me an exchange in Argentina, if I want to accept it ( and if my school finds the exchange teacher acceptable)! I have to really think about this since my plan was to be in Spain, but I want to make the right decision. It is an exciting possibility!

I thought I would ask if anyone knows about the city of San Salvador de Jujuy in the northwestern part of Argentina? Has anyone been to that area recently? Does anyone have any information they can share with me as I am making my decision. Do you think it is a safe area? I will have my 10 year old daughter with me, so I need to find a good school for her. Does anyone have any suggestions or thoughts. I would appreciate any ideas or recommendations.
Thanks! Esperanza