Professors To Spend Four Weeks
in Thailand as Part Of Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad
From Dateline (October 23, 2003)
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Ellen Junn, associate dean
of the College of Human Development and Community Services,
and Jeffrey Kottler, chair and professor of counseling,
review paperwork related to upcoming faculty travel to
Thailand. The duo are part of a 14-member campus contingent
that will visit Thailand as part of Fulbright-Hays Group
Projects Abroad. In addition to studying a wide range
of topics while in the country, faculty members also will
be making presentations before Thai colleagues. |
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In late December, 14 professors will embark
on a voyage to Thailand for four weeks as part of Fulbright-Hays
Group Projects Abroad.
While there, they will study Thai education, health
care, mental health and wellness systems, as well as Thai culture
and customs. The group hopes to share their knowledge and insights
to better enhance cultural awareness, and enrich university programs
and curriculum.
“Of course, we have had faculty members visiting
foreign countries as Fulbright scholars,” said Ellen Junn,
associate dean of the College of Human Development and Community
Service and co-author of the grant funding the project. “But
this is the first time we’ve sent a group of this size and
diversity. Thailand was a natural because Cal State Fullerton has
formal agreements with Thai universities in Chiang Mai and Khon
Kaen. Our goal is to share knowledge and expertise between our two
countries.”
Jeffrey Kottler, chair and professor of counseling,
grant co-author and a two-time Fulbright scholar (in Peru and Iceland),
participated in a similarly sized group to Singapore and Malaysia
while at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Since joining CSUF
three years ago, he has wanted to form another group to travel abroad.
Now that time has arrived – supported by $62,000
from the U.S. Department of Education.
To prepare for the trip, faculty members have been
meeting regularly, getting to know one another and learning more
about their host country, its culture, customs and what they may
expect.
“What I find interesting is seeing the way
relationships develop among the faculty members,” said Kottler,
author of the book, Travel That Can Change Your Life: How to Create
a Transformative Experience. “What is so intriguing about
travel is your approach to it. Here we have a group of people, who
in many cases, don’t know each other very well, and they’re
thrust together – living together, eating together, working
together – and they have to adapt to a new place at the same
time. You often build deep bonds with colleagues by facing such
challenges together.”
Not only will the participants be living with each
other, in some instances, they will be staying with local families.
“We have an extensive itinerary,” said
Kottler. “In addition to attending lectures and symposia,
we will have experiential activities: working in rice paddies, helping
in a soup kitchen, visiting hospitals and schools, working with
our Thai counterparts to better understand their cultures and traditions.
We also will have time to attend cultural events and meet with local
people.
“The point is to better understand this culture
and, in doing so, become more aware of the needs of our foreign
students,” he explained. “Often when you’re the
stranger in a different country you realize how difficult it may
be for immigrants to our country.
“We also will be making presentations about
how our educational, health care and mental health systems work
in America.”
Participating faculty members are: Leslie K. Grier,
Child and Adolescent Studies; Leah M. Brew, Joseph M. Cervantes
and Kottler, Counseling; Linda C. Orozco, Educational Leadership;
Kristine Dennehy, History; Timothy J. Brazill, Human Services; Vincent
C. Merrill, Kinesiology and Health Pro-motion; Jo-Anne C. Andre
and Marilyn J. Stoner, Nursing; and Dawn L. Anderson, Ellen Kottler,
Fred Y. Ramirez and Lynda E. Randall, Secondary Education.
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