I am thrilled to receive a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award to Japan for the 2024-2025 academic year from the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.
I will teach food and diplomacy with a Fulbright Scholar grant from September 7, 2024, to July 6, 2025. During a two-day orientation in Tokyo, September 9-10, I will be able to meet other Fulbrighters in Japan and learn about culture and customs in addition to complete visa paperwork.
My project advances cross-cultural understanding between the U.S. and Japan through food, language, and culture. During my 10-month scholarship, I will be affiliated with Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT), west of Tokyo in Koganei and Fuchu. I will teach my own class on food and diplomacy and co-teach three courses on communication and technology, diversity and inclusion, and English. Also, I will present as guest speaker for a conference hosted on campus. I will be at TUAT for 5 months September 2024 to March 2025.
For the second 5 months, March 2025 to July 2025, I will be at University of Ryukyus in Okinawa and teach three courses on American literature and give seminars for faculty. At both universities, I will be able to make contacts for future research and conferences.
Since 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided talented and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals with the opportunity to study, teach, and conduct research abroad. Notable Fulbrighters include 62 Nobel Laureates, 89 Pulitzer Prize winners, 80 MacArthur Fellows, 41 heads of state or government, and thousands of leaders across the private, public, and non-profit sectors.
In 2018, Keri was a Fulbright Scholar and taught English for tourism in Honduras at Universidad Pedagogica Nacional Francisco Morazan, Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Read her exciting stories and cultural observations in Honduras.
The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international exchange program and is designed to build lasting connections between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The Fulbright Program is funded by the U.S. Government. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations, and foundations around the world also provide direct and indirect support to the program.
The Fulbright is an incredibly versatile award allowing scholars to travel to over 160 countries to study, do research, or teach English. In the United States, the Institute of International Education implements the Fulbright U.S. Student and U.S. Scholar Programs on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. For more information about the Fulbright Program, visit its website.
While the application process is extensive, and this is my eighth year trying, one application allowed per year, I have found the introspection rewarding, giving me a deeper understanding of my own interests and passions. Prospective applicants should work with their university office of fellowships as they go through the process. Deadlines begin in early August.
Upon returning to the U.S., I will share my stories and support international exchange, inviting foreign scholars to campus and encouraging colleagues and students to go abroad. My trajectory under the Fulbright is captivating! It will be a dynamic schedule as well as a demanding one.
