New Fulbright Scholars Join Arts and Humanities Faculty

Staff Writer

Photo by Nick Johnson

Martin Marusich

   Two new Fulbright Scholars joined the School of Arts and Humanities for the 2009 school year.

   Stephanie Adani, from Albi, France, teaches Elementary French I. Martin Marusich, and from La Pampa, Argentina, teaches two classes of Elementary Spanish I.

   “When I first started teaching Spanish I felt nervous. I saw that not a lot of the students were talking but, after a while, I saw that they became more comfortable and now I enjoy it. I love how I am able to teach my language and, at the same time, learn a lot about this culture,” Marusich said.

   Marusich earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the National University of La Pampa and taught English. He described being a Fulbright teacher’s assistant as a somewhat nerve racking, but rewarding experience.

   “I wanted to teach a little about my culture and language and, at the same time, I wanted to learn about the culture here in America,” Marusich said.

     Adani earned her bachelor’s degree in American Civilization from the  University of Toulouse Le Mirail. She lived in America before as an “Au Pair,” a foreign domestic assistant living with and working for a host family in Maryland.  

Photo by Linna Jones

Stephanie Adani

   Adani described her favorite part of being in United States.

    “Just the people and how they are nice. They have great hospitality,” Adani said. ”I love being taught, school, and teaching your culture and how you can receive something in return.”

   Isabel Bacon, instructor of Art and Spanish, and Mark Spencer, dean of Arts and Humanities selected Marusich, because of his teaching background and Adani because of her previous experiences in the United States.

   “This is fifth time UAM has participated in this program. Dean Mark Spencer and I go through lots of applications when making our selections,” said Bacon.  “It’s a very prestigious program to be a part of.”

   University of Arkansas at Monticello  has hosted a  nine Fulbright scholars since they started working with the program in 2005. The first Fulbright Scholar came from France.

   Sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State, the Fulbright Scholarship program gives young college graduates of other countries the opportunity to come to America to teach a course on their language and experience American culture first hand. The program, named in honor of former U.S. and Arkansan Senator J. William Fulbright, originally intended to reach European countries, but the program spread globally.

   For more information about the Fulbright program, visit their website at www.fulbright.state.gov.

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