Date: Fri 03-May-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Ridarelli-Fulbright-Scholar

Full Text:

Fulbright Scholar And Teacher Will Take On The Lessons Of South Africa

B Y S TEVE B IGHAM

Newtown High School history teacher Carol Ridarelli is headed to South Africa

this summer to see how the country's quality of life has changed since the end

of apartheid two years ago.

Ms Ridarelli, along with 18 other American educators, is making the trip after

receiving a Fulbright Scholarship Award, which is presented annually to

qualified teachers in an effort to increase their knowledge and understanding

of the rest of the world.

The 12th-year NHS teacher embarks on her second trip through the Fulbright

program. In 1989, Ms Ridarelli traveled to Israel to study the Intifada, the

1987 uprising of Palestinian youths against Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip

and other occupied territories. In Israel, Ms Ridarelli traveled throughout

the country interviewing both Israelis and Palestinians to get their take on

the violent movement.

Ms Ridarelli will travel to townships of South Africa to talk with people

about their lives and how they may have changed. Much like a journalist, the

teacher will be seeking out the truth and may have to make an extra effort to

speak with all sides since government censorship is a possibility.

"I want to look at what `real' changes have occurred there," she explained

Monday. "I want to find out how the life of the average citizen, both white

and non-white, has changed under the leadership of Nelson Mandela,

socio-economically, educationally, and culturally."

After more than 50 years of apartheid rule, South Africans took part in the

first-ever democratic elections in 1994 that resulted in the formation of a

Government of National Unity.

During the six-week tour entitled, "Understanding the New South Africa: A

Major African Power in Transition," Ms Ridarelli plans to learn how South

Africa's changes are perceived by its younger generation of citizens as

compared with its older generation.

Does she expect to meet with Mr Mandela?

"Everybody keeps asking me that question. That's like meeting President

Clinton. I would love to, but I don't know if I will," she said.

While in Israel, the NHS teacher did meet several high-ranking government and

military leaders, including the son of former Prime Minister Menachem Begin.

Though the unrest continues in South Africa, Ms Ridarelli said she's not at

all concerned. She realizes the trip is a chance of a lifetime and expects to

make the most of it.

While in Israel, Ms Ridarelli was required to complete her project, a daunting

task since she had access to only one shoddy typewriter and an out-of-date

computer. She hopes she'll be able to finish her South African project after

she returns home.

The South African tour will be administered for the US Department of Education

by The African-American Institute in Washington, DC.

The Fulbright application process is a lengthy one, and Ms Ridarelli said she

spent hours filling out all the forms. It included three essays, one on

international understanding, another on her research project plans, and a

third on how the teacher will implement the project.

Upon their return, Fulbright participants are expected to share their

broadened knowledge and understanding of the host country with students,

colleagues, members of civic and professional organizations and the public in

their respective home communities.

Ms Ridarelli, who currently teaches American Studies, US History, American

Government and Middle East Studies at NHS, will be teaching an African studies

course in years to come.

The Fulbright Scholarship is named after J. William Fulbright, the US Senator

from Arkansas during the 1960s, who pushed for American educators to gain a

better understanding of what life is like in other parts of the world.

The Fulbright Foreign Scholarship board, appointed by the President of the

United States, has the overall responsibility for managing the Fulbright

Program worldwide. It is composed of 12 members drawn from academic, cultural

and public life.

Funding for the program is derived from the sale of US surplus property

abroad.

Ms Ridarelli departs for South Africa in late June and will return in early

August, a period that corresponds to winter months in the southern hemisphere.