Through the work of the United States-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission, the United States and Sri Lanka support and encourage academic exchanges between both countries. This week, 100 Sri Lankan students and scholars attended a pre-departure orientation hosted by the Fulbright Commission and EducationUSA, preparing them for success in their educational pursuits at universities across the United States.
Among the attendees were recipients of prestigious Fulbright grants, the U.S. government’s premier international education exchange award. This year’s cohort includes five Fulbright Scholars, five Fulbright Master’s Scholarship Awardees, schoolteachers in the Fulbright Teaching and Excellence Achievement Program, and promising professionals participating in the Fulbright Humphrey Awards. These impressive Fulbright grant recipients will attend esteemed institutions – such as Georgetown University, UCLA, and North Carolina State University, studying diverse fields like law, linguistics, traffic safety, entrepreneurship, and rice cultivation.
Speaking to students at the orientation, Heidi Hattenbach, the Counselor for Public Affairs at the U.S. Embassy and board chair for the Fulbright Commission, emphasized the importance of these exchanges, stating, “I’m thrilled that you’ve chosen the United States to continue your educational journey. These coming years will bring so much learning and so many new opportunities. But educational exchanges aren’t just about biology or astrophysics; they also enrich and strengthen the people-to-people ties that are the heart of the U.S.-Sri Lanka relationship. In addition to focusing on your studies, I hope that you will share Sri Lankan culture and traditions with all you meet, fostering mutual understanding and appreciation between our countries.”
Nearly 90 students who utilized EducationUSA advising services to plan their studies in the United States also participated in the orientation, many of whom received funding support from U.S. universities. Two attendees also received crucial assistance through the EducationUSA Opportunity Fund Program, which helps highly qualified international students overcome economic obstacles during the application process. One is pursuing a PhD in Chemistry at Wayne State University and the other a PhD in Anthropology at the University of Connecticut.
Patrick McNamara, PhD, Executive Director of the United States-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission highlighted the transformative impact of these exchanges, saying, “These remarkable scholars and students exemplify the profound impact that academic exchanges can have. Upon their return, they will continue the legacy of other Fulbright alumni who are using their experiences to benefit Sri Lanka. Through our bi-national Fulbright program, we create bridges of mutual understanding and interconnection between the people of the U.S. and Sri Lanka. In a world that can sometimes appear divided, we are delighted that US-SLFC can play a positive role in building peace through exchanges.”