Fulbright Gateway Orientations Fulbright Gateway orientations, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) as part of its flagship Fulbright Program, are a benefit made available to first-year Fulbright foreign students upon their arrival in the U.S. Gateways provide an overview of the Fulbright program, its goals, student responsibilities and specifics of U.S. academic and cultural life. Gateway orientations also help students develop a sense of the Fulbright identity and provide a global network of fellow Fulbright foreign students from over 155 countries who will study at colleges/universities across the United States. The three main components of these orientations are: 1) academic skills, 2) U.S. graduate student life and 3) cross-cultural awareness, including organized social and cultural activities. There is no English language component. English language training for incoming Fulbright foreign students is provided under various pre-academic programs. The Gateway orientations typically last five days – an arrival day, three core days, and a departure day. Sessions focus on an overview of the Fulbright Program, students’ rights and responsibilities as exchange visitors in the U.S., professional development activities and leadership training. The program also introduces Fulbright foreign students to the U.S. academic system and U.S. culture and promotes their successful entry into U.S. academic programs. Gateway orientations are an early opportunity for Fulbright students to experience and learn about a different region of the U.S. than where their U.S. college or university is located. Each Gateway is designed to help Fulbrighters maximize their exchange experience through a combination of interactive presentations, workshops, networking and cultural activities. In October of 2011, the first ever Fulbright Pakistan Gateway Orientation was held at the University of Texas at Austin. Learn more about the Pakistan Gateway. Networking and Leadership…I think this was the first time I met with people from so many different countries and backgrounds, and within 3 days we were good friends and we still communicate. Someday, most of us will be leaders in our fields and then still this bond will work. I am glad about it. The best way to learn about other countries and cultures is to make friends with people.
- Fulbright Student from Nepal at the Gateway in Iowa
It is an extraordinarily rewarding experience to be able to meet such an amazing group of people. And even now, some months after, I keep regularly in touch with several of them and meet the ones living in the same metro area quite often. Overall, I am not able to think of a better way to start my program in the USA.
- Fulbright Student from Portugal at the Gateway in Nebraska
…it provided me with a valuable opportunity to network with Fulbrighters worldwide and make friends with these amazing people. Also, a valuable experience to exchange views with professors and people in the Fulbright program.
-Fulbright Student from Indonesia at the Lincoln University Gateway Gateway orientations are the first opportunity for Fulbrighters to meet their counterparts from other countries and begin building important networks, in short, to become part of the Fulbright community. Through structured networking activities participants meet each other and begin forming useful relationships. These relationships can serve as informal support structures for Fulbrighters through the duration of their grants and long after grant completion. Activities and sessions at Gateway orientations are also designed to help participants apply their leadership abilities in their academic, professional and social lives.  |  | | Fulbrighters on a cruise in Biscayne Bay in Miami | Fulbright students discuss their academic and personal
goals at the Miami Gateway |
Academic Success
The session on "Understanding U.S. Academic Culture" was essential because it introduced me to a completely different educational system.
– Fulbright Student from Italy at the Lincoln University Gateway
… I felt it prepared me for my University environment and what to expect academically as well as culturally.
-Fulbright Student from South Africa at the Boulder Gateway Academic culture in U.S. is very different to that in my country so evaluation of that topic has already helped me a lot.
– Fulbright Student from Poland at the Nebraska Gateway Gateway orientations introduce Fulbright foreign students to the U.S. academic system, preparing them to meet the academic challenges of their host institutions. Additionally, Gateways provide strategies for managing key academic and professional relationships, including with university faculty, administrators, and with fellow students. Participants receive an overview of U.S. university culture and the seminar method of instruction. Gateways also ensure that participants have a clear understanding of academic integrity and plagiarism policies at U.S. academic institutions. Fulbright foreign students learn how to take advantage of important academic resources available at U.S. academic institutions, including writing labs, libraries and online tools. Gateways provide important skill-development workshops, such as time and stress management, which help students cope with vigorous academic schedules, while still experiencing the social and cultural rewards of an exchange program.  |  | Fulbright students share their exchange
experience with Gateway participants of the
Iowa Gateway | Problem solving during a Gateway workshop in
Iowa |
Acclimation and Cultural Adjustment
…The Gateway is essential and beneficial to any Fulbrighter's overall Fulbright experience because it performs a connecting role between home country life and life in the U.S.A. Also, we can get to know American culture better from the Gateway in order to pass through culture shock peacefully and smoothly.
-Fulbright Student from China at the Boulder Gateway
It provides a smooth transition into a completely new life, basically. It is relieving to recognize that there is somebody to care for you and other students in the same situation as you are upon arriving in this foreign country. Most of the information provided at the orientation was valuable, helpful, or interesting. Thank you very much for providing international Fulbrighters with such a great experience.
-Fulbright Student from Germany at the Gateway in Berkeley Since the day you arrive and meet so many people from so many different cultures that are going to have a Fulbright experience too, you know you're not alone and automatically feel that you are where you are supposed to be.
-Fulbright Student from the Dominican Republic at the Berkeley Gateway The success of the Fulbright Program depends on participants’ ability to understand and adjust to U.S. culture. Gateway orientations aid in the acculturation process by providing Fulbright foreign students with an introduction to U.S. social, academic and political culture. Gateway participants learn about their legal rights and responsibilities as exchange visitors and Fulbright program policy, including the appropriate procedures for maintaining legal status in the U.S. Each Gateway orientation includes an overview of the Accident and Sickness Prevention program for Exchanges (ASPE), as well as general information for navigating the U.S. healthcare system. The cross-cultural workshop at each Gateway Orientation helps Fulbright foreign students identify and manage the emotional and psychological effects of living in a new culture and thereby successfully navigate some of the common challenges that exchange visitors experience. Each Gateway also includes informal group discussions with current Fulbright foreign students, who have completed a year or more of study in the U.S. Cultural and Social Activities…it is a great introduction to the United States, and a great way to meet other Fulbrighters from all around the globe.
- Fulbright Student from Mexico at the Boulder Gateway I realized what being a Fulbrighter really means. It was also a unique chance to meet talented people from all over the world. Such meetings are always invigorating and illuminating. They communicate understanding and tolerance which is very important in our globalized present.
- Fulbright Student from Czech Republic at the Iowa Gateway Gateways take place at colleges and universities across the U.S. and highlight the diverse cultural experiences available to Fulbright grantees. Each Gateway highlights the local culture of the host city by incorporating cultural tours, culturally and historically significant site visits and, whenever possible, allowing time for self-guided exploration. Gateways also provide an opportunity for participants to meet with Americans in informal settings, such as dinner with local Rotary Clubs in Pennsylvania and Iowa or a homestay evening in Nebraska. Gateway host institutions also engage local Fulbright Alumni Association chapters, creating linkages between arriving Fulbright foreign students and U.S. Fulbright alumni. In addition, Gateway orientations often utilize U.S. student volunteers to implement the programs, and local community organizations often play a part in the social program. Participants have often remarked that friendships made during Gateways are life-long professional and personal relationships.  |  | Learning about American Footbal at the University of
Nebraska | Fulbright students visit the beach during the closing
dinner for the Miami Gateway |
2011 Gateway OrientationsFrom August through September of 2011, 553 Fulbright foreign students attended one of 11 Gateway orientations prior to beginning their academic studies. The 2011 Gateways took place at Berkeley City College, Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, Miami Dade College, Portland State University, the State University of New York at Albany, the University of Colorado at Boulder, the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and the University of Iowa. 2011 Gateway Orientation HighlightsParticipants of the 2011 Gateway orientations had the opportunity to participate in a wide range of exciting cultural and social activities, sampling the diverse regional and cultural heritage that the U.S. has to offer. Some of these activities included: A visit to the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder Colorado, where Fulbright students met with climate scientists and learned about the center’s cutting edge research. Following the tour, the Fulbright students had the opportunity to hike NCAR’s grounds, offering Rocky Mountain views.
In Nebraska and Iowa, Fulbright students learned about “Big Ten” football culture at U.S. Universities. At the University of Nebraska Gateway, Fulbright students toured the University’s state of the art athletics facility and went right up to the stadium’s 50 yard line. At the University of Iowa, Fulbright students watched a Hawkeye football game joined by “Herky,” the team’s mascot. At the Berkeley City College Gateway, participants experienced the nation’s only moving national historic landmark, taking a cable car tour of nearby San Francisco.
 |  | Fulbrighters watching University of Iowa football
with Herky the Hawkeye | Fulbrighters enjoy the scenec grounds of the National
Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, CO |
Gateway participants also learned about American historic and political heritage. In Pennsylvania, the Fulbright students visited Philadelphia and toured the National Constitution Center as a part of the Lincoln University Gateway Orientation. They also experienced the U.S. heritage of religious diversity first hand, visiting an Amish Village in Lancaster Pennsylvania. Participants of the Vanderbilt University Gateway Orientation learned about American civil liberties, touring the Vanderbilt University First Amendment Center’s exhibit on U.S. protest movements, including civil and voting rights.  |  | Fulbright Grantee and American Student at the Amish
Village in Lancaster, PA | Gateway participants in front of the Philadelphia skyline |
Who Can Attend Gateway Orientations?
All Fulbright foreign students with advanced language skills are eligible for a Gateway orientation, regardless of their Fulbright U.S. administrating organization (IIE, AMIDEAST or LASPAU). Fulbright students are not required to utilize IIE placement services in order to receive an invitation to a Gateway.
IIE administers Gateways orientations for all Fulbright foreign students, working closely with AMIDEAST and LASPAU. Upon confirming an academic placement, invitations to Gateway orientations are sent to Fulbright Commissions or U.S. Embassies on behalf each Fulbright foreign student. The notification is then passed on to the respective Fulbright foreign student, who must accept or decline the assignment within seven days of notification. If a Fulbright foreign student fails to notify IIE within seven (7) days that she/he wishes to attend the Gateway orientation to which she/he has been assigned, she/he forfeits the invitation. Although Gateway orientations are not required, all eligible Fulbright foreign students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this unique Fulbright opportunity.
Summer 2012 Gateway Orientation Schedule
There is an open competition for colleges and universities across the United States to administer the 2012 Gateway orientations. Results of the competition, including dates and location of the 2012 Gateways, will be posted once available. If you are an academic institution or organization interested in the competition to host 2012 Gateways, please email babbassi@iie.org.
Pakistan Gateway Orientation …being in a new environment here really shook some of my foundations. It was very difficult for me to participate in class and sometimes even difficult to socialize. Whether it was me not being able to completely capture to rules of social engagement (even though we watch American shows and movies back home all the time!) or my lack of confidence in my spoken English skills, I just found it difficult to speak openly and with confidence. The locals were welcoming, my university administration most helpful, but something was missing. In this backdrop, the orientation proved to be a good way for me to revisit my center. Being around people from my own country gave me a boost of confidence which was desperately needed. We shared our experiences in a casual setting and that really helped me. This week I find myself participating in class and being more active generally. This wouldn't have been possible without the orientation and especially the stress relieving exercises which we were told about in one of the sessions.
– Pakistan Gateway Participant
The first Fulbright Pakistan Gateway Orientation was held in 2011. This orientation allowed arriving Fulbright grantees from Pakistan to share common experiences and challenges, and provided a venue for regional networking. The Gateway took place from October 12 to October 16, 2011, and was attended by nearly 100 Fulbright Pakistani foreign students who recently began master’s or doctoral programs across the United States. After soliciting a targeted list of U.S. institutions, the University of Texas (UT), Austin was awarded the opportunity to host the Pakistan Gateway Orientation. Apart from including all of the traditional Gateway orientation components outlined above, the Pakistan Gateway included sessions coordinated with the UT’s South Asia Institute and dinner attended by South Asia Institute students.
Incorporating some of Austin’s local political resources, participants experienced examples of both the U.S. federal and state government systems. A visit to the Lynden B. Johnson Presidential library highlighted an example of an American presidency and the operations of the executive office of the federal government. The Fulbright students also learned about the historical political and cultural discourse during President Johnson’s administration viewing an exhibit on the American Civil Rights movement of the 1960’s.  |  | Pakistani Fulbright students in the Texas State
Senate chamber with Senator Judith Zaffirini | Pakistani Fulbright students with an animatronic
representation of President Lynden B. Johnson |
Introducing participants to the state government system, Texas State Senator Judith Zaffirini hosted the Pakistani students for a reception at the Texas State Capitol. Senator Zaffirini discussed her experience as one of the first women, and the first wife and mother, to be elected to the Texas State Senate. The senator engaged the Fulbright students in a discussion on leadership and overcoming adversity. Want to learn more about the Fulbright Pakistan Gateway Orientation? Click here to view the U.S. Department of State Fact Sheet. |
