Seven members of the Fulbright UK Teachers Exchange Class of 2009–2010 reunited on London’s sunny South Bank over the weekend of 25–26 July 2026, proving that the friendships and professional connections formed through the Fulbright programme remain as strong as ever.

Friends travelled from Scotland, the Netherlands and all corners of England to spend the weekend reminiscing about the life-changing experience they shared more than 16 years ago. Despite taking different career paths and living in different parts of the UK and Europe, one thing united everyone: all have remained in education throughout their careers. The group includes current and former headteachers, senior leaders, teachers and recently retired educators who have spent decades embracing both the rewards and the challenges of the profession. While education has changed enormously since 2010, everyone agreed that the same passion for making a difference to young people’s lives continues to inspire them.

Conversation quickly turned to memories of the exchange year in America. Each teacher had been placed in a different school and community, giving them the opportunity to immerse themselves in American education while sharing British teaching and learning with colleagues across the Atlantic. Stories flowed about classrooms, host families, road trips, cultural discoveries, lifelong friendships and the unforgettable moments that shaped both their professional practice and their lives.

The Fulbright Teacher Exchange is far more than a professional development programme. It is a unique cultural exchange that broadens perspectives, builds lasting international friendships and creates lifelong ambassadors for education. It is an experience that changes the way you see the world, and one that only fellow Fulbrighters can truly understand. There is an instant connection when alumni meet again—a shared understanding of what it meant to live, teach and learn in another country.

As the group reflected on how education has evolved over the past 16 years, they spoke openly about the increasing complexities of the profession but also about the privilege of being educators. The reunion was a reminder that, despite the challenges schools face, the enthusiasm, optimism and commitment that brought them together through Fulbright still remain.

The weekend ended with plenty of laughter, plans for future reunions and a renewed appreciation for the remarkable opportunity the Fulbright programme gave them. More than a reunion, it was a celebration of lifelong friendships, a shared love of teaching and the lasting impact that cultural exchange can have on both educators and the young people whose lives they influence.

Here’s to the next reunion—and to the enduring spirit of the Fulbright Class of 2009–2010