Fulbright Initiative: Brazil's African Diaspora

The Fulbright program was founded in 1946 by J. William Fulbright, an Arkansas senator as a way to enhance mutual understanding between people. Fulbright is a cultural exchange program that is often considered life-changing and revelatory. It is recognized worldwide and is considered as one of the most respected and prestigious study-abroad programs in the world.

Watch J.W. Fulbright explain the value of the program

The Group Project Abroad (GPA) will engage several issues relevant to the Afro-Brazilian diaspora, including but not limited to ethnic and racial affirmation, struggles and triumphs over representation, discourses of harmony and confrontation, and voices of presence and memory. We will approach these topics from the perspectives of music, art, literature, architecture, history, folklore, cuisine, religion, dance, and language. Participants will learn about the hierarchal religion of Candomblé and about the poetry of samba. We will explore the intersection of Catholicism with Africanicity in historic and present manifestations, in part, through the icons of folklore. We will trace the history of religious festivals and practices. We will learn about prominent authors, filmmakers, artists, and performers who speak to, from, and about the Afro-Brazilian experience. We will study how these works participate in creating memory and representation of strength, resistance, love, justice, subjectivity, belonging, and we will contrast this knowledge against our knowledge of the African-American experience. In addition to our diaspora study, we will also spend considerable time immersing ourselves in the story of Portuguese.

The program will be led by directors Lara Wasner (UDM) and Suzanne Lynch (HCC)

The program is an intensive study and travel experience. Due to the intense nature of the program, please view the tentative pre-departure and in-country itineraries to familiarize yourself with the participation expectations of the program. Participants will travel to major sites within the state of Bahia, and within Minas Gerais. Participants will visit cultural sites and museums, participate in lectures by distinguished presenters, learn the Portuguese language through daily in person sessions, and attend performances and cultural events.

Note: The program participants will be traveling to multiple locations and there will be a lot of walking outdoors, often on uneven pavements and in very warm temperatures.

Selected participants are required to

• Participate in a pre-departure program on Zoom with camera on.
• Complete assigned readings, discussion board prompts, and language homework prior to travel.
• Participate fully in the travel abroad program. This means attending and participating all lectures and outings during the month-long program.
• Following the travel abroad experience, participants must develop a substantiative thematic unit based on program experiences and geared towards internationalization of the course curriculum.

You are eligible to apply if you fulfill ALL of the following requirements (with the exception of institution affiliation). You need only be affiliated with one type of institution.

• You are a full-time instructor at one of the following institutions
  • Community College
  • K12 educational system
  • University
  • Detroit K12 Public School System
• You are available for all pre-departure Saturday orientation dates online February 28- May 2024
• You are available to travel from approximately July 1 to July 31, 2024
• You have not previously been awarded a Fulbright
• You teach in the U.S.
• You are a U.S. resident or a citizen
• You are Covid vaccinated
• You are committed to professional development and sharing what you learn with others
• You work well in groups and with others

No. You cannot bring your family on the trip during the month of July; however, feel free to make your own arrangements to have your family meet you after the program, at your own expense. Our program covers airfare for group travel only and cannot accomodate any adjustments to our travel plans.  If you select to stay following the end of the program, you will be responsible for making your own return arrangements, including the cost of the international return leg.  

Yes. We will be spending quite a bit of time together in close spaces, and it is essential that we take the precautions to keep each other safe from COVID-19 as the disease has not as yet been fully eradicated.   

No. You must attend all lectures, performances, and trips and be fully engaged in the program.

All participants will reside in single room occupancy.

We have approximately 4 free days budgeted into the schedule. Following the day's events, you're also free to enjoy the city at your leisure.

There are days when we will be walking a lot, especially on some of our tour days, and there are days when we will be transported to lectures.

No. As part of this grant, Fulbright requires we commit to extensive Portuguese learning. A substantial part of our program will consist of Portuguese study. We do not expect that participants will be able to speak fluently in a month. All our lectures delivered in Portuguese will be translated for us by a simultaneous translator.

If you are unable to complete the academic requirements of the program, you will not be granted the title of Fulbright Fellow and your name will be submitted to the Fulbright agency as someone who did not fulfill his/her/their academic obligations. This also means that you will jeopardize your chances for acceptance to any future Fulbright programs. 

All expenses will be covered including flight, accommodations, entrance fees, excursion fees, and two meals a day; however, you will need funds for your daily needs. $400–500 should probably suffice for your daily needs, including going out for dinner or drinks while there.

Breakfast is included every day. Depending on the day, either lunch or dinner is also included.

Yes. Our accommodations will have free internet service; however, please keep in mind that it might not be as reliable as you are used to here.

There are a number of ways to make international calls. You can do FT. You can do WhatsApp. If you are interested in making local calls, you will need a local number. It is difficult to get a SIM card for foreigners in Brazil, so I suggest that you work with your U.S. carrier to figure out what is the best plan for you.

The cost share assists with the program costs, including housing, meals, transportation, entrance fees, and field trips. You will not be responsible for any additional program fees during travel. Separately, and prior to travel, participants will also be responsible for the cost of their visa, travel insurance, and covid test, if necessary for entry. 

Unfortunately, no. This program is open to educators nationwide. In order to maintain our program's focus, we are inviting only those in the humanities and social sciences to participate. 

You can contact the program directors Lara Wasner and  Suzanne Lynch.