Stepping Off The Sidewalk: Returning to SE Asia- Spring 2026

 I am soon to return to SE Asia to experience both the known and the unknown. Allow me to “set the stage” for launching this journey. I was accepted to the US Fulbright Specialist Roster April of 2022. The Fulbright Programs were begun by Senator Fulbright in the 40’s built upon the foundational belief that educational exchange contributes meaningfully to international understanding and peace. Spring 2022, I was accepted to the specialist program which allows educators to spend 2-6 weeks x 2 projects in 2 different countries. Though time on the roster is typically limited to 3 years, because of COVID, I have been on the roster 4 years and I have needed every bit of that time to set up the 2 projects as they must be 24 months apart.  

In Summer 2023, I taught nursing and collaborated with the faculty at Vin University, Hanoi, Vietnam for 6 weeks for my first US Fulbright Specialist project.  This was my first sustained visit to Vietnam, and it was very, very different than my prior experiences in Cambodia.  Loved the faculty and students! Hanoi slowly grew on me across the weeks and I actually returned for 4 weeks self-funded Summer 2024.

August 2024, I began seeking out a 2^nd Fulbright Specialist “home” but it wasn’t until November 2024, that I received a forma invitation from Chiang Mai University in Chiang Mai, Thailand and in December 2024, they submitted their grant request to World Learning and requested me as their Fulbright Specialist.

Given my time on the Specialist Roster ends April 6, 2026, it is essential that I am in-country prior to that date.  Talk about cutting it short!  I land in Thailand close to midnight April 4^th!  So what will I be doing?  The Faculty of Nursing (what they call a nursing program in Asia) at Chiang Mai have asked me to focus on a series of workshops to enhance their faculty’s knowledge of NCLEX (the required licensure exam to become an RN).  This is a different direction than what Via University requested, which was more direct student contact on NCLEX prep. In Thailand, I will present 5 or 6 times including at their very formal, annual research day which will be held at the Empress Hotel.

I will be in Chiang Mai, Thailand for 4 weeks and then fly over to Hanoi, Vietnam where I will once again collaborate with the Faculty of Nursing Vin University.  Working with them is a personal commitment that I have made, so that part of the trip will be funded by House of Reed . The biggest challenge I face?  Being away from my husband for 6 weeks.  As public school is still in session, he will be home while I am there.  This is the longest that we have been apart in 14 years and it will be tough as together, life simply has greater meaning and we create amazing memories together.

So….. please consider following my stories.  I am quite confident that I will have adventures, misadventures and be humbled multiple times across the six weeks. Though challenging, my heart is singing at returning to SE Asia, a place we dearly love. ~ Karen

Disclaimer: This is my personal blog. All views are personal and do not represent the U.S. government, the Fulbright Program, Fulbright partners nor the University of Florida.