American Voices Seminar
The seminar provides an opportunity to learn about various aspects of the American society and culture through the experiences of U.S. Fulbright grantees currently in Finland. The seminar is organized by the Fulbright Finland Foundation and the Department of English at the University of Turku.
The 32nd American Voices Seminar will be organized on October 10-11, 2025, at the University of Turku.
The seminar is open to the public and free of charge, and you are warmly welcome to attend either individual sessions or stay for the full two-day program.
You have an opportunity to visit the Fulbright Finland Foundation stand outside the seminar hall for information on studying in and on scholarship opportunities to the U.S.
Program in 2024
Friday, October 11, 2024
Tauno Nurmela Hall
14:00-14:15 Welcome and Opening Remarks
- Janne Korkka, Senior Lecturer, Department of English, University of Turku
- Pekka Lintunen, Professor and Deputy Head of School of Languages and Translation Studies, Department of English, University of Turku
- Terhi Mölsä, Chief Executive Officer, Fulbright Finland Foundation
14:15-15:10 Landing in “Flyover Country”: Identifying and Appreciating America Beyond the Northeast & Coastal California
- Katelyn Moje, Fulbright-LUT University Graduate Awardee
- Lauren Rod, Fulbright-LUT University Graduate Awardee
- Julie Shortridge, Fulbright-University of Oulu Scholar
- Joshua Wilson, Fulbright Bicentennial Chair in American Studies
Chair: Janne Korkka, Senior Lecturer, Department of English, University of Turku
15:10-15:15 Greetings from the Fulbright Finland Foundation
15:15-15:45 Refreshment Break
15:45-16:25 Regional Food Culture in the United States
- Ava Asmus, Fulbright-LUT University Graduate Awardee
- Kate Elder, Fulbright-VTT Award in Science, Technology and Innovation
- Anh Nguyen, Fulbright-Aalto University Graduate Awardee
Chair: Casie Hermansson, Professor, Pittsburg State University; 2013-14 Fulbright-University of Turku Scholar Award
16:25-16:40 Break
16:40-17:10 Black Friday and Cyber Monday
- Eugénie Euskirchen, Seeking Solutions for Global Challenges Award
- Amy Fowler, Fulbright-University of Turku Scholar
Chair: Janne Korkka, Senior Lecturer, Department of English, University of Turku
17:10 Closing Words
Saturday, October 12, 2024
Tauno Nurmela Hall
10:15-10:55 “American Ways” of Living in the Eyes of New Americans
- Daekwan Kim, Fulbright-University of Vaasa Scholar
- Xiaomao Lin, Fulbright-Saastamoinen Foundation Grant in Health and Environmental Sciences
- Gang Wang, Fulbright-Hanken Distinguished Chair in Business and Economics
Chair: Janne Korkka, Senior Lecturer, Department of English, University of Turku
10:55-11:20 Refreshment Break
11:20-12:00 Trail Magic: Exploring Great American Hiking Challenges and Freedom to Roam in the U.S.
- Paul Conroy, Fulbright-University of Helsinki Graduate Awardee
- Jenna Fazio, Fulbright-LUT University Graduate Awardee
- Megan Thiede, Fulbright-Tampere University Graduate Awardee
Chair: Casie Hermansson, Professor, Pittsburg State University; 2013-14 Fulbright-University of Turku Scholar Award
12:00-12:40 Super Bowl Sunday: America’s Favorite Holiday
- Andrew Greene, Fulbright-University of Turku Graduate Awardee
- Julianne Newmark Engberg, Fulbright-Tampere University Scholar
- Natalie Schirmacher, Fulbright-Tampere University Graduate Awardee
Chair: Janne Korkka, Senior Lecturer, Department of English, University of Turku
12:40-12:45 Closing Words
Read about the seminar:
- Fulbright Seminar Feeds Into University Curriculum - Fulbright Finland News magazine 2/2023
- Fulbright Finland Events and Engagement: the American Voices Seminar - a blog post by 2023-24 Fulbright-University of Turku Graduate Student Chase Friel
Previous American Voices programs
| 30th American Voices | The 30th American Voices seminar took place on October 6-7, 2023, at the University of Turku |
| 29th American Voices | The 29th American Voices seminar took place on October 7-8, 2022, at the University of Turku |
| 28th American Voices | The 28th American Voices seminar took place on October 8-9, 2021, at the University of Turku |
| 27th American Voices | The 27th American Voices seminar took place on October 11-12, 2019, at the University of Turku |
| 26th American Voices | The 26th American Voices Seminar took place on October 12-13, 2018, at the University of Turku. |
| 25th American Voices | The 25th American Voices Seminar took place on October 6-7, 2017, at the University of Turku.
|
| 24th American Voices | The 24th American Voices Seminar took place on October 7-8, 2016, at the University of Turku. |
| 23rd American Voices | The 23rd American Voices Seminar took place on on October 9-10, 2015, at the University of Turku. |
| 22nd American Voices | The 22nd American Voices Seminar took place on on October 10-11, 2014, at the University of Turku. |
| 21st American Voices | The 21st American Voices Seminar took place on on October 11-12, 2013, at the University of Turku. |
| 20th American Voices | The 20th American Voices Seminar took place on on October 12-13, 2012, at the University of Turku. |