The Fulbright Scholars at the University of Arkansas (FSUA) just sponsored an event in celebration of International Education Week and the 70th Anniversary of Fulbright program. “Fulbright Friendsgiving Forum” is organized to recognize the visionary efforts of Senator J, William Fulbright to establish a  platform through which education can be used as a tool to strengthen the bond of friendship and collaboration among different countries all across the globe.

This special forum began with two performances: Angklung Ensemble (Ruth Nainggolan, Tri Murniati, Chen Wei, Masahiro Mashimoto, Febriyanti Lestari, Nadia Hanayeen, and Helen) playing “The Fight Song” using an Indonesian musical instrument called “angklung and a piano performance by Waltram Ravelombola playing an African traditional song. After the opening by MCs Boitshepo Balozwi and Cleeford Pavilus and opening remarks by FSUA advisor Gloria Passmore, the programs started with a panel discussion by distinguished speakers Dr. Hoyt Purvis (Former Press Secretary of Senator J. William Fulbright), Dr. Curt Rom (Assistant Dean of International Education) and Missy Maramara (UA Fulbright alumni, currently in the Philippines – through Skype) who shared both their international education experience and the impact of the Fulbright program.  Michelle Morris (Wesley United Methodist Church) talked about her experience as an American in contact with international students. The director of Spring International Dr. Leyah Lanier also led the Q&A session of the panel discussion. The session was followed by another entertainment by UA current Fulbrighters (Zane Emilija as the narrator, Regis Koumba as Senator Fulbright, Andre Grant as Poland, Hatidza Jahic as Bulgaria, Tanny Chavez as Romania, Willy Mulimbi as Austria, and Febriyanti Lestari as President Truman). The skit was a fictional story of Senator Fulbright coming up with the idea of international student exchange but it also contains some historical truth such as the signing of Fulbright Act by President Truman in 1946.

FSUA president closed the event by emphasizing the message of “Friendsgiving” by connecting international students and American friends and thanking American friends for their care and support to international students especially during this crucial transitional moment in the U.S. She invited two of her American friends Mekiya Walters and Sara Ramey as well as her host family through ISS Ifriend program Diane Ungar and Maya Ungar to give some short speech. The event was round up with a Thanksgiving Dinner reflecting the spirit of Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving which is a few days away. During the dinner, the participants were given a chance to see the posters displaying some countries where some of the current Fulbrighters are from such as Angola by Paulo Manuel, Argentina by Fran Rusconi, Belarus by Vera Hembitskaya and Alesia Herasimenka, Bosnia-Herzegovina by Hatidza Jahic, Ecuador by Tanny Chavez, Indonesia by Febriyanti Lestari, Jamaica by Andre Grant, Kosovo by Blend Frangu, and Latvia by Zane Emilija Sarma. This event was recorded live on Facebook.