MACON – Mercer University Associate Director of Study Abroad Rebekah Anaya is among 16 U.S. postsecondary educators recently selected to participate in a summer Fulbright-Hays Seminar Abroad Program to Norway.
The program, titled “Typically Atypical: Understanding Modern Norway,” will take place June 15-July 17 and provide a broad introduction to the basics of Norwegian history, culture, art and literature, politics and governance, among other topics.
“I am honored to have been selected for the Fulbright-Hays program to Norway,” said Anaya. “In addition to being able to provide our faculty with country-specific suggestions for Norway, where we do not currently run programs, the program will allow me to provide faculty with new contacts for them overseas, along with ideas for new courses focused on globalization, national identity, immigration and education.”
Anaya serves as associate director of study abroad in Mercer’s Office of International Programs and coordinator of the University’s Peace Corps Prep Program.
Before coming to Mercer, she worked as a director for a tutoring company, taught English in Spain for three years and led study abroad programs in England, Costa Rica and Cuba. She also worked with students from Northern Ireland on a peacekeeping mission between the Protestants and Catholics. As an undergraduate student, she participated in six study abroad programs.
She is fluent in English and Spanish and has traveled to, worked and studied in 26 countries on six continents.
Anaya earned her master’s degree in international education, policy and management from Vanderbilt University and bachelor’s degree in hospitality and tourism management from Purdue University.
Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad provide U.S. educators in the arts, social sciences and humanities with opportunities to participate in short-term seminars abroad to improve their understanding and knowledge of the peoples and cultures of other countries. This summer, seminars will be offered in the Philippines, Hungary, Norway and Germany.
Each thematic seminar features educational lectures and interactive, cultural activities specifically designed for elementary, secondary and postsecondary educators, including visits to local schools and organizations and meetings with education administrators, government officials, policymakers, teachers and students. Participants draw on their experiences during the program to create new or to enhance existing cross-cultural curricula for use in their U.S. classrooms and school systems.
