What motivated you to apply for a Fulbright award?

With increasing global migration and cultural diversity, interdisciplinary and cross-cultural research on how culture is lived and experienced across families and children of diverse backgrounds has become a primary focus in the field of child development and family studies. Motivated by the unique opportunity provided by a Fulbright Scholar Award, I wanted to gain a better understanding of family interactions, parent-child relationships, and child development in Finnish culture; and, to establish interdisciplinary and cross-cultural collaboration with researchers in Finland.

Describe the importance and reach of the research and/or teaching you did while on Fulbright?

1. I taught a graduate level course, and the enrollment cap had to be increased from 30 to 60 due to students’ interests.
2. I conducted collaborative research and collected survey data from over 350 Finnish participants. We subsequently produced two journal articles, one book chapter, and eight conference presentations.
3. I was also fully involved in several activities representing the Fulbright program, such as volunteering at the Learning Fiesta sponsored by the Helsinki City Department of Education, speaking at the American Voice seminar, and participating in several Fulbright review panels.
4. I was featured in the “Guest Star” section of the University of Helsinki Magazine. Our collaborative research was picked up by the city newspaper the Helsinki Times. My Finnish collaborator and I also did a radio interview with Good Morning Sweden (yes, it's Sweden). Our cross-cultural research generated a lot of international interest and publicity.

Advice for anyone considering the Fulbright award

I had a fantastic experience as a Fulbright Scholar. Through my own experience with Fulbright programs, I would strongly encourage anyone to consider this opportunity to serve as a cultural ambassador while benefiting from this experience.

Accomplishments

I have been actively involved with the Fulbright programs. I am currently serving a three-year term as a panel member in the national Fulbright review committees for both the Fulbright U.S. Scholar program and the Fulbright U.S. Student program. My positive experience had also promoted me to apply for a Fulbright Specialist program. I received this award earlier this year and had just come back from completing my program in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.