The Fulbright Lunch & Learn seminar series continues with "Why the Japanese School Year Begins During Cherry Blossom Season: A Glimpse into 21st-Century Japanese Education," featuring guest speaker Karen Wachsmuth, associate director of International Fellowships, International Programs. This event will take place Friday, April 7, from 12:15-1:00 p.m. in 1117 University Capitol Centre.

Dr. Wachsmuth will share her recent experiences as a Fulbright International Education Administrator awardee to Japan. While in the country, she met with Ministry of Education officials, top-level university administrators, professors, high school teachers, guidance counselors, students, and job placement agencies. She will share how their differing viewpoints reflected unique and sometimes contradictory aspects of Japanese culture and history. She will also discuss the context of her travels to Hiroshima, Tokyo, and Kyoto, which took place during a year in which U.S.-Japan relations were undergoing epic, positive change.

Under Wachsmuth’s dynamic and innovative leadership as UI Fulbright Program Advisor, the University of Iowa was recently named a top producer of Fulbright students for 2016-17 by The Chronicle of Higher Education. This is the second year in a row that the UI has achieved this elite ranking.

This event is free and open to the public - bring a brown bag lunch and a friend and come prepared to learn!

This series is co-sponsored by the Iowa Chapter of the Fulbright Association and UI International Programs.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Karen Wachsmuth in advance at karen-wachsmuth@uiowa.edu, or 319-335-1436.