By C. Brandon Chapman, College of Education
PULLMAN, Wash. – Beginning next week, Andy Scheef’s life will get a little more exotic.
He will head to Singapore for three months as one of only 17 U.S. citizens to travel abroad this academic year through the Distinguished Fulbright Awards in Teaching Program.
Scheef is a doctoral student studying special education in Washington State University’s College of Education. He works for the Moscow (Idaho) School District facilitating post-school transitions for students with disabilities. He will study post-school transition programs in Singapore.
The Fulbright program is the flagship international educational exchange sponsored by the U.S. government. It is designed to increase mutual understanding between people of the U.S. and those of other countries.
This won’t be the first time Scheef has been to the region.
“My wife and I have spent a fair amount of time in Southeast Asia, so it’s not foreign to us; but we’re excited to get to know the city (of Singapore) better,” he said.
The couple taught at a university outside Bangkok, Thailand in 2004-2005. They also visited Thailand for summer 2011 when Scheef’s wife (Keri McCarthy, a professor in WSU’s School of Music) received a Fulbright scholar award.
Scheef said he doesn’t just want to visit, but to also immerse himself in the culture.
“While I’m certain I will enjoy the standard sights, I’ll be just as excited to explore unfamiliar neighborhoods,” he said.
More information about the College of Education’s teaching programs can be found at http://www.education.wsu.edu.