Monday, October 7, 2019

Selection of Year in the Fulbright Life

These are a selection of our Year in the Fulbright Life Stories from the past two years: 

A Year in the Fulbright Life: Jude’s Story

For the next year, Fulbright MENA will be showcasing a handful of students as they study in the United States with their new series, A Year in the Fulbright Life. Each month, spotlighted students will share an update as they continue on their Fulbright journey.

September 2017

“My second year in the United States began similar to the first one: with an unexpected evacuation. Coming from Jordan, I am fascinated by the different climate conditions here, especially hurricanes and tornadoes — magnificent yet dangerous. This year, as Hurricane Irma came roaring towards Savannah, I took refuge in New York City, where I am staying with a friend and enjoying the Big Apple as much as possible.
The weather was perfect in New York with not a cloud in the sky. For now, I’m thankful that Savannah’s people are safe and sound, and I look forward to my second year at SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design).”

A Year in the Fulbright Life: Cosette’s Story

For the next year, Fulbright MENA will be showcasing a handful of students as they study in the United States with their new series, A Year in the Fulbright Life. Each month, spotlighted students will share an update as they continue on their Fulbright journey.

August 2017

I gave a 2-day workshop, “Disrupt Your Business,” for entrepreneurs who want to create innovative solutions for their startup idea or create disruptive products and services for their businesses. The workshop was held at HAYANA, a multidisciplinary collaborative design platform for artists and designers. I was made partner at HAYANA to help with future innovation strategies for the space.

I also volunteered at an organization in Byblos city, Neopreneur, which is an incubation space for entrepreneurs. I taught six volunteers about Human-Centered Design and we worked together for eight weeks on solving the question: “How might we strengthen the cultural community in Byblos?” We held a final event where we organized a roundtable discussion between different stakeholders who are experts and responsible for cultural activities in the city.
I also volunteered and gave a two-hour workshop for Byblos Scout, a Girl Scouts troop. They learned techniques to find creative solutions for their fundraising strategies and yearly camp activities.

September 2017

One thing I appreciate, and that is very different between cultures, is coffee. I invited my friends over to come and try our Lebanese coffee. I showed them how it is made, told them about its history and its cultural significance. I really enjoyed sharing a part of my culture, and my friends enjoyed it as well. I also took the coffee raqwa to my university and brewed coffee for my professors and colleagues.

October 2017

At the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), I get to meet and engage with students from different cultures around the world. Many students at SCAD come from different parts of India, so I learned a lot about their amazing and rich culture. This year, I got to celebrate Diwali with them.
Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights that is celebrated in autumn. It is a festival that highlights the beauty of the Indian culture. It includes a lot of Indian food, Indian music and dancing, and Indian outfits.
During October, I did not attend one Diwali party, but four! It was amazing to experience the culture in terms of its food, fashion, music, and dancing.

November 2017

On Thanksgiving Day, a group of friends and I decided to get together and share food from our countries. There were six of us, from the United States, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Czech Republic, India, and Lebanon. We called our gathering ‘International Friendsgiving.’ We all shared what we are thankful for. I shared my appreciation of being a Fulbrighter and having enriching experiences in the United States. Thank you Fulbright.

November/ December 2017

My mother decided to visit me and got the chance to tour the United States. We went to San Francisco and visited several tourist and cultural attractions like the Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman’s Wharf. I was really happy to share part of my experience with my family, and my mom was happy to visit California. Also, I met two Lebanese Fulbrighters, and we went ice-skating together.

December 2017

SCAD hosts a variety of students from different countries and cultures around the world. While participating in cultural events, birthday parties and other international events, I have tried different dishes from different countries around the world.
When I visited Lebanon in December, I decided to invite my Lebanese friends to a cooking party and an international dinner. I asked my international friends for their favorite recipes from their countries.
Eliska, from Prague, Czech Republic sent me a recipe of Bramboráky; Lisa from Louisiana, sent me a recipe of their most famous dish, Chicken and Sausage Gumbo; Maarsel from the Dominican Republic sent me the recipe of Cielito Lindo; Sunanda from India taught me how to do Chai; Payal from Mumbai, India sent me the recipe of Dum Biryani, a rice dish; Denisse from Mexico City, Mexico taught me how to do the dessert, Arroz Con Leche; Charithra from India taught me how to do Gulab Jamoon; Gaby from Ecuador sent me the recipe of Empanadas De Venito; and Luisa from Columbia gave me the recipe of Arroz Con Pollo.
My friends loved the idea of learning about other cultures through its food and they wanted to learn how to cook the food themselves. I believe that food holds a great cultural significance and one of the greatest ways to learn about a culture is through trying their food.
Cosette is a second-year Fulbrighter from Lebanon. She is currently at Savannah College of Art and Design where she is working towards an MFA in Design Management.


A Year in the Fulbright Life: Rami A.’s

For the next year, Fulbright MENA will be showcasing a handful of students as they study in the United States with their new series, A Year in the Fulbright Life. Each month, spotlighted students will share an update as they continue on their Fulbright journey.

August 2017

My pre-academic course at Ohio University was one of the best experiences I had in the United States. I met nearly 40 people from 25 countries! During the three weeks, we became friends for life, and I discovered we have many things in common. There is always something to talk about and something to laugh at. I had the chance to try nearly everything. From new food to new sports, I learned a lot of new information about different things, including U.S. history and culture.
Rami with other Pre-Ac Students
I also had the chance to visit Cleveland and stay with an American host family for the weekend. I was lucky to be hosted by a wonderful family with two other Fulbrighters. I am still in touch with my host family and will try to see them again if I get another chance to visit Cleveland.
Rami with his Cleveland Host Family
Despite being in the United States for nearly a month, everything at my host university in St. Cloud was new to me. I had to start over and meet new people, make new friends, and get involved on campus and in the community. I managed to do all that in the first three weeks after arriving on campus!
Biking Trip with St. Cloud Students
I was invited by the local community to go on a biking trip, became involved with student organizations, and visited the state fair in Minneapolis. I already have new friends from the United States as well as from different countries. I am still exploring the city, the campus, and looking for many other opportunities on the horizon. I am learning new things about myself and others every day. This has been a great start to my Fulbright experience!
Rami at the Minnesota State Fair: Trying all the local food!
September 2017

This month was an interesting month, classes got started, and the study style in the United States is new to me. The courses are more intensive and shorter as compared to my undergraduate studies in Iraq. I needed some time to catch up and get on track again, which meant a lot of hours in the library and sometimes little sleep, like most Fulbrighters. Now I am feeling more confident and doing well in my classes. Being busy with readings, homework and assignments does not prevent me from having some fun and a good time. I met really interesting international and American students, graduate and undergraduate, and we became a good group of friends. Our university had a student organization fair, where students could sign up for different activates to be more involved on campus. I signed up for the soccer team for weekly games. I also visited downtown Minneapolis several times this month with some friends, exploring the city more and more. During one of our visits, I had the chance to try Mexican food for the first time. My friends and I all like Mexican food, and we are planning to visit the place again.
I also watched my first football game, although I don’t know all the rules yet. It was an opportunity to interact with the local community and have nice conversations with them. My friends and I also started going to the cinema every week to watch a movie at the university (it is free for students). I had the chance as well to try the marshmallow with crackers and chocolate- s’mores., Thanks to the Fulbright Association in Minnesota, I had the chance to meet other Fulbrighters.. The Association took us on a cruise trip, and I had a really good time exploring Minneapolis, meeting other current Fulbrighters and alumni as well.
My September experience ended with a nice, fun hockey game. It was my first time watching and great way to break the routine and have a good time with friends.

October 2017

I took the opportunity of fall break to visit Chicago for four days with a group of my friends. We spent half of our time walking around the city trying to learn more about it. The first thing we tried was the deep dish pizza and Mexican food, visited the Bean, and took a night tour of the city. On the second day we took a walk along Lake Michigan, visited Navy Pier and relaxed for a while. We tried Chicago-style breakfast and the food was so good that we came back our last day! We also went to the Chicago Planetarium and had an Italian diner. On our last day, we went to the Chicago Aquarium, had a South African dinner and a nice dessert at a Nutella bar.
This was my first Halloween, and I like the way that everyone has a costume. It does not matter if it is simple or not, scary or funny. Even if you did not have a costume, you can still celebrate Halloween. It was a nice experience for me, and I will make sure that I will have a creative costume next year.
I can also say I finally saw snow for the first time! I like how the snow can change everything to white and make it peaceful and calm. But I don’t like the temperature dropping. It is already around 1 or 2 Celsius (33–36 Fahrenheit), which is something I need some time to adjust to!
Rami is a second-year Fulbrighter from Iraq working on his master’s in Information Assurance. He’s currently a student at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota.

A Year in the Fulbright Life: Jennifer’s Story

For the next year, Fulbright MENA will be showcasing a handful of students as they study in the United States with their new series, A Year in the Fulbright Life. Each month, spotlighted students will share an update as they continue on their Fulbright journey.
August 2017
Jennifer was lucky enough to see the lunar eclipse during her first week of orientation at Washington University in Saint Louis!
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“We modeled an eclipse box viewed from cardboard on August 21st with the help of Mr. Jonathan Stitelman (Visiting Professor).
Then we went to the University Park to observe the eclipse. It was a once in a life experience!”

September 2017

I had my first presentation at the Same Fox School of Design at Washington University in St. Louis! The project, “Positive Rupture,” was about mapping and analyzing metropolitan cities in the United States and their connectivity with a focus on the “hyperloop,” a new high speed transportation system that is currently under testing.
Jennifer presenting her first project of the school year
I also attended a fun, interactive, dynamic and intensive workshop called “Informal Cities,” which looked at an informal settlement in South Africa called “Kalatchi” which I hope to bring what I learned into my studies this year. It’s been a great start to my studies!
Jennifer is a first-year Fulbrighter from Lebanon working on her master’s in Urban Design. She’s currently a student at Washington University in Saint Louis.

A Year in the Fulbright Life: Issa’s Story

For the next year, Fulbright MENA will be showcasing a handful of students as they study in the United States with their new series, A Year in the Fulbright Life. Each month, spotlighted students will share an update as they continue on their Fulbright journey.
August 2017
“It has been a year since I quit my job, left my family and moved to the United States to start my Fulbright journey.”
“I always think about how this has been an eye-opening experience! I met amazing people from different parts of the world, made new friends, and got the chance to visit interesting places.”
Issa at DefCon
“I am currently serving as the president of RIT Fulbright Scholar Association where we have an active community of 25 Fulbright students from different countries. We are currently preparing for our semester events including a welcome ceremony and a couple of community service events. ”
Issa with his Fulbright Family

September 2017

This month I helped organize the Fulbright welcome picnic for students at Rochester Institute of Technology. We chose to go to Letchworth State Park which is known as the “Grand Canyon of the East.” Each student cooked a meal that represented their home cuisine. Our picnic table had Russian, Ukrainian, Palestinian, Ghanaian, Congolese, Egyptian, Mongolian, Afghan, and of course, American food.

October 2017

“I decided to learn a new skill in October, and I chose horseback riding. I signed up for an introductory course with a group of friends where we learned how to properly saddle horses and ride them. I enjoyed the new experience of riding horses in the countryside away from the city. ”
Issa is a second-year Fulbrighter from the West Bank working on his Master’s in Computer Security at Rochester Institute of Technology.
Follow updates from Issa and other Fulbright students on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Check back here every month for more updates on the blog and Medium Series to see what Issa does this year!

A Year in the Fulbright Life: Leila’s Story

For the next year, Fulbright MENA will be showcasing a handful of students as they study in the United States with their new series, A Year in the Fulbright Life. Each month, spotlighted students will share an update as they continue on their Fulbright journey.

August 2017

“What’s better than kicking off the new semester at an iconic ice-cream shop with my American best friend and a picnic with fellow Fulbrighters from Spain and Pakistan.”
“To make these moments even more special, I wore garnet and black, the official colors of my university.”
“I am looking forward to another great year at the University of South Carolina!”


Leila is a second-year Fulbrighter from Tunisia working on her Master’s in Mass Communications. She’s currently a student at University of South Carolina.

A Year in the Fulbright Life: Nabeel’s Story

August 2017

Nabeel, a huge soccer fan, recently attended the first soccer game of the season at his college, the University of Denver. The pioneers won the game, 3 to 1, against the Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles.

September 2017

“I volunteered by helping out in my school’s (Korbel School of International Studies) orientation and was selected to be on a Q&A panel for continuing students and incoming students. I was the only international student in the panel, and of course I introduced myself as a Fulbright scholar.
During the orientation, I met with an incoming Fulbright scholar from Indonesia named Rahmi. I was happy to share my experience and help the new Fulbright students feel at ease.”
I also held a potluck with many friends from the University of Denver. We had great food from different parts of the world and friends from the United States, Canada, Iran, and Thailand attended.
We talked about the names of the dishes everyone brought and how each cuisine has a different and unique taste. We also had the chance to play a number of fun card games, and we talked about our favorite songs in different languages. I had a great time bonding with my American and international friends that the Fulbright Program has introduced me to, especially learning about all their different cultures.”
Nabeel is a second year Fulbrighter working on his masters in International Security. He is currently a student at University of Denver.
Follow updates from Nabeel and other Fulbright students on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Check back here every month for more updates on the blog and Medium Series to see what Leila does this year!

A Year in the Fulbright Life: Saja’s Story

August 2017

“Here is a picture of me and other Fullbrighters from all around the world. We decided to start our semester with an event to welcome the first year new students, catch up with the old ones and support each other. The students in this picture are from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and NC state University.”

Saja is a second year Fulbrighter from Iraq working on her masters in MPH in Maternal and Child Health at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
Follow updates from Saja and other Fulbright students on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Check back here every month for more updates on the blog and Medium Series to see what Saja does this year!

A Year in the Fulbright Life: Rami A’s Story:

August 2017

My pre-academic course at Ohio University was one of the best experiences I had in the United States. I met nearly 40 people from 25 countries! During the three weeks, we became friends for life, and I discovered we have many things in common. There is always something to talk about and something to laugh at.
Fulbright students at Pre-Ac
I had the chance to try nearly everything. From new food to new sports, I learned a lot of new information about different things, including U.S. history and culture.
Fulbright students attending play at OU
I also had the chance to visit Cleveland and stay with an American host family for the weekend. I was lucky to be hosted by a wonderful family with two other Fulbrighters. I am still in touch with my host family and will try to see them again if I get another chance to visit Cleveland.
Rami with Host Family in Cleveland
Despite being in the United States for nearly a month, everything at my host university in St. Cloud was new to me. I had to start over and meet new people, make new friends, and get involved on campus and in the community. I managed to do all that in the first three weeks after arriving on campus!
Orientation at St. Cloud Group
I was invited by the local community to go on a biking trip, became involved with student organizations, and visited the state fair in Minneapolis. I already have new friends from the United States as well as from different countries.
Biking Trip with St. Cloud Community Members
I am still exploring the city, the campus, and looking for many other opportunities on the horizon. I am learning new things about myself and others every day. This has been a great start to my Fulbright experience!
Rami at the State Fair

September 2017

This month was an interesting month, classes got started, and the study style in the United States is new to me. The courses are more intensive and shorter as compared to my undergraduate studies in Iraq. I needed some time to catch up and get on track again, which meant a lot of hours in the library and sometimes little sleep, like most Fulbrighters. Now I am feeling more confident and doing well in my classes. Being busy with readings, homework and assignments does not prevent me from having some fun and a good time. I met really interesting international and American students, graduate and undergraduate, and we became a good group of friends. Our university had a student organization fair, where students could sign up for different activates to be more involved on campus. I signed up for the soccer team for weekly games. I also visited downtown Minneapolis several times this month with some friends, exploring the city more and more. During one of our visits, I had the chance to try Mexican food for the first time. My friends and I all like Mexican food, and we are planning to visit the place again.
I also watched my first football game, although I don’t know all the rules yet. It was an opportunity to interact with the local community and have nice conversations with them. My friends and I also started going to the cinema every week to watch a movie at the university (it is free for students). I had the chance as well to try the marshmallow with crackers and chocolate- s’mores., Thanks to the Fulbright Association in Minnesota, I had the chance to meet other Fulbrighters.. The Association took us on a cruise trip, and I had a really good time exploring Minneapolis, meeting other current Fulbrighters and alumni as well.
My September experience ended with a nice, fun hockey game. It was my first time watching and great way to break the routine and have a good time with friends.
October 2017
I took the opportunity of fall break to visit Chicago for four days with a group of my friends. We spent half of our time walking around the city trying to learn more about it. The first thing we tried was the deep dish pizza and Mexican food, visited the Bean, and took a night tour of the city. On the second day we took a walk along Lake Michigan, visited Navy Pier and relaxed for a while. We tried Chicago-style breakfast and the food was so good that we came back our last day! We also went to the Chicago Planetarium and had an Italian diner. On our last day, we went to the Chicago Aquarium, had a South African dinner and a nice dessert at a Nutella bar.
This was my first Halloween, and I like the way that everyone has a costume. It does not matter if it is simple or not, scary or funny. Even if you did not have a costume, you can still celebrate Halloween. It was a nice experience for me, and I will make sure that I will have a creative costume next year.
I can also say I finally saw snow for the first time! I like how the snow can change everything to white and make it peaceful and calm. But I don’t like the temperature dropping. It is already around 1 or 2 Celsius (33–36 Fahrenheit), which is something I need some time to adjust to!
Rami is a first-year Fulbrighter from Iraq working on his master’s in Information Assurance. He’s currently a student at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota.

A Year in the Fulbright Life: Aya’s Story

September 2017

On Labor Day weekend, I went with some friends from the Fulbright Program to Chicago. We went to see the Lincoln Park Zoo, and then in the evening went to see the fireworks at Navy Pier.
We also visited the Sky Deck at Willis Tower, which is the second-tallest building in the United States and the 16th tallest in the world. It’s such an amazing view from the top!
After that, we went to Buckingham Fountain, one of Chicago’s most popular landmarks. We also visited Millennium Park and the Cloud Gate, which is nicknamed “The Bean” because of its shape. That evening, we enjoyed ourselves by taking a Chicago River tour.
We went to the Adler Planetarium as well as the Shedd Aquarium and Field Museum on our last day. It was a fascinating trip and we enjoyed exploring this American city a lot.

October 2017

Last week, a Tunisian Fulbrighter and I went with the Wayne State International Students Group on a hiking trip to the Kensington Metropark. It was a nice change to get a break from my stressful studying life and to have fun and explore a new side of Michigan. I found out that you don’t have to travel far to enjoy the best of Michigan’s outdoors.
Kensington Metropark’s hilly terrain surrounds spectacular Kent Lake and is home to abundant wildlife. We hiked the Aspen (1.5 miles), Chickadee (2 miles), and Wildwing (1.75 miles) trails. It was an exhausting day but I had a lot of fun!
Aya is a second-year Fulbright student from Egypt who is working towards an MS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.

A Year in the Fulbright Life: Sana’s Story

August 2017

My study abroad journey started back in April 2016 with my Fulbright application, but fourteen months later I was finally able to join the Fulbright family. I cannot forget that I had to hide the happiness of getting an offer from the University of Wyoming because I got the email while my father was in the hospital, but my family was so happy about my success. There is nothing greater than a father thanking his daughter for making him proud, a mother from the Eastern Iraqi community telling her only daughter,”If this is what you want, let it be!” and three bothers encouraging their sister to make new friends and to make the most of the experience.
Sana and on her first night in the United States with other international students
The fact that I was chosen among thousands of applicants to study in the United States seems unreal and makes me so grateful for the opprotunity I’ve been given. I’ve spent the last few months at Portland State University in an Intensive English Language Program but am getting excited to start my master’s courses in Wyoming. More than the academic benefits, I began feeling like a Fulbighter and became more aware of the important position I am in. I have the chance to be among the most talented students in the world.
Sana with other Fulbrighters and their flags
So far nothing is contradicting any of my expectations regarding the United States. In contrast, I’ve already started understanding more about the lifestyle and look forward to exploring my new home for the next two years.
Sana and friends at Portland State University in an Intensive English Language Program
It might sound repetitive, but now I can see why everyone in the book Experiencing America: Through the Eyes of Visiting Fulbright Scholars always say, “I developed the feeling of being in a family.”I am saying it again: I feel that my family is here regardless of the color of their skin, religion, or country of citizenship.

November 2017

On November 18th, the International Students and Scholars office the University of Wyoming organized a dinner for international students to celebrate diversity under the theme of Latin American culture. Latin American food, dance, and music sparkled the night and reflected the warmth of the Latin American culture. This was another opportunity for growth and expansion of friendships, and I had the chance to experience something completely new.
As a lover of the outdoors, Thanksgiving was an opportunity to be surrounded by the quiet, graceful, and beauty of nature. The experience at the Raising Moon ranch in Laramie, Wyoming enriched my knowledge about the lives of locals and their interests outside the university. Plus, I made a new best friend!

Sana is a first-year Fulbrighter from Iraq working on her master’s in International Studies. She’s currently a student at the University of Wyoming.

Follow updates from Sana and other Fulbright students on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Check back here every month for more updates on the blog and Medium Series to see what Sana does this year!

A Year in the Fulbright Life: Omnia G.’s Story

September 2017

“Recently I volunteered at the Heart of Ghent 10k race in Norfolk, Virginia. Ghent is a very beautiful city and I always see people run here, but in this race, they ran for charity. One of the charities helps homeless children in Kenya. It was very fun, and I met a group of very nice Americans who I volunteered with. My favorite moment was when a runner would say thank you for the water that I gave out, even though she was exhausted from the race. It was such a nice day, and I loved being able to spend more time in my American community.”

October 2017

One of my American friends, Taylor, recently took me to get ice cream at Coldstone so I could try homemade American ice cream! I’ve gone past the store a million times but never noticed the ice cream shop. Taylor has been a really great friend since I arrived. She introduces me to American culture, clarifies what I miss due to differences, and is also deeply interested in different cultures. I’m lucky to have such a great friend who helps take care of me when I need it!

November 2017

This month our program went on a field trip to the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services in Richmond. It was a two-hour drive, but the laboratories were amazing and definitely worth it. At the lab, they run experiments on bioterrorism, chemical weapons, food adulteration, and newborn screening. I really enjoyed my time with my classmates at the lab learning all about the work they do there.
“I went to the Hampton Roads Reptile Expo with my friend Taylor, where spiders, snakes, worms, and frogs were all on display. I saw plenty of snakes with gorgeous colors. Because of this experience, I was able to overcome my fear of animals and reptiles and even held a lizard! It was amazing.

December 2017

This semester I asked for a rotation in Dr. Anca Dobrian’s lab to gain hands-on experience working on endothelial cells! I learned a lot and met such wonderful people in this lab. Dr. Dobrain is an excellent primary investigator and Bronson, her Ph.D. candidate, was an amazing instructor. By the end of the semester, Dr. Dobrian invited the lab students and techs to dinner at a Greek restaurant. Many of the meals had Middle Eastern and Egyptian elements, and it was the perfect end to a tedious semester.

August 2018

In August, one of my mentors defended his PhD thesis and started a new job as a high school teacher. I am happy for him, but I am already missing him! During his defense, many of his students, professors, and friends attended — such a large number is not common. The nice thing is that even now he keeps inspiring and teaching me, as a teacher he does his best to bring fun to class and to make students enjoy learning by drawing shirts of chemistry concepts and enabling them to carry out experiments by themselves. He really set a role model for me and I hope to be like him when I am back to my school in Egypt.
It has surprised me how in such a relatively short period, he became a dear friend. Although I am missing my family so much and feeling homesick sometimes, I realized that I also have a family in America that I am going to miss when I go home.

Omnia is from Egypt and is studying Biotechnology at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, VA. She is currently in her first year of her master’s program.

A Year in the Fulbright Life: Escander’s Story

September 2017

“Last Saturday, I played my first rugby match with Syracuse University against the University of Buffalo. We won! I will never forget my first game in the U.S. Go Hammerheads!”

January 2017

First ice hockey game at Syracuse!! Great night out with good friends. Go ‘Cuse!!

Escander is a first-year Fulbrighter from Tunisia working on his master’s in International Public Administration at Syracuse University.

A Year in the Fulbright Life: Ausama’s Story

September 2017

“K-Day is “Keweenaw Day” at my school, a tradition celebrated at Michigan Technological University where every student organization or club within the university is introduced at the beginning of the school year. I took part in introducing the Fencing Club since I am internationally licensed and a former Iraqi national team fencer. I will be coaching and hosting fencing sessions for beginners in the club this year! I can’t wait to meet new students and teach both American and international students fencing!”

Ausama is a second-year Fulbrighter from Iraq. He is studying at Michigan Technological University, where he’s working towards an MS in Applied Ecology.

A Year in the Fulbright Life: Omnia M.’s Story

October 2017

During fall break this month, a few friends and I had the opportunity to visit one of the Hawaiian Islands, Oahu. It was a great chance to wander around the city of Honolulu and explore its beautiful beaches. At Hanauma Bay the sea was incredibly clear, which was ideal for snorkeling around many fish species and the coral reefs. The diversity of people living in Honolulu makes it even more special. It was an amazing trip!
Omnia and her friends at the beach Omnia and friends at the Valley of the Te mples Memorial ParkOmnia and friends at the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park
Snorkling!

March 2018

This month, we celebrated the Holi festival for the first time at New Mexico State University. It is an Indian festival for the arrival of spring and end of winter. It was a great day filled with great dancing and singing shows and lots of color.



Omnia is a second-year student at New Mexico State University where she studies Industrial Engineering. She is from Egypt.

A Year in the Fulbright Life: Khadidja’s Story

November 2017

Fulbright Scholars at the University of Arkansas (FSUA) organized aFriendsgiving (a dinner where friends gather together to share Thanksgiving food) dinner that included a panel discussion and cultural performances from a variety of students. The audience was diverse- it included international students, American students, faculty members, International Students Office staff, and guests. The panel included previous Fulbrighters who discussed how their Fulbright experience changed their lives. They also shared some of their contributions to society after the experience ended. I was thrilled to help organize this event.
I also participated in the Sound of Africa event here at my university.
 The Sound of Africa is an annual event hosted by the African students and their allies at the University of Arkansas for a diverse audience that included Americans, international students, and their families. The event included cultural performances from several countries in Africa. It included singing, dancing, acting, poetry, music, food, and a fashion show. I loved being part of this event and getting to share my Algerian culture with my fellow students.

February 2018

In February, I submitted an abstract for the annual Graduate Students Conference at the University of Arkansas and my paper was accepted. On March 3rd I presented my research that tackled authority, bureaucracy and totalitarianism in post Arab Spring science fiction literature. The audience was engaged with the presentation and the discussion questions revealed an interest in knowing more about the political and the social climate of the Middle East.

 This is my first conference presentation in the United States and I am really proud of this moment.

March 2018

On March 8th, I had the chance to celebrate International Women’s Day at the University of Arkansas. Here are some photos from an event with women from around the world.

Khadidja is a first-year Fulbrighter from Algeria working on her master’s in Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies. She’s currently a student at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

A Year in the Fulbright Life: Marwa’s Story

July 2018

My first Fulbright destination was the Golden State, California, where I had the chance to meet around 40 Fulbright students from all over the world at my Pre-Academic Program at San Diego State University.
We had the chance to volunteer in a community garden which was exciting since it was my first time to join such an activity!
Hollywood has always been on my list. Finally, I visited my favorite star, Muhammed Ali, and I went for a tour with my program of Beverly Hills, saw the Hollywood sign, and visited the Griffith Observatory where I could see all of LA from above.
My time in California was amazing! I will miss all my friends and the beautiful campus. Next, I’m flying to Omaha, Nebraska where I am enthusiastic to meet new friends and start my program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

March 2019
My first visit to the southern part of the U.S. was when I was invited to attend the “Leveraging Diversity, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation for Economic Growth” Fulbright enrichment seminar in Atlanta, Georgia. It was a great opportunity to communicate with Fulbright Scholars from various fields and backgrounds from over 20 countries worldwide. This experience exceeded my expectations. I presented at different sessions about how to transfer our research into a real tool to contribute to our community’s economic growth, from vision to action.
The seminar paved the way for me to meet with successful leaders and entrepreneurs. Together with other Fulbright fellows, we visited Georgia Tech. We toured the invention studio where I saw real examples of young researchers, whose ideas the institute is helping to transfer into start-ups. One idea is now an Amazon product.
Also, I had the chance to meet a family in Atlanta and learn more about southern culture. We had a pleasant time sharing stories about culture, food, and traveling. I was happy when I learned that our hosts had visited my country and saw the Pyramids of Giza. Small world!
Finally, we were invited to a closing party and farewell dinner. While ending the conference was sad, these four days will forever be bright memories. Truly, diversity and communication are key factors for creating innovative minds and future leaders. Thank you Fulbright, for such a unique experience!
Marwa is a first year Fulbrighter from Egypt. She is working towards her Master’s in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Nebraska, Medical Center.

A Year in the Fulbright Life: Ghewa’s Story

August 2018

The first month of my Fulbright experience passed very quickly. I visited three different states (Nebraska, Missouri and Arkansas) and I met people from more than 17 countries during my pre-academic program. Also, I had the opportunity to spend time with American host families and faculty members. I will never forget all the great moments we had together.
Follow updates from Ghewa and other Fulbright students on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Check back here every month for more updates on the blog and Medium Series to see what Ghewa does this year!

A Year in the Fulbright Life: Cosette’s Story

August 2017

I gave a 2-day workshop, “Disrupt Your Business,” for entrepreneurs who want to create innovative solutions for their startup idea or create disruptive products and services for their businesses. The workshop was held at HAYANA, a multidisciplinary collaborative design platform for artists and designers. I was made partner at HAYANA to help with future innovation strategies for the space.
I also volunteered at an organization in Byblos city, Neopreneur, which is an incubation space for entrepreneurs. I taught six volunteers about Human-Centered Design and we worked together for eight weeks on solving the question: “How might we strengthen the cultural community in Byblos?” We held a final event where we organized a roundtable discussion between different stakeholders who are experts and responsible for cultural activities in the city.
I also volunteered and gave a two-hour workshop for Byblos Scout, a Girl Scouts troop. They learned techniques to find creative solutions for their fundraising strategies and yearly camp activities.

September 2017

One thing I appreciate, and that is very different between cultures, is coffee. I invited my friends over to come and try our Lebanese coffee. I showed them how it is made, told them about its history and its cultural significance. I really enjoyed sharing a part of my culture, and my friends enjoyed it as well. I also took the coffee raqwa to my university and brewed coffee for my professors and colleagues.

October 2017

At the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), I get to meet and engage with students from different cultures around the world. Many students at SCAD come from different parts of India, so I learned a lot about their amazing and rich culture. This year, I got to celebrate Diwali with them.

Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights that is celebrated in autumn. It is a festival that highlights the beauty of the Indian culture. It includes a lot of Indian food, Indian music and dancing, and Indian outfits.
During October, I did not attend one Diwali party, but four! It was amazing to experience the culture in terms of its food, fashion, music, and dancing.

November 2017

On Thanksgiving Day, a group of friends and I decided to get together and share food from our countries. There were six of us, from the United States, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Czech Republic, India, and Lebanon. We called our gathering ‘International Friendsgiving.’ We all shared what we are thankful for. I shared my appreciation of being a Fulbrighter and having enriching experiences in the United States. Thank you Fulbright.

November/ December 2017

My mother decided to visit me and got the chance to tour the United States. We went to San Francisco and visited several tourist and cultural attractions like the Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman’s Wharf. I was really happy to share part of my experience with my family, and my mom was happy to visit California. Also, I met two Lebanese Fulbrighters, and we went ice-skating together.

December 2017

SCAD hosts a variety of students from different countries and cultures around the world. While participating in cultural events, birthday parties and other international events, I have tried different dishes from different countries around the world.
When I visited Lebanon in December, I decided to invite my Lebanese friends to a cooking party and an international dinner. I asked my international friends for their favorite recipes from their countries.
Eliska, from Prague, Czech Republic sent me a recipe of Bramboráky; Lisa from Louisiana, sent me a recipe of their most famous dish, Chicken and Sausage Gumbo; Maarsel from the Dominican Republic sent me the recipe of Cielito Lindo; Sunanda from India taught me how to do Chai; Payal from Mumbai, India sent me the recipe of Dum Biryani, a rice dish; Denisse from Mexico City, Mexico taught me how to do the dessert, Arroz Con Leche; Charithra from India taught me how to do Gulab Jamoon; Gaby from Ecuador sent me the recipe of Empanadas De Venito; and Luisa from Columbia gave me the recipe of Arroz Con Pollo.
My friends loved the idea of learning about other cultures through its food and they wanted to learn how to cook the food themselves. I believe that food holds a great cultural significance and one of the greatest ways to learn about a culture is through trying their food.
Cosette is a second-year Fulbrighter from Lebanon. She is currently at Savannah College of Art and Design where she is working towards an MFA in Design Management.

A Year in the Fulbright Life: Yossef’s Story

July 2018

I arrived at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in DC and already started my classes. This was my first day of school, full of energy and enthusiasm. Since then I’ve been trying to make it through studying, exploring a list of new places, and making new friends. Then comes the surprise that turned everything upside down…MIDTERMS coming in exactly 15 days! Time to study.

August 2018

After two weeks of sleepless nights, we finally got a well-deserved happy hour after the final midterm exam. I remember sleeping for 14 hours straight that night and the only thing that woke me up was having an assignment due in just three days!

August 2018 (Part 2)

After 6 weeks of intense lectures, assignments, and exams, the summer term has finally come to an end! With only a weekend between the end of the summer term and the beginning of the fall term, I decided to go to New York City!
I enjoyed a wonderful sunny day biking in Central Park, and spent a whole night in Times Square. The next day I had the chance to visit Wall Street and see the historic buildings of the New York Stock Exchange, the New York Fed, as well as other famous financial institutions. I also walked over the Brooklyn Bridge and visited the Statue of Liberty. Despite being just a two-day trip, I really enjoyed each and every moment of it.

September 2018

I spent a wonderful day visiting Washington DC’s different monumental places. I’ve now been to the Lincoln memorial, Jefferson memorial, the US Capitol, Supreme Court and the Washington Monument. It was really interesting to see such historic buildings where the U.S. political system is governed.
In the evening, I celebrated Mexican Independence Day with my fellow students. We all enjoyed a mix of tasty Mexican and Egyptian food and listened to different types of joyful music.

February 2019
I participated in the Fulbright enrichment seminar in Nashville, Tennessee. I had the privilege to meet with more than 120 Fulbrighters from more than 50 countries. Throughout the three days, we had a lot of discussions about the similarities and differences between our cultures. We even found a lot of similarities between our languages. I really felt that we are all similar human beings regardless of where we were born. Also, I realized the importance of respecting diversity while preserving our own identity.
I also explored the evolution of the music industry in the United States and the history of country music. I attended a country gospel concert, something that I have never heard of before, and I really enjoyed it. I also enjoyed Nashville night life and had a lot of sight-seeing trips.

I participated in a community service activity with “Rise Against Hunger,” where I joined my Fulbright colleagues and packed more than 2,000 meals that will be shipped to children suffering from hunger in different areas of the world. Throughout the day, I learned about the impact of community service, and realized that we all share a responsibility towards every human being in need, that together, we can create a true impact. At the end of the day, I decided to include community service as an essential part of my activities upon returning to my home country.

Upon a recommendation from my academic advisor, I participated in the 19th Jacques Polak Annual Research Conference at the IMF headquarters. The conference theme was international spillovers and cooperation. During the two days of the conference, I was exposed to numerous research papers presenting empirical evidence on several trade and international economics theories I studied during my program. I also had a lot of fruitful discussions with other participants in the conference, where we exchanged opinions and beliefs about research ideas and reform policies.

I participated in the 2019 Social Enterprise Conference at the Harvard Business School in Boston, Massachusetts. Through different discussions with panelists and experts, I gained a clearer understanding of impact investing and the possible alliance between achieving investment returns while keeping the social and environmental impact in mind. I even decided to do my graduation capstone project on how to create common ground between impact investing and Wall Street. Last but not least, I had several sight-seeing trips in Boston.

Youssef is studying at Johns Hopkins University- School of Advanced International Studies. He is working on his Master’s in International Economics and Finance and is from Egypt.

A Year in the Fulbright Life: Mostafa’s Story

July 2018

I had a farewell party from my work colleagues yesterday in addition to a special goodbye meeting from the CEO of my companywho said, “One of the brightest minds in Egypt is traveling to Massachusetts to chase his dream in Soft Robotics Research. Best of luck!”

August 2018

I was struggling to find a way to move some furniture to my apartment, but I was stuck and did not know what I should do. After a lot of research, I have done it in the American way! As I have an international driving license, I rented a U-Haul van to move the pieces of furniture! I have done it successfully. For safety reasons, I spent a lot of time making sure that I am familiar with the driving rules in the United States and once I was ready, I rented the vehicle and moved this nice dining table and some other stuff that I liked.
I also had the chance to get to know my first American friend and his wife who are awesome! I invited them for an Egyptian breakfast at my apartment and then we visited the Worcester Museum of Art. We spent a lot of time sharing our cultural traditions. At this point, I have realized the real meaning of a “cultural exchange program,” and how it indeed helps people from different cultures come together!

February 2019

My family has just arrived to join me here in the U.S.! Having my family here was the best Valentine’s Day gift that I could ever get! I am blessed to have them here so that we can enjoy the Fulbright experience and share the happy and tough moments together.

Mostafa is a first-year Fulbrighter from Egypt and is currently working towards his masters in Robotics Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

A Year in the Fulbright Life: Reyam’s Story

August 2018

Desperate because I was the last one among my Iraqi colleagues who hadn’t been issued a visa, I panicked when my phone rang from the coordinator from AMIDEAST! In a minute, all that fear vanished, for my flight was in less than 24 hours! Though I did not spend enough time with family and friends to say goodbye, still I had the feeling that my life was about to change forever.
My first days in Syracuse, New York were great. My colleagues in the pre-academic course were so friendly and helpful. The facilitators were of great support as well. I was lucky to make friends who comforted me after a wave of homesickness and crying, which quickly passed.
captured by one of the students in Syracuse where I was sitting with my friend who came to comfort me after a wave of homesickness and crying.
I loved my time at Syracuse University because I learned about the main guidelines for understanding life and education system in the United States. Writing a short research paper and making a poster were things that helped shed light on the academic requirements in this country.
I also spent some time in New York City, and all I can say is that it was breathtaking. Then came the day of my flight to California, where I will be studying for my Master Degree in English Literature in San Diego State University. I love my campus! The orientations were of great help to set students on the right track. I already feel this is my second home. I am welcomed, loved and having so much fun here. My first day of the semester was so promising.

Reyam is a first-year Fulbrighter from Iraq. She is working towards her Master’s in English at San Diego State University.

A Year in the Fulbright Life: Rawan’s Story

July 2018

During AMIDEAST’s pre-departure gathering with other Fulbright alumni and my last family dinner before leaving for the States!

August 2018

My pre-academic program at Syracuse has been a great experience that included English language courses, field trips, and many other activities to engage us in the American community and get to know more about the new culture. That being said, it was a good transition program that got us prepared for our next new chapter.
First time Kayaking- Very peaceful!
In 1000 Island and Alexandria Bay- I was especially impressed with seeing a ship from Canada during a boat tour.
In front of Niagara Falls- It was incredible trip!
Trying Brazilian tea-Mato (himarrão) for the first time with my fellow Fulbrighters!
During dinner with my American host family:
During pre-academic graduation reception:
The university interviewed and two other Fulbrighters to speak on our experience, you can read it here.
I just started my classes here in New Orleans, and I am looking forward to explore the city and of course familiarize myself with the courses of my MBA program.

October 2018
I went to a Lebanese café with friends. In the picture below, Nicole, on the left, is my American friend who had introduced me to an Arab girl from Lebanon, her name is Razan and she is in the middle. At the café, we had falafel, baba ghanosh, and chicken kabab.
My friend Amanda and I rode the street car going to downtown to see the Halloween parade. In New Orleans, Halloween is not only a day, it’s a whole month of celebrations. I didn’t really dress up for the parade and I was surprised to see everyone dressed up in the street car! I enjoyed watching the riders getting into the streetcar with catchy, cool costumes.
After the Halloween parade, I decided to go shopping for a costume. I was in one of the stores trying on some face masks and while I was taking selfie with this mask, a random guy jumped behind me in the picture.
A special day to me was volunteering with senior citizens, an event I had heard about from my friend. I was so excited to volunteer with them as well. The event was in Audubon Park, walking distance from my place. I was surprised how mentally strong they are, and when they learned I am from the Palestinian Territories, they started a conversation with me about the region, religion, and Middle Eastern politics. I was really impressed!
I took this picture (above) during the day with seniors in the park, their youthful spirit motivated me. I saw a senior trying the swing, he struggled at the beginning, but then he enjoyed it.
I also volunteered with a local community in New Orleans by facilitating activities and games for kids. I was the only international student, and the community was so welcoming — people were coming up to me and socializing. They were interested to know more about me and to hear about the Palestinian Territories. Not to mention, it was also so fun seeing the cute kids with different costumes, and I was happy that this little kid just jumped next to me when I was taking this picture. One kid was so excited when that he hit all the cups and won the game.

December 2018

After almost one day of traveling from New Orleans all the way home, I was so excited to meet my family and have my mom in my arms!
I also had the chance to see my grandma. I was glad to see her in a good health as she had been struggling with illness. I had been worried about her! She was eager to hear about my experiences at school.
I also spent time with my fiancé! We were enjoying the Christmas spirit and vibes.
I also spent time with my big family and I feel very blessed to have them in my life. Nothing can replace a kind and caring family.

Rawan is a first-year Fulbrighter from the Palestinian Territories. She is working on her MBA at Loyola University in New Orleans.
Follow updates from Rawan and other Fulbright students on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Check back here every month for more updates on the blog and Medium Series to see what Rawan does this year!


Hanna- November 2018

Then the international office at UNC Charlotte held an event for International Education Week. I participated with other international students. It was great to represent my country! 






1 comment:


  1. آپ کا شکریہ جناب قیمتی پوسٹ کے لئے۔ یہ میری بہت مدد کرتا ہے۔ مجھے امید ہے کہ آپ ہمیں کچھ اور تحفہ دیں گے۔ ہم آپ کے نئے عنوانات کا انتظار کر رہے ہیں
    العربية كس كبير تبا

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