Where does a law professor with a résumé packed with international accomplishments place Fulbright on the scale of national importance? As it turns out, pretty high.

David Gantz, University of Arizona Samuel M. Fegtly Professor of Law Emeritus and longtime director of the International Trade and Business Law Program (1993–2017), describes the Fulbright Program as “a small budget item that delivers exceptional results—at least, that has been my experience over the years.”

In 2013, as a Fulbright Specialist awardee, Gantz taught international trade law in Chile to reinforce a new collaboration between the University of Arizona and the Universidad Mayor in Santiago. Earlier that year, the universities had established a National Law Center office and launched a dual-degree law program alongside a formal student exchange agreement.

He remembers the appeal of the city’s thriving out-of-doors lifestyle and the dedication of his Chilean students. “They were invested in learning the material,” he says. “It came with the prestige of the U.S. legal system.”

Gantz recalls his intrigue over the urban transformation occuring in Santiago—“new skyscrapers shared the city with shanty towns.” He remembers the appeal of the city’s thriving out-of-doors lifestyle and the dedication of his Chilean students. “They were invested in learning the material,” he says. “It came with the prestige of the U.S. legal system.”

Gantz’s involvement with Fulbright began well before his award. As law school director of the LLM international trade and business law program, he welcomed many Fulbright scholars to the U of A and helped shape several international initiatives. These included a longstanding legal education consortium linking law schools across Mexico, Canada, and the U.S., and a partnership with a Universidad Jean Moulin in Lyon, France.

“A group of us at the Arizona Law believed it was important for J.D. students to gain exposure beyond U.S. borders,” he says. “And it enriched us to welcome international students to our campus.” Gantz believes studying abroad can enhance legal education by broadening cultural understanding and building critical language and cross-border negotiation skills. One Fulbright student to Arizona Law became the vice minister of justice in Vietnam, he said, and others assumed high-ranking posts in Panama and Trinidad and Tobago, among other places.

“Fulbright is an opportunity to forge relationships that can shape a lifetime,” says Gantz. “And if you become a public servant or otherwise commit to doing good with your life, the value of those connections can be incalculable.”

The Fulbright Specialist Program offers fully funded opportunities for U.S. higher education administrators to participate in projects abroad lasting two to six weeks. The Fulbright Specialist Program is a prestigious opportunity that opens doors to collaboration with colleagues and students worldwide. Campus resources are available for applicant support. Contact Danielle Barefoot, Research Development Services, to get started.