The University of Iowa’s Fulbright Hays Group Project Abroad (GPA) provides a funded opportunity for Iowa social studies teachers to travel to Namibia to expand their capacity to teach for critical global competence by deepening their understanding of global issues such as nation building, colonization, racial justice, and indigenous sovereignty. GPA participants will learn from education scholars and historians from the University of Namibia and a range of Namibian policy experts and community leaders. GPA participants will travel throughout the country visiting museums, historic sites, national parks, and local schools to develop an understanding of Namibian society, to explore the interconnectedness of local and global issues, and experience the significance of culture in teaching and learning social studies. 

This program is an intensive study and group travel experience. Participants will engage in three phases of the program: an online predeparture program, group travel to and throughout Namibia, and sharing curriculum resources upon returning to Iowa. Online pre-departure workshops will orient participants to Namibian history and society, teaching for critical global competence, and international group travel. Travel in Namibia will include time in the capital, Windhoek, and other significant towns, such as Swakopmund and Rundu, and visits to national parks, such as Etosha and Waterberg. Participants will draw on this rich experiential learning to develop curriculum projects that incorporate new knowledge of Namibia, critical global competence, and African perspectives. Upon returning to Iowa, participants will implement their newly developed curriculum in their classrooms and share the knowledge and resources they developed widely with other educators. 

Predeparture program (approximately February-June 2025)

• Participate in eight online (synchronous and asynchronous) meetings which provides an orientation to Fulbright program requirements, builds knowledge of Namibia, introduces the critical global competence framework, provides travel logistics and community building. 
• Complete readings, writing reflections, and participating in online discussions and meetings. 

In-country program (approximately June 27-July 25)

Engage in deep study of Namibia’s history, cultures, and contemporary issues

• Attend lectures given by University of Namibia faculty, visit museums, historic sites, attend cultural attractions, meet with education policy makers. 
• Includes visits to Windhoek, Okahandja, Swakopmund, Rundu, Waterberg, and Etosha National Park

Pre-service teachers, in-service teachers, and teacher educators develop critically global competent social studies curriculum with African perspectives  

• Participate in cross-national teacher professional development workshop at the University of Namibia focused on teaching for critical global competence.
• GPA participants and Namibian teachers co-plan and teach lessons for social studies classrooms in Windhoek and Rundu.  
• GPA participants each develop a critically global competent social studies curriculum project with African perspectives for use in their own classrooms. 

Post-trip activities

• Finalize and teach curriculum units
• Facilitate the widespread dissemination of curriculum materials in the United States and Namibia by sharing online and through presentations 

Selected participants are required to

• Participate in pre-departure programming. This includes attending Zoom meetings with the camera on and completing assigned readings, discussion board prompts, and homework prior to travel.
• Participate fully in the month-long travel abroad program. This includes attending and participating in all lectures, workshops, and outings, and collaborating with Namibian teaching counterparts.
• Develop a substantiative thematic unit for classroom instruction based on knowledge and resources gained through the travel abroad program and geared towards teaching for critical global competence.
• Upon returning to Iowa, share curriculum and educational resources developed during the project with other educators. 

• The Fulbright Hays GPA grant covers the majority of costs for the project, including:
  • International airfare to and from Namibia
  • In-country travel
  • Accommodations (which will be hotels and guest houses)
  • Three meals a day
  • Program associated activities (museums, entrance fees, etc.)
• Individual participants will be responsible for the following costs:
  • Passport and required visas
  • Travel insurance
  • Required vaccinations and medications
  • Personal spending for souvenirs, etc. 

You are eligible to apply if you fulfill ALL of the following requirements.

• You are a full-time secondary social studies teacher OR you are enrolled fulltime in a college or university based social studies teacher preparation program
• You work or study full time in the state of Iowa
• You are available for online pre-departure orientation meetings on select Saturdays between February - June 2025
• You are available to travel from approximately June 27 to July 25, 2025
• You are a U.S. resident or a citizen
• You are committed to professional development and sharing what you learn with others
• You work well in groups and with others

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