“When you get a new perspective culturally you become a different person, and Fulbright gives you the opportunity to see beyond the way.”
Dr. Do-Yong Park
We have all gone through an experience that marks our lives. For Dr. Do-Yong Park, a professor in the School of Teaching and Learning, the life-changing experiences are his two Fulbright scholarships and experiences abroad.
Park just completed his second Fulbright scholarship in Vietnam where he taught STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education teaching practices. He feels privileged to have the opportunities to live experiences that helped him grow professionally and culturally.
Park earned his first Fulbright for work in Cambodia and his second for work in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. During his time in Vietnam, he traveled the entire length of the country learning about the varying education systems. He spent the majority of his time at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Education (the second-largest teacher education program in Vietnam), where he prepared professors to teach engineering education to their university students. Through this experience, he is helping prepare future teachers in Vietnam to implement STEM education in the classroom.
In addition to teaching and learning, Park enjoyed the cultural exchange that transformed his perspective on the world.
“I had many experiences that were outside of my expectations,” said Park.
Fulbright allowed him to learn about cultural, historical, and political factors, which fueled his critical thinking and helped him create different perspectives on education that will impact his research and teaching at Illinois State.
“Experiences without borders give you evidence,” said Park, adding that with the evidence you can deepen your knowledge and expectations. All this evidence is key for the research that Park is developing and also as a source of inspiration for the two books that he is writing.
When reflecting on the impact he made in Vietnam, Park mentioned that “the joint work of teachers, education, and the government is the missing piece in STEM education.”
STEM education is a positive contribution to developing countries. “Vietnam is a young country, which is a benefit,” said Park, adding the binomial of youth plus STEM is the way to develop the potential of a country.
Like any enriching experience, there are always certain challenges behind it. In Park’s case, it was leaving his family for a period of time to be able to contribute through his knowledge to the implementation of STEM education in developing countries.
Through it all, Park continues to use his passion for international education and learning from Vietnam and Cambodia with his students at Illinois State and encourages them to study abroad. “If you have a transformative idea and want to work overseas, Fulbright is a step in the right direction,” Park said.
Throughout this journey, Park never stopped expressing his love and dedication to Illinois State, and the University family is equally proud that one of our own had the opportunity to leave such a mark on the other side of the world.
