U.S. Community
Mentors
“Operación Mentores” in Colombia
The main objective of this program is to match our U.S. Fulbright grantees with Colombian Fulbright alumni who are located in the same city or region. The aim of the Colombian mentor is to facilitate the adaptation of the U.S. grantee to the local context and minimize the impact of culture shock.
This program is voluntary and does not generate any type of obligation or monetary compensation. The Fulbright alumni mentor will not be responsible for the U.S. grantee, but will only assist him/her with questions related to local or logistical issues, particularly at the beginning of the grant period. The mentor will be expected to share general recommendations on the following topics: housing, neighborhoods or areas of the city, local transportation, culture and lifestyle, and access to specific services they may need.
This pilot initiative will be available for specific programs, taking into account the scope, duration of the fellowship, and resources available to the fellows. Contact information for the Colombian mentor will be confirmed by email, along with some general guidelines for communication between the mentor and the U.S. scholar.
Services
Services
he Fulbright Program Coordinator in Colombia is the main point of contact for the U.S. grantee during his or her stay in Colombia. Please contact your assigned coordinator for any questions or requests related to the administration and benefits of your grant, security, emergency situations, travel approvals, immigration issues, dependents (if applicable), and any other relevant issues related to the program or life in Colombia.
Sergio Sánchez
Program Coordinator
ssanchez@fulbright.edu.co
Juan Andrés Suárez
Program Coordinator
jsuarez@fulbright.edu.co
Orientation Handbook for U.S. grantees
This document is designed to orient U.S. grantees with relevant information about the Fulbright Program in Colombia, share some practical guidelines as they prepare for their Fulbright experience, provide an overview of the country, and make available some specific recommendations on how to handle unexpected situations during the fellowship period, which is particularly important under the current circumstances.
Services
ASPE Guide
Fulbright Grantees receive a limited coverage accident and illness benefit plan designed by the U.S. Department of State and administered by Seven Corners, Inc. This plan is NOT an insurance policy. The Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE) is a limited health care benefit plan designed to pay medical expenses for participants supported by the U.S. Department of State. Covered medical expenses are subject to limitations, ASPE provides Fulbrighters with health care coverage for the duration of their award.
Phone Tree
This is a rapid response security verification mechanism implemented by the Fulbright Commission in Colombia to contact all U.S. grantees in the country in the event of an emergency (disaster or terrorist attack). This system will be activated by a text message or phone call. The Phone Tree can be implemented locally or regionally, depending on the scope of the emergency.
Upon the grantee’s arrival in Colombia, The Fulbright Commission will add the grantee to a WhatsApp group chat, to be used only in the event of an emergency. During such events, the Fulbright Commission will send a notification for U.S. grantees to confirm their status.
