Why Blacksburg is the ‘perfect place’ for Fulbright scholar exploring language learning
At the Virginia Tech Language and Culture Institute, Maria Prawati, a Fulbright scholar and an English literature professor at Indonesia’s Bina Nusantara University, found what she describes as the “perfect place” to do her research.
The institute’s diverse international students, experienced faculty, and commitment to cultural exchange provided an ideal laboratory for her to study intercultural communication and language pedagogy.
As one of the university’s key centers for international engagement, the institute consistently attracts scholars and students from around the world, fostering cross-cultural exchange and advancing research in international education.
During the fall semester, Prawati was deeply embedded in the the institute's daily operations, sitting in on classes, joining celebrations and social events, and engaging with students and instructors. Her goal was to assess the ways language and culture are taught, experienced, and reflected in classroom interactions. The student population represents multiple countries and linguistic traditions, offering Prawati a complex tapestry of cultural interactions to study.
“It’s not about perfect language or perfect culture,” she said, “but about how students can develop critical cultural awareness and navigate multiple layers of language and culture at the same time.”
Of mutual benefit
In many ways, Prawati’s presence exemplifies Virginia Tech’s growing reputation as a destination for international scholarship and research excellence.
Language and Culture Institiute Director Elsie Paredes recognized the natural alignment between Prawati’s research goals and the institute’s mission. “When I read her research proposal, it made me smile,” Paredes said, noting how perfectly the research focus matches the institute's long-standing commitment to intercultural competence. “Our faculty have even led workshops on intercultural competence in multiple countries.”
The institute, part of Outreach and International Affairs, helps international students improve their English language skills and adapt to American academic culture through intensive preparation programs that enable them to transition to undergraduate and graduate studies at Virginia Tech and other U.S. universities. The institute also develops global partnerships, promotes collaborative research initiatives, and develops educational exchange programs worldwide.
Paredes described Prawati’s presence as an opportunity for cultural exchange, fresh insight from a new perspective, and a chance to converse over a shared interest of language and culture pedagogy. “Everybody talks to her, and she talks to everybody,” Paredes said. “There is always conversation going on about what she does.”
Prawati’s fellowship in Blacksburg builds upon her previous research in Jakarta, where she studied how students from vastly different linguistic backgrounds — from English-only speakers to those for whom English is a third language — engage with language and cultural learning.
Her research methodology involves a comprehensive analysis of pedagogical paradigms, examining syllabi, teaching materials, language policies, and classroom practices.
“We’re promoting dialogical communication,” Prawati said, emphasizing the importance of collaborative, two-way cultural exchange in today’s interconnected world.
Fulbright scholarship at Virginia Tech
The institute's success in attracting Fulbright scholars such as Prawati reflects Virginia Tech’s growing prominence as a hub for international academic exchange. Over the past five years, Virginia Tech has hosted 15 Fulbright scholars. This year, Prawati is one of three from Indonesia.
The Fulbright Scholar Program, established in 1946, represents the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program, offering students and scholars in more than 160 countries the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research and contribute to mutual understanding between nations.
For advice and resources on applying for the Fulbright U.S. Scholar program, visit Virginia Tech’s Fulbright Fellowships webpage. The Global Education Office, part of Outreach and International Affairs, provides support and resources for incoming Fulbright scholars and the departments that host them.
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