In recent years, Fulbright participants have been using social networking tools to communicate with their host institutions upon completing their studies and returning to their home countries. These Fulbright alumni have also utilized Skype, Facebook, Twitter, Hi-5 and other social media applications to share information about their experiences with incoming Fulbrighters - including information about housing, utilities and cultural do’s and don’ts - to make the transition easier for new participants.

Fulbright organizers asked the Lindberg Group to conduct research on these practices and make recommendations on how social networking might be utilized in a more organized capacity. In response, the Lindberg Group held a meeting in Washington, DC, where Fulbright alumni were interviewed to see how and why they were using social networking.

After this meeting, the Lindberg Group used these findings to create a Virtual Ambassador Program white paper. The concepts included the creation of a panel of Fulbright alumni who would serve as official mentors to incoming Fulbrighters. These “Virtual Ambassadors” would share their knowledge through blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Skype and other applications.

The Fulbright organizers used several of the recommendations from the white paper to create a Virtual Ambassadors program. The Lindberg Group was subsequently involved in creating training and orientation materials for the incoming Ambassadors, which were delivered via webinars prior to the program’s official launch.