In 1979 I went to Sweden on a Fulbright Award. Who would have thought, certainly not me.

The application for the award was completed in spring 1977, but was forgotten as personal tragic events of the year unfolded. In summer 1977 both of my parents died. The main intent of the rest of the year was to keep putting one one foot in front of another. In December 1977, the day before what would have been my father’s 69th birthday, I received notice I was a Fulbright finalist but I should not to expect to hear anything definitive for months. Fine, I just kept putting one foot forward.

Six weeks later on January 20, 1978, on what would have been my mother’s 70th birthday, I was notified I had been awarded a Fulbright  grant to Sweden in 1979. I received the news months before other Fulbrighters were notified for that grant period, what a nice coincidence.

I spent the rest of 1978 looking forward in the preparation for a new adventure and beginning to be an international citizen by traveling, working, and teaching in other cultures. This website will highlight experiences from this international experience.

It was many steps from the gravel driveway on the  Illinois Rt. 66 farm to Sweden, but it  started with parents who were always there. They did not have the opportunity to step abroad in their lifetimes, but their daughter has many times.