About Us
Fulbright Teacher and Administrator Program
The Public Affairs Office of the American Embassy Helsinki administers the Fulbright Teacher and Administrator Exchange Program in Finland. For all other Fulbright programs, please see the Fulbright Center website. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, the program provides opportunities for qualified Finnish teachers and administrators to participate in exchange of positions with colleagues from the United States to learn more about U.S. society and culture and to exchange ideas about teaching, school administration and curriculum development. The program is carried out in cooperation with the Fulbright Center, the National Board of Education and local school systems.
Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program
The Teacher Exchange program is open to teachers at the secondary school levels (grades 7-9 and upper secondary school), polytechnics, and to vocational college faculty. Applicants must be able to teach their subject in English and have at least three years of teaching experience.
Terms of award: Direct exchange of teaching assignments. Teachers are required to secure a leave of absence with salary for a full academic year and round-trip international airfare from their school districts. The Finnish school agrees to take a qualified teacher from the United States who has also secured leave of absence with pay. Housing arrangements are a private matter and are the grantees’ responsibility.
Fulbright Administrator Program
The Administrator Exchange program is open to principals and administrators at the elementary and secondary school levels, vocational colleges, polytechnics, and educational institutions. Applicants must have strong English skills and at least three years of experience in administrative positions.
Terms of award: Exchanges are non-simultaneous six-week assignments where participants “shadow” their partners for the duration of their exchanges while the host schools or institutions are in session. The dates are mutually decided and agreed upon by exchange partners. Participants must obtain a leave of absence with or without pay, and secure round-trip international airfare prior to the exchange. Grantees are expected to provide housing for their exchange partners.
Application Process for Teachers and Administrators
Preference will be given to experienced applicants with strong English skills, who will have future opportunities to share their experience with their colleagues and institutions. Applicants should be aware that they could be located in any of the 50 U.S. states. For more information and application package, please contact Maria Kivelä at the Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy, Itäinen Puistotie 14 B, 00140 Helsinki, tel. 09-6162-5559, e-mail: KivelaMK@state.gov.
Read more about the program:
Application for Fulbright Teacher and Administrator Exchanges for 2008-2009
Fulbright Exchanges Program Announcement 2007
Exchange Stories of International Teachers in U.S.
Fulbright Teachers Prepare for International Exchange: 300 teachers to participate in 2004-2005 Fulbright program by Todd Bullock. Washington File, August 5, 2004.