Missouri State University’s Elizabeth Strong has been chosen for the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program for 2023-24.

Strong, director of MSU’s office of education abroad, received one of the Fulbright International Education Administrators (IEA) Awards. They are sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).

The IEA Awards enable higher education administrators to participate in intensive two-week seminars abroad to learn about other countries’ higher education systems.

Exploring South Korea

Strong will head to South Korea June 10. She will have a guided look into the South Korean higher education system, as well as enjoy a hands-on experience with South Korean culture, language and the arts.

“I was motivated to apply because South Korea is a growing country of interest for our students,” Strong said.

“As co-chair of Missouri State’s Korea Mobility and Culture Initiative, I’m interested in learning more about the higher education system in South Korea to foster additional partnerships and collaborations for the Missouri State community.”

The two-week program includes meetings with some of South Korea’s 400 institutions of higher education and visits to cultural landmarks and UNESCO World Heritage sites in Seoul, Buyeo, Daegu, Jeonju, Busan and other parts of the country.

Strong and her fellow international education colleagues from around the U.S. will also engage with higher education officials and current college students.

“One of the highlights of the itinerary will be to have lunch with South Korean students who will be studying abroad in the U.S.,” Strong said.

“It will be interesting to ask them what they’re looking forward to in the U.S. and hear their perspectives of news coverage about the U.S.”

Enhancing her work

Strong sees this opportunity as a learning experience that could benefit her daily work with MSU faculty and students. Missouri State’s office of education abroad assists faculty in developing short-term programs and students who seek semester and year-long study abroad options.

“I’m looking forward to representing Missouri State and the U.S. while in South Korea,” Strong said.

“The Fulbright mission is about mutual understanding between the U.S. and the host country, and mutual understanding across cultures directly aligns with Missouri State’s public affairs mission.”

About the Fulbright Program

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program and is supported by the people of the United States and partner countries around the world.

It is funded through an annual appropriation made by the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Department of State’s ECA.

Part of the Fulbright Program, the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program offers over 400 awards in more than 135 countries for U.S. citizens to teach, conduct research and carry out professional projects around the world.

Applications are currently open for both the 2024-25 Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program (deadline Sept. 15, 2023) and 2024-25 Fulbright U.S. Student Program (deadline Oct. 10, 2023).