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China's combination of current dynamic
socio-economic change and long history and cultural
tradition make the country one of the most interesting,
exciting, and challenging Fulbright scholar opportunities
in the world.
Near the end of his grant, a recent
grantee wrote in a holiday letter to friends:
"It is a fascinating place," and "my
Fulbright experience has provided a wonderful
opportunity to be able to see Chinese wrestling
with huge problems, sometimes in very creative
and responsive ways."
He went on to say that he was positive
that spending five months in China "will
be one of the defining moments in my life, but
I am not quite sure how at this point…I wish
I could afford to stay the second semester, because
I am only beginning to have insights to the culture
and to make long-term friends…I hope to come
back frequently in the future." He has already
returned.
Another grantee who had had a previous Fulbright
grant wrote: "It was the best Fulbright I have
had, including the one in Australia. For that matter,
it was the best I have heard of ...All in all, I
haven't learned as much about a place I knew less
about in years. I want to go back now that I have
invested so much in learning a bit of Chinese and
try to figure out a bit about China's politics and
prospects…Put me on the dance card for another
crack at China in two or three years."
A U.S. embassy exchange officer has observed that
the funny thing about the (China) program is that
it is hard to get people here "but then harder
still to get them to leave."
Since the program began slightly over 20 years
ago, several hundred American scholars have participated.
Most grantees develop a lifelong attachment to
the country and its people and say they are fundamentally
changed by their experience. One indication of
the depth and long-lasting nature of China's appeal
is that many alumni of the program apply for second
grants, and an even larger number regularly return
to China using other resources.
Each year 20 to 25 American scholars with expertise
in American history, literature, politics, culture
and society, as well as in economics, business,
journalism and communication, higher education
administration, and law teach for one semester
or the academic year in the major Chinese universities.
All of the host universities participating in
the program are located in major cities primarily
along the east coast. The program also offers
distinguished lectureships in American foreign
policy, economics and business, and law with a
larger stipend.
In 2000-01, grants for research for scholars in
the humanities and social sciences working on traditional
or contemporary China were added to the program.
Grants for lecturing, research or a combination
of the two in public administration or public policy
have been added to the 2002-03 program.
Most grantees agree that one of the most attractive
aspects of their Fulbright stay in China are the
bright, enthusiastic and hard working students in
their classes. As the American scholars share their
knowledge of the United States and the skills of
their disciplines, they learn about China from their
students. Grantees also develop collaborative relationships
with faculty colleagues that lead to joint research
projects, and they encourage and facilitate the
development of institutional linkages between their
host and home institutions.
One of the particularly attractive features of
the China program is an extensive in-country lecturing
program that provides grantees with the opportunity
to travel to locations throughout the country.
A pre-departure orientation in Washington helps
to prepare grantees for the experience and in-country
orientation is held in China at the beginning
of each semester. The second semester orientation
is combined with a mid-year conference that focuses
on professional development and provides an opportunity
to share ideas and experiences.
China welcomes both young and senior scholars
as well as retired scholars to its universities.
Professionals (e.g. attorneys, journalists) with
a minimum of five years of teaching experience
(this can be as an adjunct) are eligible to apply.
Over the years, there have been numerous grantees
with children of all ages, and all members of
the family enjoy the experience.
In addition to what is already one of the most
generous benefit packages in the Fulbright scholar
program, prospective applicants for lecturing
and lecturing/research awards should note that
if the standard benefit package combined with
other income received during the grant period
(e.g. sabbatical) is less than a grantee's normal
salary, recipients of lecturing awards will receive
a supplemental payment to bring the total package
to the same level as the individual's salary for
a comparable period at his/her home institution
up to $100,000.
Applicants should also note that the host universities
provide free housing for the lecturing grantees.
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