U.S. Fulbright Scholars around the country are active contributors in their entourage.
So is the case of Dr. Thomas Victor O´Brian, of University of Southern Mississippi, who is a profound believer of the benefits and healthy influence of teaching.

A Visiting Scholar, just arrived in Chile last March 2016, Professor O¨Brian gave a presentation at Universidad Católica del Maule last week titled “ Research & Teaching Open the Mind and Improve the World.”

Dr. O´Brian is Professor and Chair of the Department of Educational Studies and Research at the College of Education and Psychology. For the next three months he will conduct an investigation in this field of work at Universidad Católica del Maule, in Talca as part of the US Scholar Fulbright Program.

“Basically I compared research to traveling as a way of learning about the world and changing one’s perspective on world. I then explained that while traveling is an excellent way to learn and gain new perspectives, it is expensive and can at times be frustrating and tiring. I suggested research is not that expensive, but can also be frustrating and tiring, yet it offers similar opportunities for growth and perspective changing.  In short, I concluded both are “good for the soul.”

Dr. O´Brian addressed a general audience of UCM students and faculty and will be closely working with the Chair of the Educational Sciences Faculty, Rodrigo Vargas. “During the presentation I asked those in the audience how many had traveled outside of Chile. Of the 30 or so in the audience, only 3 raised their hands. ´Esta muy caro´.  I then I suggested that good teachers never stop learning and stay active as researchers in some shape or form. In addition to helping the individual, research helps to improve the community in which it takes place, and there are many opportunities for students and faculty to engage in it for self-growth and societal benefit”.