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.