This unforgettable experience to Central Asia, specifically these gems on the Silk Route, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, was made possible through the Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad. The Fulbright Program provides participants-chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential - with the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns.

The Center for Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) at the University of Arizona was awarded a Fulbright-Hays Group Project Abroad (GPA) grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The program was co-funded by the American Institute of Iranian Studies, the Council of American Overseas Research Centers (CAORC) and the UArizona Roshan Graduate and Interdisciplinary Program in Persian and Iranian Studies. The program included 12 educators – 8 K-12 teachers, 2 K-12 administrators, 1 community college educator and 1 college faculty member teaching pre-service educators.

The Fulbright Program was established by the U.S. Congress in 1946 under legislation introduced by then-Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas in the aftermath of World War II. It is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.

"The Fulbright Program's mission is to bring a little more knowledge, a little more reason, and a little more compassion into world affairs and thereby increase the chance that nations will learn at last to live in peace and friendship." Senator J. William Fulbright

This experience was deeply significant for me as it was the work of an incomparable educator and CMES former Director of Educational Outreach, Dr. Lisa Adeli, who poured her heart and soul into making this incredible journey possible for the educators who were on this trip. The GPA grant proposal developed by her was selected by the Department of Education as an exemplary proposal. It is now posted as a model for future applicants.

It is to her that I would like to dedicate these lessons. It is because of her that my students will "bring a little more knowledge, a little more reason" and hopefully, a lot more compassion to our world that desperately needs it today.