Biega Beyond Borders

From February 5–7, I traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate in the Fulbright Global Education Symposium. Fulbright participants from across the country gathered for an in-person professional learning experience focused on building networks, collaborating, and developing strategies to enhance global learning. It was an incredible trip—one where I had the opportunity to meet more than 100 fellow Fulbright participants from all over the United States.

Throughout the symposium, I was reminded of the importance of learning about the world beyond our own communities and helping our students do the same. Experiences like this reinforce how vital it is to prepare students to be global citizens—individuals who are curious, empathetic, and able to understand diverse perspectives. As educators, we have a responsibility to help students see their place in a connected world and empower them to learn from and contribute to it in meaningful ways.

I was especially excited to listen to the stories of Fulbright alumni as they shared their adventures and accomplishments. One highlight was meeting Ashlie Crosson (Fulbright to Morocco, 2024), the 2025 NEA Teacher of the Year. I was truly inspired by her experiences teaching in Morocco and felt a strong connection to her stories of teaching in rural Pennsylvania, as I am doing the same.

The most exciting part of the symposium, however, was finally meeting all 19 of my fellow Fulbright to India participants. We connected, planned, shared meals, and dreamed about the incredible adventures ahead of us. I left the conference feeling blessed, a little overwhelmed, and deeply empowered—and even more committed to bringing these global perspectives back to my classroom.