Contact: James Carskadon

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Fulbright Scholars from around the world are more prepared to study at colleges and universities throughout the U.S. after completing a three-week pre-academic program hosted by Mississippi State University’s English Language Institute.

MSU is one of nine U.S. institutions of higher learning selected to host the scholars. In addition to taking a pre-academic English as a Second Language course, the 32 students from 24 countries received an overview of U.S. culture and higher education, which will ease their transition into their host U.S. universities.

The Fulbright program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is the U.S. government’s flagship international exchange program. It is designed to increase mutual understanding between Americans and the international community.

MSU Associate Vice President for International Programs Richard Nader said hosting the Fulbright Scholars is a great opportunity for the university community to get to know some of the brightest students from around the world.

“Mississippi State University is a great place to showcase Mississippi, the southeast and the United States because we have great people here,” Nader said. “It’s wonderful for us to be a host because these are very special Fulbright Scholars that will be the future leaders of the world. This is really good for our future and their future.”

For more information on the English Language Institute, visit www.international.msstate.edu/esl.

For more information on MSU’s involvement with the Fulbright Program, visit international.msstate.edu/faculty/Fulbright.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.