by Dorothy Markulis
Reporter
Hudson -- A Nicholson Drive resident will go to the Union of South Africa and Lesotho this summer compliments of the Fulbright Commission.
Greg Bell, a social studies teacher and school counselor at Kirtland High School, will spend five weeks in Africa on a Fulbright Scholarship.
The $8,000-plus scholarship covers airfare, lodging and meals.
Bell was one of 15 teachers selected nationwide to make the journey to Africa by the Fulbright Program which is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State.
"I am very excited about this," said Bell. "It's a great honor and I feel very fortunate to be selected."
Bell, who earned his bachelor's degree at Kent State University and a master's degree at Cleveland State University, has been a teacher for 14 years.
According to Bell, the 15 teachers selected will meet in Atlanta June 26 and depart for South Africa. They will spend one week in South Africa, then visit Lesotho for three weeks. They will return to South Africa for the fifth and final week of the learning excursion. They will return to the states July 30.
Bell said he acquired a fascination with Africa when he began attending world history classes at Kent State.
"South Africa is an industrial nation which completely surrounds Lesotho, a Third World country," Bell said.
He said his group will learn about the history, culture, politics and economics of the two countries and their interaction. The group also will be doing service projects in education.
Bell said the process of selection for the Fulbright scholarship took a year. Prerequisites for applying for the program are five years teaching experience, a master's degree and a demonstration of effective global teaching -- how one country's plight affects the world. Applicants must provide recommendation letters and write a series of essays on how their participation will benefit others on their return.
William Koons, principal of Kirtland High School, wrote a letter of recommendation for Bell.
"Honestly, I'm jealous of Greg. That is something I've always wanted to do," Koons said.
Koons said Bell's love of world history and extensive knowledge of African makes him a perfect candidate for the Fulbright trip.
"He can explain how something in Africa can affect the world and make a difference to a 15-year-old here," Koons said. "He takes a global situation and makes it local."
Bell said his wife, Aimee, was very supportive of his applying for the Fulbright. The couple has two children, Abby, 7, and Carter, 4.
E-mail: dmarkulis@recordpub.com
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