Tabor College prof returns from second Fulbright assignment

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN
Richard Kyle, professor of history and religious studies at Tabor College, recently returned to the United States after spending the 2006 spring semester teaching American Studies at Yanka Kupla State University, Grodno, Belarus.

The faculty exchange was a part of the Fulbright Scholars program, the flagship international educational program sponsored by the United States government.

The Fulbright scholarship is designed to “increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries,” according to its Web site.

Scholars are chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential. About 6,000 individuals participate annually.

Kyle isn’t new to the Fulbright Scholars program. In 2000, he taught American studies at the National University of Kiev-Mohyla Academy, Kiev, Ukraine.

Kyle said it was more difficult to receive his second scholarship.

“The Fulbright scholarship has a policy of not giving preference to people who have had a previous Fulbright, as I did,” Kyle said. “I was actually invited to another country, but since I already had one (Fulbright scholarship), I was shifted to Belarus.”

Despite the restrictions, Kyle was awarded his scholarship in March 2005 after submitting an application, references and a lengthy proposal for acceptance into the chosen country.

He wasn’t accepted into Belarus until November 2005 and was to report to Belarus by February.

“Being a rigid dictatorship, Belarus must issue you an invitation and a visa, or your approval from the Fulbright office means nothing,” Kyle said. “You cannot get into the country.”

Once in Belarus, Kyle taught four courses at the university. He taught a mini-graduate course on American culture and three undergraduate courses: Religion in American Culture; Modern American History and Culture; and United States History.

Although Kyle said he enjoys the international scene and culture, he mentioned struggles about living in a dictatorship.

“With only one American in a city of 300,000, I experienced some social isolation,” he said.

Kyle spent his free time at a physical fitness club, walking around the city and reading. Because the news in Belarus is controlled by a dictator, Kyle used the Internet to keep up with world events.

Despite the social isolation, Kyle had an agreeable time.

“My most enjoyable time was touring the three Baltic states with my wife, who came over for two weeks,” he said. “The old cities of their capitals were very interesting.”

Kyle has taught at Tabor since 1972. During that time, he has written seven books and more than 85 articles on topics such as alternative religions, millennial movements, the Scottish Reformation and American evangelicalism.

Additionally, Kyle has traveled to 52 countries, directed 21 tours, including Tabor’s annual European trip, taking about 465 students to 30 countries.

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