A Foreign Fulbrighter’s Field Experience

A Yemeni Fulbright Student Travels Across U.S. for Summer Project

My name is Aziz, and I am a Yemeni Foreign Fulbright Student studying Conflict Resolution at Portland State University. A unique requirement for my degree program is completing 200 hours of practicum (in-the-field study). I am writing this blog post about my practicum experience, because it was an incredible complement to my studies and my time in the United States as a Fulbrighter.

For my field practice, I knew wanted to experience a new region of the United States. After some research, I located a community relations project near Detroit, Michigan that is managed by Global Impact, a non-governmental organization that specializes in promoting social entrepreneurship and society-based projects. The project in Michigan was perfect fit for my practicum because it involved elements of both human relations and cultural exchange.

“-A unique opportunity to provide students with my own insight into Yemeni culture and current events.” - Aziz

  The period of my practicum was summer 2015. During that time, my primary duty was to meet with student volunteers from around the United States and introduce them to life in the small town of Hamtramck, Michigan. This was a fascinating opportunity because I helped these students explore Hamtramck just as I did Portland when I began as a Fulbrighter.  Also, Hamtramck is a diverse area. In fact, a recent survey showed that 26 languages are spoken in the area’s public high schools. One of the largest international communities in the area is Yemeni, which provided me a unique opportunity to provide students with my own insight into Yemeni culture and current events.
 

Through working in such a diverse community, and with volunteers from around the U.S., I learned that people can come to an understanding and live in peace, no matter their backgrounds, as long as they have the opportunity to interact with one another on a humanistic level. The Fulbright Program created the opportunity for me to live and work in Michigan by giving me the opportunity to study in the United States and also by allowing me the flexibility to conduct my practicum in another area of the country.

 

Aziz is a Yemeni student studying Conflict Resolution at Portland State University. After graduating in May 2016, Aziz hopes to return to Yemen and implement a teaching curriculum that builds mutual understanding during conflict.

 

Egyptian Fulbright Student Experiences Iconic Thanksgiving Tradition

For years I have been watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade online and marveling at the massive crowds and huge balloons marching along Manhattan’s streets. I never imagined that one day I would be there watching in-person. But, that’s exactly what happened! I traveled all the way from Elon University in North Carolina to New York City for Thanksgiving.

Needless to say, my first Thanksgiving in America was certainly an adventure. On Thanksgiving morning, my friends and I woke up at 5:30am and headed to 74th street to find a spot near the very beginning of the parade along the western side of Central Park. Even though waiting from 6am seems too early, we barely found a good spot among the crowds. We learned that some people had been staying overnight and guarding their spots in the very first row.

Visiting New York City during Thanksgiving was perfect because the weather wasn’t yet brutally cold, and the festivities (and holiday discounts) were at their peak all over the city. The main event for me, however, was definitely the parade.

The event started with confetti-throwing clowns, next there were the famous Macy’s Parade balloons that were greeted by massive cheers from thousands of spectators. Finally came the part everyone was waiting for, the popular character balloons such as Sponge Bob, Snoopy, Ronald McDonald and many others. My favorite was the Thanksgiving turkey; you'd rarely find someone who doesn't like that balloon!

Both children and adults were cheering for the floats, some featuring celebrities such as Mariah Carey, Train, Chris Daughtry and others.

 

 

 

The parade lasted until 12pm and ended in front of Macy's Herald Square. After that, the streets remained closed so cleaning vehicles could make Manhattan clean for the rest of Thanksgiving celebrations.

 

 

 

Experiencing Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in New York City was definitely an unforgettable adventure for me and a highlight of my Fulbright experience. Adventures like these allow me to meet people from around the world and experience their cultures. It’s nice to meet those who share the same enthusiasm for travel and culture as I do.  

 

Salma Tantawi is a first-semester M.A. student in Elon University’s iMedia program. She enjoys photography, and plans to work in online, digital media publishing in the future.

 

 

Paying-it-Forward

Fulbright Student Provides Exchange for Others

 

Luma with Pakistani Scholars at Center for International Development

 

 

From June-July 2015, I had the opportunity to work at Ball State University’s Center for International Development (CID) in Muncie, Indiana, as a team member on its partnership program with the University of Quaid-i-Azam in Islamabad, Pakistan. The goal of the partnership is to foster understanding and cultural growth, as well as to raise the capacity of the Area Study Center at QAU (which is focused on English studies).

My role was planning and implementing a visit to Ball State University and New York City for Pakistani scholars, as a culmination of the three-year partnership. First, I served on the screening and selection process, which required a deep understanding of the requirements of the program. Then I helped establish the criteria for selection, develop the six week itinerary, and liaise with the students prior to and during the program.

 

 

Day trip to Conner Prairie Interactive History Park in Muncie

I am very proud to have been a part of this initiative, as it was an enriching experience for myself and the students. In fact, I was really impressed by the Pakistani scholars’ pride and great sense of humor. They were very passionate about educating students in Indiana about their own values and beliefs. Also, they successfully bridged the gap between the two cultures and showed a level of religious and cultural tolerance that was admirable.

 

 

“They successfully bridged the gap between the two cultures.” – Luma reflecting on her Pakistani scholars.

 

Cultural excursion to Times Square

The Fulbright Program made working at the CID and witnessing the exchange journeys of these students possible. I was grateful to have the unique opportunity to apply my cross-cultural and interpersonal skills learned during my time as a Fulbright Foreign Student. In addition, it was a formative experience to collaborate with CID staff whose expertise was focused on peace studies, conflict studies, and international relations/diplomacy.

 

Luma Bashmi is a Bahraini student studying Psychological Research at California State University, Long Beach. Luma hopes to found a psychological research lab in Bahrain that will facilitate the study of public health and public policy phenomena.

 

 

 

Yemeni Fulbrighter Engages University through Forum on the Middle East



Students engaging in after lecture Q&A

~

I am a current Yemeni Fulbright graduate student in the Department of Communications and Journalism at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. Recently, I had the opportunity to work with my academic advisor to develop and organize a cross-disciplinary colloquium series titled, “Islam and the Middle East after Arab Spring,” the first of its kind at UNM.

Professor Kassem discusses key events leading to the Arab Spring

I became involved with the colloquium because I was one of only two students in the department from the Middle East. My advisor and I thought that the lecture series would be an opportunity for me to share my first-hand knowledge, and also for the University of New Mexico community to learn about my region of the world.

The best aspects of organizing this event were getting more involved with the community of the UNM, contacting different people from the different schools, looking for speakers and announcing the lectures. Importantly, I had the opportunity to introduce the speakers before lectures, which offered me the chance to stress the importance of the series to the UNM community.  Eventually, seven speakers agreed to attend; all of them from different social, academic, ethnic and political backgrounds. All speakers adopted a variety of perspectives and held Q&A with both professors and students from the different colleges of the UNM.



Professor Gilboa discusses media coverage of the Middle East

Some Topics Covered:

-    Roots of failure: Failed states of the Middle East. Speaker: Dr. Sami Shakir.

-   The root causes for the Arab Spring. Speaker: Dr. Khaled Kassem

-    Western media coverage of the Middle East. Speaker: Prof. Eytan Gilboa

As a Fulbrighter, I was uniquely prepared to serve as organizer because I had the opportunity receive academic training at UNM. Importantly, being a Fulbrighter also allowed me to embrace the Fulbright spirit of engaging and exchanging with a new culture. Additionally, as a Middle Eastern student, it was important for me to organize the lecture series because I believed that the community of the UNM needs to hear and learn more about Middle Eastern issues and their impacts on regional and international politics.

 

Fatima studies at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque and will complete her M.A. in Communication in 2016.

Teaching Kids about Green Healthy Homes



The project team from left to right

(Shireen Khaldi, Maiss Razem, Zein Razem)

Since being awarded the Alumni Community Action Grant for the project ‘Teaching Kids about Green Healthy Homes’ in July 2015, I have been thrilled at the passionate responses from students in exhibiting genuine concern for our environment. This project represents an initiative to teach 14-year-old students about green healthy homes. By showing a model of a green home, showcasing energy saving devices in the classroom, and distributing water-saving devices, the students are engaged and learn the positive role they can play to become environmentally conscientious citizens of Jordan, which is a country that is scarce in energy and water resources.

The project, which I named ‘Bayti-Bee’ati’, which translates to English as ‘My Home is My Environment’, is run by a team of three that includes myself and Shireen Khaldi as the architects and presenters of the sessions, and Zein Razem who is a co-presenter and activity coordinator.


                     Model of a Green House showing shadows  in summertime                     



                            Team presenting at Haya Cultural Center                   

 

So far we have held six sessions: four at UNRWA Schools for Girls, and two at community centers. Unlike most schools in Jordan, community centers provide a meeting space for many students from various schools to widen our circle of influence, and reach out to both boys and girls. The experience thus far has been rewarding for us and the kids.

Children learning to make miniature home models



 

 

 

In Jordan, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) provides basic education to over 115,000 students from Palestinian refugee families at 172 UNRWA schools, with girls making up around half of UNRWA students. By networking with staff members who worked at these four schools the project was warmly received. Three sessions were held,  at UNRWA Schools of Marka district in September, and one at Zarqa district where three took place during October; the first of which at Haya Cultural Center for kids, the second at Zaha Cultural Center to Princess Rahma and the team of Greener Amman 2020, and the third one at the UNRWA School of Nazzal district. In total, 205 students attended these sessions. They were especially interested in the model (pictured below) that embodied all the environmental aspects of what represents a green home.

The Team with HRH Princess Rahma &                                                                                        

Mr. Imad Dabbas, Head of ‘Green Amman 2020’ Committee

Throughout our presentations, I noticed how the students were captivated by the view of the model in front of them—leaning from their desks to capture every detail of the model’s exterior. Many students asked incredulously: ”Did you make the model yourselves? It is really amazing!” When I assured them that we made did them from scratch, several of students announced that now they aspire to become architects! It is in these special moments that my team and I feel most proud. We are serving as models of professional and creative women for students still finding their paths.

 

"Several students announced they now aspire to become architects!" ~ Riman

 

Students discovering design features of models

When asked what a green home is, the majority of the kids answered that it is a home with a lot of plants, which shows the limits of the literal use of the word ‘green’ in their environmental vocabulary. Once the roof of the house was removed, the students were divided into groups to view the house’s interior and brainstorm about the environmental features they think are unique to the house which included furniture materials, colors, room layout and zoning.

 

The model proved to be a thought-provoking tool and a source of admiration by all such as Nada who reflected, “I liked the model, since it is well-made and very beautiful and I hope to make one just like it in the future.” Not only was the message of the importance of environmental architecture delivered to the children, but the joy of contemplating the design and artistry of the house also brought them a deeper understanding of architecture as a profession.

 

Eager students answering questions about the environment

Next, a thermal imaging camera was passed along the desks showing the areas where heat was emitted in the classroom from possible sources such as artificial lighting and windows, which added another visual conceptualization for the kids to learn of the need of thermal insulation and the use of non-heat emitting lamps.  The students were thrilled to see the environment of their classroom transformed into heat emitting objects, as they were shown how the classroom’s light bulbs and windows were bright yellow/red compared to their blue surroundings.

 

 

Maiss showing the heat detected by the thermal imaging camera

 

In general, the students easily understood some environmental concepts such as the value of recycling, use of energy-saving lamps, and the importance of planting (since most of these practices are taught and/or implemented in their schools). It was evident; however, that many were oblivious to the energy and water shortage problems Jordan faces today. The term ‘grey water’ was a new concept for them. One student remarked, ”Why do we need to use grey water if I can simply open the water tap and get clean water instead?” This made me realize that the water crisis in Jordan is not understood, and that it is not enough only to deliver a message that we need to save water, but also to communicate the extent of efforts and financial burden the government has undertaken to provide potable water with very limited resources.

Students from First Marka School showing water saving devices

In the end we hope and truly aspire to instigate behavioral change through the knowledge gained by these kids to positively influence their households.  After analyzing the responses from 136 evaluation forms filled by the students, 71% answered they had no prior knowledge of green homes, and 60% did not know about what an architect does; an insight that warrants further attempts at spreading awareness through this project. While the grant ends in October 2015, ‘Bayti-Bee’ati’ is only in its startup phase. In fact, organizations such as Zaha Cultural Center and Amman Ahlia University, have expressed interest in partnering with us in the future. In order for this movement to spread and to become a national campaign, not only targeting schools of Amman but other governorates as well, we will need partner organizations’ help. I am hopeful and eager to continue this impactful mission that is stirring ripples of change in my beloved Jordan.





For more information on what has been achieved so far, visit ‘Bayti-Bee’ati’ Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/envirohabitation Maiss Razem is a Jordanian alumna who received a Master’s degree in Architecture from Virginia Tech.





Seattle: Coming home to a place I’ve never been before

I spent the past summer - from June to August 2015 – interning as part of the Retail Leadership Development program at Amazon in Seattle. I was working with the Canada Retail Team on reducing the amount of inventory that goes into markdowns. The project involved a lot of data analysis and number crunching but also innovation as we came up with new solutions to transform how the business works. Finally, I was able to witness and contribute to the huge “Amazon Prime day” event, an exclusive sales event for Prime members which turned out to be a major success. 

During my time at Amazon all of my work was directed at the impact that my project would have on Amazon’s customers and how to make them happy. That culture is a unique one and not many businesses adhere to the extreme standards that Amazon abides by when it comes to customer satisfaction; this aspect was a great learning experience for me. Apparently consumers aren’t the only ones that Amazon knows how to please: with the dog treat vending machines on each of the office floors, it is no wonder a lot of Amazon employees bring their dogs along to work daily. As a dog lover I enjoyed working on great ideas being surrounded by man’s best friend!

Making friends with Hunter in my cubicle space

Now to the best part of my internship experience: Seattle! Seattle for me was like “coming home to a place I’ve never been before.” I was living in Capitol Hill, one of the city's most prominent nightlife and entertainment districts. This neighborhood is known for its history of art and culture and is full of cafes and bars. On weekends, I nurtured the part of me that loves being outdoors: I went hiking at Mount Rainer; visited the San Juan Islands and watched orcas swimming in their natural habitat; I was able to camp by the Pacific Ocean; and also take weekend getaways to Portland and other neighboring cities. The awe-inspiring landscapes of the Pacific Northwest never ceased to amaze me.

The internship experience not only allowed me to apply a lot of the business concepts I studied during my first year in the MBA program at Georgetown University, but it also enabled me to experience one of the most amazing states in the USA. Most of all, I now come back refreshed and energized to start the second and final year of my studies here at Georgetown University in Washington, DC.

Taking in the view of Diablo Lake in the North Cascades in WA

Hany Salidis is an Egyptian Fulbrighter who is pursuing an MBA student at Georgetown University.

Iraqi Alumna Noha Andrios uses her Fulbright Experience Back Home

Upon concluding her Fulbright program at the University of Wisconsin – Stout where she earned a Master’s degree in Training and Human Resource Development, Iraqi Fulbright grantee Noha Andrios returned to her previous employer charged with ideas on how to improve the workplace and benefit her colleagues and community.

To that effect, and with support from her supervisor who saw the great added value, Noha started the process of establishing a Human Resources department at the Municipality of Duhok, where she works.

“This”, says Noha, “is going to help me greatly to put all the knowledge I got in the two years of Master Degree study in Training & HRD via Fulbright Scholarship to work.”

Noha was invited by the Human Resources Development Directorate in Erbil to present at a seminar attended by officials from various other Directorates of the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG). She was also asked to conduct a 2-hour training session at the Directorate of Tourism about employee evaluation. Both events went very well and Noha received positive feedback from the organizers and attendees. Noha also conducted a seminar about training and human resources development for officials from different directorates in Duhok and is scheduled to speak at a local radio show about the value of training and human resources development in the workplace.

When the Kurdistan Institution for Planning Administration which partners with the KRG’s Ministry of Planning started an effort to create a learning culture in all government offices within the KRG by launching a project called the “2025 Master Plan of Training”, Noha was among the top 20 trainers who were chosen from a group of 500 to launch this project in early 2016.

Whenever she presents at an event, Noha always makes sure to mention that “all the knowledge and the degree I got was only possible through Fulbright Scholarship. Fulbright changed my life and I am very grateful for it. Fulbright was gift from the Lord to me. “

Noha has much to be proud of in terms of what she managed to accomplish in the short time since her return to Iraq in mid-June to fulfill one of the Fulbright program’s important goals of spreading knowledge and giving back to one’s community.

Well done, Noha!

Noha Andrios is a Iraqi Fulbright alumna who completed a Master's in Training and Human Resource Development at University of Wisconsin – Stout. 

The "Diplomacy Begins Here" Regional Summit in New Hampshire

A couple of weeks ago, I attended the Diplomacy Begins Here Global Ties U.S. regional summit in Manchester, New Hampshire. The general theme focused on the important role that the Global Ties U.S., the U.S. Department of State, the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire, and WorldBoston play in helping make the world a better place and engaging globally-minded people from all walks of life to explore the innovation and impact that stem from international relationships.

In the beginning of the program, I had a very brief opportunity to experience how foreign policy is made and what diplomats go through behind closed doors in their mission to reach common ground with their counterparts from other countries. This surprisingly came as the world witnesses what most analysts describe as the worst refugee crisis since WWII. “Protection & Prevention: Minorities, Refugees, and International Resolution” was the title of the simulation which was offered by the U.S. Diplomacy Center for students to play the role of diplomats to find consensus and work towards agreements. The participants were divided into different groups where each person represented a fictional country or NGO. By the end of this experience, there were two things I learned. The first was that becoming a diplomat could sometimes lead to many conflicts between your personal beliefs and those of your professional affiliation, which was extremely difficult to manage to get through (no wonder why I really was terrible as a diplomat!). The second was that successful diplomacy requires, beyond the art of negotiation and the “know your opponent” tactics that every diplomat should possess, talking universally and inclusively (including allies and enemies) while being flexible, highly determined, detail-oriented, and most importantly positive at all times. Overall, it was a very interesting experience and, very importantly, an opportunity to sense the horrendous pain and sufferings of those who become subject to tremendous discrimination and injustice in wars.

The second half of the summit consisted of many inspiring and interesting talks from incredibly amazing people. Among the topics discussed were the power of exchanges in the business world, the role of New England in the international business community, and the effects of citizen diplomacy to share culture and change lives globally. During the lunch break, we also had a guided tour of downtown Manchester to learn more about the history and future of the city, which was an amazing way to meet more people and acquaint myself with this beautiful city.

Finally at the dinner, Kelly Ayotte, U.S. Senator for New Hampshire, gave an exciting speech to celebrate citizen diplomacy and corporate social responsibility while we enjoyed our super delicious entrées. After dinner, Seth Goldman concluded the summit with his own journey as the co-founder and CEO of Honest Tea, a bottled organic tea company which was acquired wholly by Coca-Cola in 2011. Besides his inspiring story as an entrepreneur, what attracted me the most was his commitment to creating a brand of social change and his strong determination to help underprivileged farmers sustain and develop their main source of income. I also had a chance to view a few pages of his book Mission in a Bottle.

I was privileged to attend this summit and meet so many great people from all around the world. I definitely made awesome friends and I look forward to visiting them in New Hampshire sometime soon.

Eyad Alnaqi is a Bahraini Fulbrighter who is pursuing a Master’s in Telecommunications Systems Management at Northeastern University.