Fulbright SIR opportunity - unofficially, yes!

On Friday (8 Jan) I was working quietly, productively at home on an article about the findings of my doctoral research. The phone rang, David answered. He said it was for me. A quick exchange: Me: “Who is it?” David: “I don’t know”. So I took the phone guessing it would be a student (or prospective student) with an enquiry about the course that I coordinate.

” Hello, Hilary speaking”
“Hello, my name is Lyndell Wilson, I'm calling from the Australian-American Fulbright Commission.”
Oh my goodness …

I’d been anxiously checking my email inbox every day for the last month, looking for the decision about my application for Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence at University Colorado Denver. As the days passed without news, I was resigning myself to an unsuccessful outcome. Never mind, I was telling myself – life this year will be smoother without the upheaval of relocating and adjusting to US; no need to reorganise my responsibilities at QUT (teaching, research, course coordination); more time for relaxing with family. 2010 could be a year of consolidation, personally and professionally …

So despite the anticipation, I was unprepared for hearing the news in a phone call …

Lindell talked a bit about the Scholar in Residence (SIR) program. Was I aware that University Colorado Denver had submitted a proposal on my behalf. “Yes”.
She explained that the proposal had been approved. Would I be interested in accepting? “Yes, thank you – very much”.
Lyndell explained that she would send me the official paperwork – and an invitation to a presentation and dinner in Melbourne on 18 March for Australian 2010 Fulbright scholars.

All of a sudden my plans for 2010 were shifting – and I was shaking. Amazement, excitement, terror …

I wondered if anyone would decline such an opportunity? And then – eek! - I wondered if I could possibility live up to the expectations that the proposal represented?

I had an urge to immediately tell the world about this amazing good fortune, but the offer was still unofficial. Despite my excitement, I had to show some professional decorum and not blow the whole thing before it had even started. So, I shared the news with family (David, Peter, Mark, Vanessa and Judy) and a few close colleagues, cautioning them to keep it under their hats for the time being.
David and Peter were at home at the time to share the excitement. The others sent email messages:

Mark: “Wow!! Go Dr Mum”.
Judy: "Brilliant! What an opportunity Big Boot!" (she's Little Boot - for some unknown reason!) 

My Head of School:  "This is fabulous news! Open the champers"
The Dean of Education: "This is absolutely wonderful news" 
Assistant Dean of Education (Teaching and Learning): "Wow! Fantastic! Congratulations!"
My Principal PhD supervisor: "Well done, well done. What a fabulous way to start the year"
My Associate PhD supervisor: "That is fabulous news! I am so delighted to hear this"
The Dean of Faculty of Science and Technology: "Congratulations Hilary! I hope you have a wonderful time in Denver"


PhD supervsior to Information Studies research colleagues: "We are very proud that Dr Hilary Hughes, member of our Information Studies Research group from F Ed has been accepted as Fulbright Scholar in Residence for 2010 at the University of Denver. No media announcements are allowed until the ceremonies in March, however we thought you would like to be privy to this exciting news. Hilary is a lecturer in the Faculty of Education and has been part of our research group for some years. She completed her PhD with us last year and I have had the pleasure of being her MCAD mentor as we have gone through this Fulbright Process".

Raylee: “Full steam ahead!” 
Helen: “Hooray!!” 
Mandy: "YEE HA!!!! You-Go-Girlfriend!!!!" 
Kerry: "Congratulations and a big hug"  
Guy: "Congratulations Hilary! A life-changing experience no doubt! A tribute to the Information Studies Research Program as well. Enjoy Denver".
Deb: Congratulations ... I am delighted for you ... I think you are more than entitled to a glass (or two) of very good Australian champagne"
Jo: "How absolutely fantastic and well-deserved"
Anita: "You are brilliant! Full of joy and bright so well deserved"
Beryl: "Hilary, what a dream come true!! Well done, ten out of ten for this one....enjoy"
Robyn: "Congratulations on your very well deserved award". Inger: Oh Hilary, I am so delighted for you. What a wonderful opportunity and a very fitting recognition of your thesis ... Congratulations! I do hope you have plenty of warm clothing as I imagine it would be a little chilly in the Fall"
Cushla: "Warmest and best congratulations. Wow! What an opportunity"
Annah: "Wonderful news Hilary – congratulations indeed!"
Anne: "Warmest congrats on this brilliant achievement! All the best for this exciting year!"
Lyn: "Congratulations: that’s fantastic news!"
Margaret: "A huge congratulations. What a wonderful thing to look forward to"

Their warm and encouraging responses went some way to reassuring me that the SIR would be something worthwhile, something that I could realistically tackle.

I emailed Dr Mary Somerville at University Colorado Denver, who had initiated and prepared the SIR proposal. She replied that she hadn't yet been notified about acceptance of the proposal:  "This is thrilling news! It is truly marvelous that you will join us in the fall semester".

The Fall … sounds so American to a British-Australian! An early indication of the transition challenges that I will experience as scholar-in-residence in Denver. I’ve researched and written a lot about international students’ experiences of living and learning in an unfamiliar cultural-linguistic-educational environment – and now I’ll be gaining my own real life insights as an ‘international scholar’ and learner.