Humphrey Fellow from Mozambique visits Bristol Community College

As part of the Department of State’s 2018-2019 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program, Isaura Mauelele of Mozambique, a visiting international fellow, will be learning about U.S. higher education at Bristol Community College and to share their professional expertise and cultures with these campus communities this week.

Mauelele is visiting Bristol Community College from until March 30. In addition to learning about community colleges and the SouthCoast, Mauelele is interested in land policies and agriculture investment. Bristol has a Sustainable Agriculture option under its associate of science in life sciences degree.

“Agriculture is a very important field to my country because it is very rich in terms of resources and land,” she explained, adding that she hopes to continue working with Bristol and implementing activities together."

Since 2015, Bristol has hosted Humphrey Fellows almost every year. They have come from Cape Verde, Mozambique and Estonia. Bill Berardi, dean of the Division of Business and Information Management, has coordinated the program since its inception.

“This program has been a rewarding experience for me as I have been able to work with people from other parts of the world, and learn about their customs and cultures,” he said, “I have also been able to assist them in completing their Fellowship program.”

The fellows spend each day meeting with college and community leaders, visiting Bristol’s New Bedford and Fall River campuses, touring Bridgewater State University, exploring the Blackstone Valley and visiting locations that provide insight into their areas of interest and study.

During her stay at Bristol, Mauelele will be visiting a farm in Westport. She will also sit in on a Portuguese class and visit Bristol’s LusoCentro to share her experiences living in what was once and African colony of Portugal.

Traditionally, the guests end their visit with a trip to Boston to see historical sites and to eat in a North End restaurant. While in Fall River, they will enjoy ethic restaurants, and meet students, faculty and learn about the history of the SouthCoast.

Founded in 1978 in honor of the late senator and vice president, the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program provides a year of professional enrichment in the United States for professionals from designated countries throughout the world. Fellows are selected based on their potential for leadership and their commitment to public service in either the public or private sector.

Each year approximately 150 Fellows pursue professional enrichment through graduate-level non-degree study and related professional experiences at selected American universities.

The program has a network of over 5,800 alumni in 162 countries around the world working to improve their communities and the lives of those in need. The Humphrey Fellowship Program is funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Institute of International Education.