Dr. Rose Honegger will travel to Japan next month for a two-week stay as a Fulbright U.S. scholar.
She is one of 800 U.S. citizens selected this year for the prestigious program. Participants journey to other to countries to teach, conduct research or provide expertise as part of the international cultural exchange program. It鈥檚 one of the most competitive fellowships in the world.
The associate director of Global Engagement at UL Lafayette will have a full itinerary. She will meet with educators and public officials at about a dozen universities and governmental agencies.
A key component of the program is to 鈥減romote mutual understanding between different cultures,鈥 she said. 鈥淎nother is educational collaboration.鈥
Honegger will learn about opportunities for UL Lafayette students to study in Japan. She will hear about ways the University can accommodate students from that country who wish to study here.
Honegger will also promote the University鈥檚 Intensive English Program, which offers courses in writing, reading and speaking for students whose first language isn鈥檛 English.
鈥淲e鈥檝e had interest from Japanese universities that want to do intensive summer programs catered to their students,鈥 she said.
鈥淭he program is for non-native speakers who are interested in improving their English language proficiency. It鈥檚 essentially a bridge program for international students,鈥 Honegger explained.
This spring, 442 students representing 62 countries are enrolled at UL Lafayette.
Helping students from other countries adjust to life on campus and in the community is a familiar role for Honegger. Through the Office of International Affairs, she administers programs and steers students toward services intended to help ease their transitions.
鈥淎djusting to a new culture can be challenging, and many international students are entering an entirely different educational system,鈥 Honegger said.
Fulbright award recipients are selected based academic and professional achievement, and service and leadership. Honegger was accepted into the program after she completed a lengthy application process and received a peer-review panel鈥檚 recommendation.
The Fulbright Program was founded in 1946. It鈥檚 sponsored by the U.S. Department of State鈥檚 Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
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