Mirela Sănduleanu

Being involved in the Fulbright Program is a dream come true for me and it couldn’t have come at a better time for my career. I’m not a spring chick, quite the opposite I would say, and being accepted in the program was proof enough that I can still do it and dream big about it. However, the whole program put together by the University of Wisconsin (UW), following the guidelines of IREX, ECA and the US Department of State proved to be not only illuminating, but also challenging and life-changing.

I was part of the Fall Media Literacy Cohort, together with 21 other fellow teachers from different Asian and East-European countries. We attended a very comprehensive and amazing course on Media Literacy focusing mainly on practical applications and workshops, out of which I picked a lot of useful pieces of information, techniques and approaches I am planning to use in my day-to-day teaching with my students. Many will certainly be a good starting point for staff training sessions, some others still need time to sink in and conduct further research upon.

The program also includes a school practicum component, the in-field experience in a local high school, which helped me getter a better perspective over the American school education. Attending classes, participating in the daily routine of an American teacher and student, having the opportunity to teach some classes in a completely new environment, with students coming from different cultures and backgrounds were challenging enough, yet eye opening and fulfilling!

I would say that the Fulbright TEA Program is ultimately about people. It is about a hardworking and committed team of professionals being there at your every beck and call. A collective effort meant to ensure a safe and rewarding time and space for each and every participant irrespective of their ethnicity, race, gender, religion or ableness. It is an enlightening lesson about democracy, acceptance and equity. Far-reaching and all-embracing!