Teaching Across Borders: FC Professor Dr. Jonathan Chilcote Brings American History to Slovakia
Written by Dr. Jonathan Chilcote
July 6, 2026 | 4 min read.
“Where?” This was the most common reaction when we told people we were moving to Slovakia.While not as popular as some other destinations in Central Europe, this small, landlocked country is where my family and I are spending the spring semester. I was named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar for 2025-26 to Slovakia, where I am teaching on U.S. foreign relations and culture. The Fulbright program is both an academic and cultural exchange, with American scholars, students, and other professionals going to work and study in different countries, and many others coming to learn and teach in the United States.
During our time in Slovakia, we are living in Banská Bystrica, a centrally located town of about 80,000 in the beautiful foothills of the Low Tatra Mountains. The town dates to the Middle Ages when it was founded by German miners. While mining activity has long since ceased, it still bears the marks and architecture of a prosperous, medieval past.
I was invited here by the Faculty of Political Science and International Relations at Matej Bel University to work with them during the semester. As part of my work, I have lectured in numerous courses, both undergraduate and graduate, over topics in U.S. foreign relations and American culture. The students, many of whom wish to work in diplomacy or foreign service careers, show a deep respect for the United States, its history, and its people. I was also honored to present a lecture for the University commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration ofIndependence and to discuss its impact around the world and the spread of liberty since 1776.
Worshipping here has been both challenging and encouraging. The nearest congregation is in Bratislava, which takes over three hours to get to by bus or train. We have worshipped with them in person, but because the Christians in this part of the world are so spread out, they also conduct their worship over Zoom with active participation from both those in person and online. We have also met some brethren who live part-time in this area (and who are fluent in English), and we have assembled with them in town and worshipped with them in person, while also meeting with everyone else on Zoom. They also translate forus both here in Banská Bystrica and in Bratislava, which is immensely helpful. Because Christians attend from different countries,their worship services alternate languages between Slovak, Czech, Latin, and English. Sometimes we will use four different languages for songs in just one service. It can be difficult to keep up with everything, but the group is very kind and welcoming. They are small in number, but very dedicated and have many young children. The future is bright for the Lord’s church in this part of Slovakia.
While we have spent much of the time exploring our town and the surrounding region, the biggest trip we took was to Athens, Greece. I was invited by the Fulbright Greece commission to speak on the diplomatic impact of the Declaration of Independence at an enrichment seminar they held for Fulbright grantees living in Greece and Eastern and Southern Europe. I recently traveled to Bratislava to speak at a Fulbright Slovakia event held in conjunction with the State Department’s Freedom 250 initiative, which centers on diplomacy between the United States and Europe and the American entrepreneurial tradition.
This experience has been amazing for my family. Beyond the quality time together, every day the kids are immersed in a culture that, while outwardly very different from that of the United States, with time becomes more open and very similar to what they are accustomed. People are people wherever you go, and the Slovaks have been kind and welcoming to us since the beginning. I am glad the kids can see that firsthand. For Kristen and I, who grew up in the closing years of the Cold War, to live in a place and to hear the stories from people who also lived through that conflict, but from the other side of the Iron Curtain has been enlightening.
These last few months have been transformative for all of us. Getting to experience a new culture, country, university, and meet fascinating people has been a blessing and something that has changed our perspective and made us more aware of God’s incredible world.
