Carolyn Hartley, an associate professor in the school, which is part of the University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, is one of the 800 applicants selected in the 2024-2025 academic year and is doing her work in Kosovo, a country in Southeast Europe.  

Hartley is using her 15 years of experience developing curricula and training victim service providers through the Iowa Victim Assistance Academy to inform similar training for professionals working with domestic violence in Kosovo. The idea for her Fulbright proposal emerged after she presented her work to a delegation of professionals from Kosovo visiting Iowa to learn about US responses to violence against women.  Inspired by this interaction, Hartley decided Kosovo was where she wanted to do her Fulbright project. 

“Meeting with the delegation, doing preparatory research about responses to domestic violence in Kosovo, and talking with other Fulbright Scholars to Kosovo all influenced my decision to apply to this country,” Hartley said. 

Hartley is now working to bring her Fulbright proposal to life. Her project involves conducting an assessment to identify training needs for social workers, victim advocates, shelter staff, and police officers who respond to domestic violence. She explains how Kosovo has a strong coffee culture, where meetings often occur over a cup in a café rather than in a formal office. While this relationship-building takes more time, it is an important part of making connections in a collectivistic culture. As such, Hartley has learned how to adjust her research methods and take on strategies that involve interviewing rather than surveys.  

As she progresses in her work, Hartley says she is grateful to her host at the University of Prishtina and the people of Kosovo for their warmth and hospitality.   She is also thankful for the opportunities the Fulbright program has provided, allowing her to fully immerse herself in a new culture. 

“The experience pushes you out of your comfort zone and then opens up incredible new learning opportunities,” she said.