Bradley Faculty Spotlight: Cecile Arquette

04/07/2020 1:00 AM

Dr. Cecile Arquette, an early childhood and elementary education professor at Bradley University, is a recent recipient of a Fulbright Scholar Award to Vietnam for her project Cross Cultural Connections and EFL Teaching Methodology. Fulbright is the world’s largest and most diverse international educational exchange program. Fulbright Scholar grants are awarded as a reflection of ability in teaching, scholarship and leadership. As a Fulbright participant and a representative of the United States, Dr. Arquette will have the opportunity to work collaboratively with university faculty at Phu Yen University in Tuy Hoa, Vietnam with future Vietnamese teachers of English as a foreign language (EFL).

When asked about her passion for working with different cultures, Arquette credited her work as a Peace Corps volunteer in her 20s. “Ever since I worked teaching English as a foreign language at a government high school in Ndikinimeki, Cameroon, I’ve been interested in learning as much as I can about different people and their cultures. Being able to live in a place for an extended period of time as a community member is very different than being a tourist. You really learn a lot, and the best thing is all the friends you make and the interesting experiences you have.”

This is actually Arquette’s second time receiving a Fulbright Scholar Award. “My first was to Chile in the spring of 2014, and when I started thinking about trying for a second one, I knew I wanted to go somewhere I knew little about, so I looked toward Asia.” She also added, “But in all honesty, I never really thought I’d get this second award because the process is very competitive.”

Arquette will begin her journey in Vietnam in January 2021. All Fulbright grants are made possible through funds appropriated annually by the U.S. Congress. Fulbright alumni have become heads of state, judges, ambassadors, cabinet ministers, CEOs, university presidents, and more. They include 60 Nobel Laureates, 86 Pulitzer Prize winners, 74 MacArthur Fellows, and thousands of leaders across the private, public and non-profit sectors.