Muskie Orientation Held at Gallaudet University's Kellogg Conference Center

The US Department of State and IREX welcomed 144 Muskie Fellows to the United States at a two-day orientation program on August 7-10, 2006 at Gallaudet University's Kellogg Conference Center in Washington, DC. The orientation program included sessions on succeeding in graduate school, finding an internship, and overcoming culture shock. Also attending the orientation were several 2005 Muskie Fellows, who were able to share their experiences and "lessons learned" with the newly-arrived fellows. The orientation concluded with a reception at the Hart Senate Office Building. Keynote speakers Dr. Roseann Runte, president of Old Dominion University, and Marianne Craven, managing director for Academic Programs at the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State, congratulated the fellows on their accomplishments and spoke about the importance of educational and cultural exchange. Following the orientation, the fellows departed for their host universities, where they will be engaged in graduate-level study for up to two years before returning to their home countries.

Photo: Dr. Roseann Runte addresses the new 2006 Muske Fellows