Fulbright Gateway Orientation Wayne State University August 6-10, 2018 This activity is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs as part of the Fulbright Program, the U.S. government’s flagship international exchange program supported by the people of the United States and partner countries around the world. For more information, visit fulbright.state.gov. This activity is administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE). The Fulbright Gateway Orientation Program is a benefit made available to foreign Fulbright student grantees arriving in the U.S. It is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), as part of its flagship Fulbright Program, and designed by the Institute of International Education (IIE). The Gateway Orientation is intended to address two main components: 1) the participants’ roles and responsibilities as Fulbrighters and 2) skill development for successful academic and professional lives in the U.S. As Fulbrighters: The Gateway Orientation Program provides an overview of the Fulbright Program, administration of grants and students’ rights and responsibilities as exchange visitors. The Program also aims to provide professional development activities and leadership training to Fulbright students. As foreign students: Participants should receive an introduction to the U.S. academic system and culture as part of the overall goal of promoting mutual understanding and to assist with their entry into their U.S. academic programs. Gateway Orientations are an opportunity for Fulbright grantees to experience and learn about regional culture and highlights. Orientation Sponsor United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Washington, DC Host Institution Wayne State University Fareed Shalhout Orientation Coordinator Office of New Student Orientation Wayne State University Jaclyn Assarian Associate Director, International Programs Wayne State University Ahmad Ezzeddine Associate Vice President, Educational Outreach and International Programs Wayne State University Institute of International Education Name of participating Staff [TBD] Title Division AMIDEAST/LASPAU Name of participating Staff [TBD] Title August 6, 2018 Throughout the day Participant arrival WSU will coordinate transportation from Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) to campus. Students will check-in and have a chance to settle in after their long day of travel. Welcome packets and snacks will be available. 7:00 pm Welcome dinner McGregor Conference Center Wayne State University WSU will host students and participating staff from all agencies on our campus to welcome everyone to Detroit. There will be remarks from WSU and IIE staff. This will provide students and staff a chance to get acquainted and network before orientation begins. During dinner, program staff will provide a preliminary review of the first day’s agenda so students are prepared. August 7, 2018 8:00 am – 8:45 am Breakfast Towers Café (on campus) Breakfast will be provided in the cafeteria located in the Towers Residence Hall. Students will simply need to swipe their OneCards to enter the cafeteria. 9:00 am – 9:30 am Welcome Remarks & Agenda Student Center Ballroom Overview Ahmad Ezzeddine Associate Vice President, Educational Outreach and International Programs Wayne State University Fareed Shalhout Orientation Coordinator, Office of New Student Orientation Wayne State University [Fulbright staff – to be determined] Wayne State University will take this opportunity to welcome all again to our campus to kickoff our first full day of programming. Fareed Shalhout will provide a more thorough overview of the agenda for the complete program. 9:30-10:30 am Fulbright Remarks/Overview Student Center Ballroom [Fulbright staff - to be determined] Fulbright staff from IIE, AMIDEAST and LASPAU will have the opportunity to review the details of students’ Fulbright awards. If representatives from all agencies are present (as expected), students will be divided into groups by their respective implementing agencies. 10:30-10:45 am Break 10:45-10:50 a.m. [Transition time] 10:45 a.m.-12 p.m. Networking Activity Student Center Ballroom Wayne State University staff As students begin to settle into their Fulbright experience, WSU will use this time to give students tools to build their Fulbright networks here in the United States. This will include an ice breaker activity followed by a networking activity. Also, for the purpose of the Fulbright Gateway orientation, it is intended that this will allow students to start to get to know each other before three days of interactive programming. 12-1 p.m. Lunch Student Center Ballroom Lunch will be provided on-site in the ballroom at this time. 1-1:05 p.m. [Transition time] 1:05-2:05 p.m. US Academic Culture Student Center Ballroom Naimah Wade, PhD Program Manager, Educational Outreach & International Programs Wayne State University Session: In this session, presenters will provide participants with an overview of academic culture in the US. The diversity of US higher education, its classroom culture, and the resources available to students vary greatly from most other countries. With that in mind, key takeaways from this session will include strategies to successfully navigate their American host campuses and what resources will likely be at their disposal throughout their studies. In addition, this session will cover both classroom culture on US college campuses and issues related to academic integrity. In an interactive, discussion-based session, Fulbright students will participate in a presentation and discussion of: ● The variety of classroom settings they may encounter and the differences between them (labs, lectures, seminars, discussion sections, etc.) ● Evaluation methods for different types of academic work (exams, written assignments, presentations, group projects) and the US grading system (4 point scale) ● Expectations they will likely encounter as students, such as classroom participation in a more informal setting than what is typical in most other countries. ● Key relationships, for example, with academic advisors, instructors, faculty, fellow students and peers, as well as administrative staff who support international students and scholars on campus. ● Definitions of and issues surrounding academic integrity - and resources available to prevent unintentional violations thereof. The session will provide specific information for Masters and PhD students, as well as guidance pertinent to different areas of study (e.g. STEM, social sciences, humanities, etc.). 2:05-2:10 p.m. [Transition time] 2:10-3:30 p.m. Fulbright graduate student group discussions Student Center Ballroom Ann-Marie Cano, PhD Professor, Psychology Associate Dean, Student Services Graduate School Wayne State University Session: IIE will identify Fulbright graduate students entering their 2nd year to assist with Fulbright Gateway orientation. This group of peers will serve as an invaluable resource as they share their experiences so far and act as guides to the newly arrived Fulbrighters about to begin the same journey. To maximize their knowledge, Wayne State will break students into groups based on level (masters vs. PhD) and academic areas. These groups will facilitate a question and answer session in which 2nd year students will serve as panelists, describing their own experiences so far and answering questions from new Fulbright students. It is expected that panelists will discuss a wide range of topics, but Wayne State intends to provide some to students, including sharing their culture with Americans, the Fulbright network, working with faculty/advisors on your campus, maximizing Fulbright networks and resources. WSU would also encourage students to discuss culture shock and homesickness, managing expectations from home, time management and managing academic responsibilities and a social life. 3:30-3:45 p.m. Break 4-7 p.m. Arab American National Museum and discussion with ACCESS Arab American National and Dinner Museum, Dearborn, MI Devon Akmon Director, Arab American National Museum Cultural visit: In coordination with ACCESS, Fulbright students and participating staff will visit the Arab American National Museum (AANM), located in Dearborn Michigan, about 20 minutes from campus by car. Southeastern Michigan is home to one of the largest Middle Eastern populations in the United States. AANM, a Smithsonian museum, is the first and only museum in the US devoted to Arab American history and culture. This museum illustrates the diversity of the Arab American community as well as its contributions. Additionally, it is a vibrant portrayal of the immigrant experience more generally in the US at various times throughout the 20th century. This visit will include dinner at the museum. August 8, 2018 8:00 am – 8:45 am Breakfast Towers Café (on campus) Breakfast will be provided in the cafeteria located in the Towers Residence Hall. Students will simply need to swipe their OneCards to enter the cafeteria. 8:45-9:15 am Ice breaker activity Student Center Ballroom Wayne State student ambassadors This brief activity will get students engaged for a long, enriching day of interactive sessions. 9:15-10:45 am Cross cultural understanding/adjustment Student Center Ballroom Donyale Padgett, PhD Associate Professor, Department of Communication Wayne State University Session: Using each other’s differences as a starting point, this discussion-based, interactive