My Thanksgiving Experience

 This Thanksgiving was one of the most wonderful holidays I spent in the U.S. this year. I was invited to one of my American friend’s home. It was a cold December day and the snow started to fall and cover the ground. Her house was located in one of Newark’s very nice and quiet suburbs. I was so impressed by how beautifully her house was decorated. It was really inspiring place! She cooked a great Thanksgiving meal for her family and friends. She used her fine plates and sliver wear on the table as well. After the dinner meal, we talked, shared our stories and took many photos...

            
 

 

Walah Ahmed is an Iraqi Fulbrighter pursuing a Master of Arts in Linguistics & Cognitive Science at University of Delaware.

A Memorable Thanksgiving in Texas!

 Prior to coming to the U.S. for my studies, I have always wondered what makes the Thanksgiving holiday so special among U.S. citizens.

With much anticipation, I got an invitation to attend a Thanksgiving dinner hosted by one of our professors. She had a lovely house in Austin, Texas, and she invited all of the international students of our program. To make the occasion unique, the dinner was arranged as a potluck dinner, meaning that everybody was encouraged to bring and share their own home-cooked food. The professor took care of preparing the traditional turkey and the rest of arrangements. Needless to say, most people showed up with excellent dishes coming from all over the world, since this was an international event.

Prior to the dinner, we played soccer and a few games in the nice courtyard in front of the house. After the dinner, each one of us wrote on a small piece of paper about what we are thankful for. The professor collected all these papers and hanged them on a tree-shaped wallpaper. It was such a memorable moment to see what everybody was truly thankful for.

Overall, it was such a lovely experience and I am glad I had the chance to be part of it. What makes this holiday special is its common purpose of being thankful. I also heard that people can celebrate Thanksgiving in many different ways which makes this holiday truly unique. I am glad I got to experience it with my fellow international students and I hope to get the chance to experience it again sometime in the future.

Ahmed Almulla is a Bahraini Fulbrighter pursuing an MBA at Texas A&M University.

Thanksgiving with Friends

It was my first Thanksgiving in the States and I was invited by my friends Mr. Cox and Mrs. Kay (who appear in the picture below) to a wonderful evening that included great food, friends and other family members.

What touched me the most was that Mr. Cox is battling cancer and I'm stunned with his strength and great spirit along with his amazing wife who acts strongly to help him defeat this disease. Mr. Cox and Mrs. Kay visited Palestine many times and provided financial aid to Saint John Eye hospital in Jerusalem.

I was introduced to this beautiful couple through my professor Mike Fotos who also invited me over for the Thanksgiving holiday, and I also spent two wonderful hours in the afternoon with his great family before having dinner with Mr. Cox and Mrs. Kay.

I'm thankful for these two great families that I have around me who try to help me overcome any challenges, and I am so happy to share my story with the Fulbright community.

Ghadir Awwad is a Palestinian Fulbrighter from the West Bank pursuing an M.A. in Public Policy at Trinity College.

International Education Week at New York Medical College

In celebration for the international education week, The NYMC (New York Medical College) chapter of Student National Medical Association (SNMA) board arranged an international food festival. Students from different nationalities cooked different types of delicious dishes to celebrate our diverse backgrounds through food! We also fundraised for charity as a contribution from the other students who bought the food. I made a call back home asking for the “Dolma” (stuffed grape leaves) recipe from the best chef in my life-- my mom. It worked, and because I like lentil soup, I added it to the menu and took some photos to share with you. 

Ammar Al-Attar is an Iraqi Fulbrighter pursuing an MS in Physiology at New York Medical College.

Internship at Growing Power

 The summer of 2014 was an extraordinary time in my life; not just because I am being here in the US, but for the wealth of experience and depth of knowledge when I was working at Growing Power surrounded by different people working in such an unique working environment. In fact my experience in the US is so far empowering, someone could say it is a life-changing experience when you are left alone to learn, to fail, and to succeed through challenges and difficulties.

Interning at an organization called Growing Power was one of my big successes in the US; I am proud and happy for the things I accomplished while I was working at this respected organization. I would like to share part of my experience with this organization and its work and the reasons for choosing this place for my internship.

Growing Power headquarters is located in northern Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is a community food center where its mission is to provide access to healthy food in the city of Milwaukee, especially in low-income communities and food deserts across the city. Its founder and CEO Will Allen is a former basketball player who holds a fellowship from the MacArthur Fellows Program for his innovative work in his field. His contributions are reflected in the integrated farming technique through planting crops in hoop houses to extend farming season during Wisconsin’s brutal winter and animal husbandry such as goats and chickens inside the city. The farm reflects sustainability in agriculture and the pioneering methods of producing food products through Allen’s visions and ideas. The organization attracts people from different places in the US because it provides training opportunities on low-cost projects, such as aquaponics and compost.

The internship was part of my Master’s program project as I intended to study the organization with an emphasis on a political dimension. My work in the organization will serve as a case study to analyze the non-governmental organization’s influence to empower communities. However, what I get from this work was much more as I met great people who welcomed me into their lives and provided me with what I needed to achieve my goals and finish my study. I should acknowledge Will Allen and his Director Karen Parker’s help and support as they accepted me directly -upon my request for the internship- and gave me lots of opportunities to experience new things other than my daily chores at the farm. I am more than fortunate to get to know them and share experiences and talk to them about my country.

During these three months I learned about farming, compost, and aquaponics. It also provided me with an in-depth understanding of the real meaning of hard work represented in agriculture. Hard work is needed to build communities and educate people in low income neighborhoods to plant their own food and become self-dependent. The skills needed to build such communities do not come easily; anyone should know that sacrifice and dedication are essential to accomplish any endeavor.

I was lucky to participate in many activities during this internship. I participated with other interns in planting gardens for the daycare center in Kohl’s Associate Center in Milwaukee. We transplanted different kinds of vegetables in raised beds such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and kale. This was my first experience as a farmer working outside the classroom and getting in touch with soil and plants. I worked after that on larger scale planting in a field called Jackson field with Will Allen. He supervised our work and taught us how to transplant seedlings from trays to the field. 

Planting at Jackson Field

My days were filled with lots of events that kept me in touch with people, plants, animals, and soil. My experience was not limited to the science behind farming, compost, and aquaponics. It gave me peace and satisfaction in my mind and soul and a new vision to the way that we should create change in our lives. As a Fulbright scholar and as a person I find that my study and my work in the US are complementary to the message that I want to deliver. The message is to never lose hope, and this hope will continue if we believe that hard work and dedication are the cornerstone to create a change that nurtures our soul and mind. This change should start from inside because if we cannot change our mentality, we cannot accomplish what we need to do. It is not about farming and aquaponics that you can read about in books, it’s about what you can add through your experience to create change.

I worked with volunteers, interns, and workers to plant fruit trees that will be planted in empty plots in Milwaukee. I worked also in multiple projects with volunteers and community members who came to the farm to learn and be part of their community. It was hard but rewarding work that gave a sense of accomplishment and success. During my internship, I was fortunate to visit many sites belonging to Growing Power such as the Forest Home Cemetery, the Mayor Office Garden, Discovery World, and Farmers Market. I worked in each place and participated with other staff members in watering, weeding, harvesting, and taking care of plants. 

At one of the farmers markets

Farmers market at Fox Point-Wisconsin was great opportunity to meet people from different countries, expand my knowledge, and collect data for my research. People that shop from the Growing Power stand ask me about my work with Growing Power and about my education, and they wished me good luck in achieving what I learned in the US in my country. I also attended a workshop at the organization were many people from different states and multiple disciplines came to increase their knowledge in urban farming. Some of them want to start their urban farm, some came to learn about aquaponics, and others were nutrition experts to teach America about a healthy diet.

During a TV show on the Oprah Winfrey channel about Will Allen and his farm, I worked with Will and other interns on feeding the animals and seeding pots and covering the seeds with compost. So, it is awesome! I will be on the Oprah Winfrey show during the coming season when they air the episode.

Furthermore, I went to the Jewish Community Center (JCC rainbow summer camp) with youths in a governmental program sponsored by Growing Power. Youth can enjoy their time playing, swimming, and singing. They also work on the JCC garden where they made raised beds, watered plants, and did weeding and harvesting. The aim of this program is to teach youth that hard work is needed along with having fun and playing. Growing Power focuses on youth education to provide them with skills to be better citizens in their communities. 

At the JCC Summer Camp

One of the wonderful events was when I gave a tour to 13 Iraqi students on the “World Learning Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program” who came to Growing Power to learn about sustainability in agriculture. This was the first time that Iraqi people visited the farm in Milwaukee and I was the first Iraqi intern. The director provided the students with free access to the farm and asked me to give them the tour. The experience was magnificent as I explained to them about micro-greens, the aquaponics system, composting, vermicomposting, and raising animals inside the city. After the tour I got to talk to the students as they were asking about the reasons that brought me to the US and to this farm and I was happy to answer their questions.

I talked to them about the environment because I believe in its vital role in creating resilient communities where people can live in harmony with nature. The environment does not exist to just serve our needs; nevertheless, it is part of our community and our lives. My country needs qualified practitioners from different disciplines, but it needs more environmentalists that understand nature and help in creating better projects that serve both humanity and nature.

The things that I want to take from my experience from both school and my internship is to have a practical experience that enabled me to serve my country and my people. Building urban farms in neighborhoods facing war and conflicts will spread the peaceful education. When people work in the farm near to their places and harvest the fruit of their labor they will understand how to love their land and how to be united in their ideas. For me, people should be different and I respect the differences but we need just to understand that in our differences is our strength and unity. What I touched from my experience might seem more of a dream but for me is a reality. With a Master’s degree on the way and with the skills I acquired during the last summer, my agenda is loaded with so many ideas and projects that intend to serve the people and land. 

Saja Al-Quzweeni is an Iraqi Fulbrighter pursuing an MS in Environmental Science and Policy at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

My Fulbright Experience

My Experience at The Rice School of Architecture was extremely fruitful despite of its shortness. I became more capable of presenting my ideas in a strong, consistent way. Furthermore, there was an incredible balance between the focus on technical aspects along with theoretical reinforcement and creative thinking. During the first two semesters I designed two projects, one was a high-detailed mixed-use tower as part of the "Totalization" studio, which is a unique part of my program that allows students to engage in the complexities underlying every architectural project from building systems to architectural financing. I coordinated this project with renowned consultants in the architectural and engineering field, while the other project I completed was more experimental and imaginary.

I was privileged to have my summer internship at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) in San Francisco. SOM is one of the largest and most influential architecture, interior design, engineering, and urban planning firms in the world. Founded in 1936, they have completed more than 10,000 projects across 50-plus countries. SOM is renowned for its iconic buildings and its steadfast commitment to design excellence, innovation, and sustainability. During this internship, I had the valuable experience of going to on-site visits to projects designed by SOM that were under construction. The firm also gave a series of lectures regarding their working strategy, technical skills, software, and sustainability issues.

Upon my return to my home country Jordan, I am planning to use all of the skills and experience that I gained at Rice specifically, and exposure in the United States in general, to develop the local architectural discipline.

Rasem Kamal is a Jordanian Fulbrighter pursuing a Master of Architecture at Rice University.

Fulbright: Academic Performance and Personal Growth

My interest in politics and government institutions started at a young age. In Arab countries, political events are a hot topic in most family discussions. In Yemen, challenging - sometimes catastrophic - daily political conflicts are the norm. When I graduated from college, I was one of the fortunate Yemenis who joined a relatively less tumultuous government. This short, yet rewarding, professional experience has deepened my aspirations to work through government institutions and civil society organizations to implement sustainable, although mostly modest, development projects.

As I was acquiring some critical on-the-job skills in the government, I realized that I would like to invest more in my education and challenge myself with an overseas graduate experience. I firmly believe that new, out-of-the-box life experiences and risks have a tendency of promoting career objectives the most, even if the tangible benefits are not always immediate. I have a deep interest in advancing Yemen’s growing economic and social difficulties and will be better armed to do so if I surround myself in a new context, with access to more learning opportunities: an objective that was possible through the Fulbright Program.

Attending Georgetown’s McCourt Public Policy School has been rewarding. The complex set of ideas discussed in class with individuals from different personal and professional backgrounds has been enriching. I recall a course taught by my post-conflict reconstruction professor where I had the opportunity to discuss Middle Eastern politics and reconstruction efforts led by the government of Yemen in association with its development partners, namely regional Gulf countries, along with U.S. and EU development agencies. It was fascinating because it allowed me to discuss challenges the region faces, and limitations to externally led initiatives.

Since my arrival, my Fulbright friends have also become my family. The program brings us together through our shared values and commitment to immersing ourselves in different education systems. Attending graduate school in the United States is a privilege as the American classroom experience is interdisciplinary, with a focus on group work, research skills, and creativity.

My stay in Washington, D.C. has also been eye-opening. Even a visit to the National Mall is noteworthy in this wonderful city. There is one particular experience that I would like to highlight. During the summer I joined the International Finance Corporation (the World Bank Group) as a resident researcher to undertake a market scoping of water pumping in Yemen. Over 70% of the Yemeni population lives in rural areas, and more than half of these residents depend on agriculture as their main source of income. As many other Arab countries, the political situation has impacted the livelihoods of citizens, particularly the livelihoods of the poorest citizens. Working on a Yemen-related program was personally rewarding, and I was glad to be able to utilize my newly acquired quantitative and research skills fulfill the requirements of the assignment. I feel particularly grateful to have had the opportunity to work with such a highly qualified team within the IFC – three of whom are Fulbright alumni - and learn new analytical skills I will carry with me in onward assignments.

Montaha Hassan is Yemeni Fulbright student pursuing a Master’s Degree in Public Policy at Georgetown University.

International Food Festival at the University of Southern Mississippi

The International Student and Scholar Services at the University of Southern Mississippi organizes International Food Festivals annually every spring semester. Keeping the Fulbright mission in mind I have represented the Sultanate of Oman at this festival by designing a poster that provides a brief introduction to Oman with major highlights about the country. Since this was a food festival, some Omani homemade sweets were also served to the guests and visitors. 

A total of twenty countries from around the world have participated at this on-campus event and over 300 visitors from the university and the community surrounding it have joined to taste different varieties of food and learn about new nations from their country representatives. This event also had media coverage from channels such as WDAM and WLOX. 

The main objective of this event, according to Barbara Jackson, an administrator at the International Student and Scholar Services, is for the international students and scholars to showcase their homelands by preparing native food samples for the local community.

Najeem Al Balushi is an Omani Fulbrighter pursuing an MPH at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Fulbright Ice Cream Social in Washington, DC

The Institute of International Education (IIE) thought of the wonderful idea to kick off the academic year with delicious ice cream for new and returning Fulbrighters in the Washington, DC area. Luckily some AMIDEAST staff were able to sneak away from their desks (with supervisory approval, of course!) to spend some quality time with some of our students. It was great to change up the work routine and enjoy some dessert with some of our students in the area!

Pictured from left to right: 

Dominique DeAngelo, Fulbright Program Assistant at AMIDEAST

Rasha Musleh (West Bank): Georgetown University, MPS/Public Relations and Corporate Communications

Mohamed Hmouma (Libya): Howard University, MA/Political Science

Matthew Guckenberg, Fulbright Program Assistant at AMIDEAST

Sharon Meged, Fulbright Program Assistant at AMIDEAST

Samya Abudheer, Fulbright Finance Assistant at AMIDEAST

Asia Lachir (Morocco): performing graduate research at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center


Spending time with our Fulbrighters is truly a highlight of the work that we do. Thanks to IIE for hosting us!

My Fulbright Experience

“What lies behinds us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” This quotation echoed in my mind in May 2014 when I finished my Master of Engineering Management from Duke University as a Fulbright scholar and headed to start my one-year academic training at a pharmaceutical company in New Jersey. I knew that the memories, experiences, and influences of this year would be different from the mysterious future. However, I thought that as long as I had my “lighthouse principles,” a concept that was discussed in a management class based on a reading by Stephen Covey, I would be fine.

The story started years ago when I dreamed as a child of receiving a scholarship and studying abroad. I did not know about Fulbright then. All I knew was that my father received a scholarship and studied in the U.S. back in the sixties, and that was my role model story. I promised myself that I would do the same. Now, as I look back, I think it is the “sincere will” of a young child mixed with hard work that made this dream come true.

It was a cold and rainy day when I attended a career fair held back in Jordan for students interested in studying in the U.S.. I asked at an AMIDEAST booth about the steps needed to start my applications for applying to U.S. universities. The staff advised me to attend a session held every week to answer questions of students like me. I attended that session, and at the end of it, I heard for the first time about the Fulbright scholarship. While it looked so far away from me then, I realized that life offered me information at the right time. It took me two and a half years after that session to prepare, apply, and receive the scholarship and to finally join Duke University in August 2013.

One of the most exciting parts of my Fulbright experience was the seminars that I participated in throughout my studies with other Fulbright students, sometimes from sixty countries around the world. The first of these seminars was my Fulbright Gateway Orientation at Dickinson College in Pennsylvania. During that seminar, I became more aware of the privilege of being a Fulbrighter: you become part of a network of hundreds of thousands of students, each one having their own story and their own dream. You are not alone and a lot is expected from you. I also learned about the academic culture, American history, and, most importantly, I learned about myself through some character tests. The second seminar was during my winter break, an enrichment seminar in New Orleans, Louisiana. The theme of the seminar was climate change. We heard live jazz, ate delicious desserts, and discovered the rich culture of New Orleans. At the end of my experience, I went to Washington D.C. for the departure seminar to wrap-up my experience. The last seminar was dedicated to helping us continue our journeys successfully when we reach our countries.

In two of these seminars, I asked myself what the Fulbright team would schedule for this fine mix of students. The answer was not only lectures, but also community service and interacting with the community. In my gateway seminar in Pennsylvania, we worked at the warehouse of project SHARE, a food distribution effort for needy families founded by a lady who believes in sharing love with people who are in need and lonely. In the enrichment seminar in New Orleans, we worked with the St. Bernard project on rebuilding houses struck by Hurricane Katrina. After our team finished our building tasks, we saw appreciation and positivity in the eyes of the neighborhood locals. Deep inside through both experiences, I felt satisfied, as I was part of a slight encouragement to the society who is supporting my education. These two experiences, although short in time, inspired me to use my time not only to work hard for my own goals, but also to slow down and search for someone who is in need of help, without asking for anything in return. Return happens eventually, especially when we grow as a result of experiences. Being part of the Middle East region, I look forward to the value that I will bring home when I return.

My Master of Engineering Management cohort at Duke University was a mix of over 120 students from all over the world. One of the highlights of the program was the weekly seminar in which a student presented his/her country and then shared his/her home country’s food with the students. I felt honored to dress in “Al- Toab” and talk about Jordan’s history, culture, people and attractions. I shared some kebab, hummus, and tabbouleh. In the program, students were always looking forward to learning from each other about global issues and to ask a myriad of questions without feeling judged or afraid. We carved pumpkins for Halloween, danced like we were in Bollywood at the Spring Formal, celebrated the Holi festival, danced Salsa, and tasted food cooked by students from all over the world.

Being a Blue Devil, Duke University’s mascot, I enjoyed being part of the school’s spirit and cheering for my university’s basketball team: “let’s go Duke” in Cameron stadium. We would dress in “the correct shade of blue,” head to the stadium, and then wait in the walk-in line of graduate students. Sometimes we would head back home without getting in because the game was sold out. It was a lot of fun.

During my studies at Duke, I attended Catholic mass on Sundays and Friday prayers at the Duke Chapel, the same place! As part of that environment, I talked with Christian friends about Easter, received a Bible as a gift, and also taught my Christian friends prayer and concepts in Islam. Sometimes I would talk with my Pakistani and Turkish friends about their efforts to learn Arabic in order to understand Islam, which left me thinking about how they are trying to learn what’s natural to me.

After residing in the U.S., I know that it is not filing taxes, getting my driver’s license, or speaking English that makes you feel part of the society. It is, however, small details that enter your life subconsciously. Saying “awesome” every second, gaining weight and then realizing that you should eat healthy, getting lost and trusting that your GPS will get you back home, trying Mexican food, celebrating Halloween and Thanksgiving, talking with different people, shopping on Black Friday, and trusting a new person to cut your hair. Most importantly, I learned from Americans that I am never too old to work hard and that I should always work to create opportunities.

Last but not least, I feel honored and blessed to be a Fulbrighter. It was a dream come true and a chance that changed my life. There is nothing better than working hard on what we want, and then trusting that life will lead us to where we can make an influence. Giving back is the harvest of my Fulbright. May we never lose our passion for our dreams, confidence in our abilities and empathy to our global world.










Amal Said is a Jordanian Fulbright alum who graduated from Duke University with a Master’s in Engineering Management.

Dare to Dream: My Fulbright Story

 My passion for science sprouted in me at a very tender age. Since my father is an endocrinologist and my mother is a pharmacist, I can say I was born into the field. As I grew up, my fascination with scientific research matured, owing to the fact that I saw my brother and sister earn their Master’s degrees in dentistry and another brother in cardiology. I was inspired by my family and I decided to pursue a career in pharmacy. This inspiration resulted in my graduation with honors from Cairo University, School of Pharmacy, which is one of the oldest and most prestigious programs in the Middle East. I was eventually appointed to a pharmacist job in Cairo. This early experience was very rewarding. 

However, I soon found myself interested in clinical research and accepted a job as a research assistant in the Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority. In this new position I dealt with the preparation of radiopharmaceuticals and with quality control. This was my first encounter with patient oriented research. Moving to the National Research Center was definitely the very best next step in my research career. In this environment I used and mastered state of the art research tools. Keeping patient and clinical research in mind, I designed a study for my Master’s thesis project which I secured from Cairo University.

All of these successes led me to apply for a Fulbright grant and ensured that I had the opportunity to pursue further studies in the United States. Dramatic changes in my life arose early on in my path to becoming a Fulbright scholar and this gave me the impulse to write about my time in the United States. I found that this blog offered some of the most revealing insights into the benefits that can be derived from participating in the program.

 Although this isn't my first time being in the States, I am viewing my stay here with a Fulbright eye. This privilege has required me to adapt to a life with more independence and the responsibility to be a good representative of the Fulbright Program. I am very proud of the fact that I am doing my Ph.D. in Molecular, Cellular and Biochemical Pharmacology at the University of Cincinnati, ranked third in the U.S. among other medical schools. The local children’s hospital is number one in America in treating cancer and hematology and it is the target for many people from all around the world to study here. These things have also made it a challenge to enter my program because it is multidisciplinary; it requires excellent knowledge of different areas, as if you are taking four majors. Also, the fact that the former chair of the department was an Egyptian Fulbrighter, Dr. Malak Kotb, an acclaimed scientist who embodies collaborative and interdisciplinary research, further raises expectations and the demands of researchers.

I had many privileges in my country and now here I am in the challenge of facing a new life, discovering a new culture, learning how to deal with different types of people, and engaging with this society. I arrived in the U.S. four weeks late after my program started due to visa problems, but I was lucky to get the visa to come here at all! I traveled directly from the airport to the university to find that I missed some exams and assignments and it was really hard to catch up, especially since I had to take ongoing exams with my colleagues while taking other makeup exams alone.

In my first hectic day in school, one professor looked at me and said: it will be hard for you to go on in this course because it is really tough, it is better for you to drop the course.

I didn’t have a social security number or a home for the first month. Still, my desire to represent the Fulbright name and to prove my ability as a good researcher was worth more to me than feeling tired or even complaining about sleep deprivation. Eventually I got an A in the tough first semester course I had been encouraged to drop. Hence, this same professor came to congratulate me as I was one of his top students and he said, “No wonder that you are a Fulbrighter!” His words satisfied me and I felt that it was worth it to study hard in order to get noticed.

December 12th-15th, 2013 are special dates I will always remember. That is when I participated in the most amazing and unforgettable experience of my life at the 2013 Fulbright Enrichment seminar in New Orleans. The seminar focused on climate change and the environment. More than 150 Fulbrighters came from all over the world to share their ideas and live the joy of being Fulbrighters. It was fantastic to meet so many people who spoke different languages, with many colors of skin, came from a variety of cultures, and had diverse religious backgrounds. We seemed to all love each other even before seeing each other. Even with such diversity, we all shared one thing; the love of the Fulbright program. I gained many new friends from so many different countries. Even countries I didn’t know about before like Papua New Guinea. Now that I am older I realize the beauty of these types of friends. It is important to help others when someone is in need. For example, on our Facebook page, a German journalist and Fulbright friend posted that he had to write an article in a newspaper about the situation in Egypt in order to graduate. He needed to do some interviews with Egyptians, so I helped, and I was very happy to do so. Another friend posted that she needed to collect data about veterans and she didn’t know where to go. My program director’s office is in a VA (Veterans Administration) hospital, so I was able to help another Fulbrighter friend. 

While we were in New Orleans we enjoyed Louisiana’s shrimp during an authentic dinner of Jambalaya in the Musée Conti Wax Museum. We visited the Barataria Nature Preserve too. The most memorable experience was when we worked together to renovate houses and schools that had been destroyed by hurricane Katrina. We created lasting memories during the time that we served the community. This made us one family. Thanks to the St. Bernard project for allowing us to share in these services and to see the smiles on desperate faces.

I believe that when you insist on something you will certainly do it. As Walt Disney said, “Just think about it; dream it and you will do it.” Do you know that Walt Disney was considered a failed man because he wasn't creative and he was kicked out of his work? Michael Jordan was kicked off his school basketball team, but look where they ended up. They are both big names in their fields. So when you read about failures imagine that you will eventually become successful. Michael Jordan and Walt Disney succeeded where others failed because they were persistent; they dared to dream, put their minds to it, and had the courage to excel. So believe in yourself and your ability and you will do the unimaginable. For me, if I hadn’t held onto the dream that I would study in the U.S. one day, I wouldn’t be writing this now. If I hadn’t been persistent to get an A instead of just a passing grade I would have been kicked out of my program. So, if you aim high and put in the time, including a few sleepless nights, you set yourself up for success. ”Don’t look at the failures. Instead work hard, trust yourself, and you will do the impossible.”

Thanks to the Fulbright Program. The opportunity of being a Fulbright scholar will always be appreciated. 

Shaimaa Ibrahim is an Egyptian Fulbrighter studying at the University of Cincinnati.

The Beginning of Many Adventures!

 Being in the United States is one of the greatest things that happened to me. Studying at a prestigious business school and getting that college experience is great. On top of that, I always wanted to travel around the United States and experience the beauty it has to offer. I have always been an avid traveler, but this time I wanted to experience the wilderness and beauty of nature. During spring break of 2014, I had the opportunity to do go on a 3-day backpacking trip in the Grand Canyon in Arizona.

I experienced something magical. It was a great backpacking experience that I will always remember. I had the pleasure of joining a lovely group from Canada on this trip. We had a trip leader from Flagstaff, Arizona, who was responsible for leading the way and ensuring that everyone's needs were satisfied. We started day 1 of the trip by hiking down the famous South Kaibab trail. We reached the bottom of the Grand Canyon just before sunset and we camped at Bright Angel Campground. It goes without saying that the atmosphere at the campground was spectacular. Nothing beats the beauty of nature down there. It was very far away from any means of civilization. It was so calm and peaceful with fresh air and a clear sky. It was simply pure nature at its best! 

Day 2 of the trip was marvelous. We hiked some parts of the North Kaibab trail in the morning and came back to our campground in the afternoon. On the final day, we took off via the Bright Angel trail to reach our final destination at the top of the Grand Canyon. 

Words cannot do justice of the whole experience. It was a total of 20 miles covered in 3 days. We hiked all the way from the top to the bottom, and then from the bottom back to the top again. The enchantment of nature and the company of good people are what made this journey spectacular. It is truly one of the greatest hikes in the world. After the trip, I had an epiphany that I must seize every opportunity to experience the beauty of this world and its marvels. The United States has many similar wilderness destinations. I know now that this is just the beginning of many adventures for me!

Ahmed Almulla is a Bahraini Fulbrighter pursuing an MBA at Texas A&M University.

Meeting Obama at the White House Correspondents' Dinner

Let me tell you about one of, if not the, most surreal days of my life. My name was called out, and I walked on stage in front of a crowd that included the likes of Robert De Niro, Zooey Deschanel, and Barbara Walters. I was hugged by Michelle Obama, then shook hands with the President of the United States, who told me he was "very proud" of me, then cracked a joke with Joel McHale.

"Breathe. Take it all in," Major Garrett from CBS News told me as he firmly shook my hand. I walked off stage to a smiling crowd. "Congratulations," a woman told me as I walked back to my seat. "Thanks!" I replied before realizing this woman was movie star Kristen Bell.

Last year, I was in my room in Cairo watching YouTube clips from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, and dreaming of one day attending that event. Was I still dreaming? It wasn't until the next day, when I saw photographic evidence of my encounter with President & Mrs. Obama that I realized I wasn't.

The truth is, dreams do come true if you work hard enough, and last month, at least three of mine did. I graduated with a Master’s degree in Journalism from Columbia University, I lived in New York City, the capital of the world, for a year, and I didn’t just go to the White House Correspondents’ dinner, I received an award from the White House Correspondents’ Association at the event, and I got to meet President Barack Obama himself. 

In May 2013, I got a phone call that changed my life. I was at a conference in Cairo when my phone rang. It was the Fulbright commission, letting me know that I received the grant that would send me to my dream city to attend my dream school: Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism.

It has been wonderful, enriching, surreal, magical, and, by far, the most exciting year of my life. But, make no mistake, getting this degree was anything but effortless.

We all boast about our accomplishments and share our shiny, smiley photos, but you rarely ever see the behind-the-scenes. Let me tell you about the exhausting times, the sleepless nights, the stressful days, the hundreds of emails, the daily deadlines, and the re-writes of the re-writes.

I’m not going to lie; there were days that I wanted to give up because of how challenging everything was. But I didn’t.

I didn’t because I couldn’t. I didn’t just work hard in my classes throughout the year; I worked even harder to get here. It took me three years of hard work, tough career decisions, and reporting on the ground when everyone else avoided the streets. It took me multiple rounds of tear gas, speaking to victims of abuse, dealing with hostile crowds, witnessing inhumane violence, attending trials of strangers and friends, dozens of applications, rejection letters, more work, and draining, exhausting persistence.

Getting the Fulbright grant was my proof that when you work hard, you will be rewarded.

And I guess what I’m trying to say is dream big, but work harder. Because here I am, one year later, in a reality that far exceeded my dreams. I have met the most brilliant people, had the most riveting conversations, laughed about things I never knew existed, and yes, I shook hands with the most powerful man in the world.

Thank you again, and again, Fulbright.

Deena Mohamed is an Egyptian Fulbrighter who graduated from Columbia University with a degree in Journalism.

Best Roommates

When I was applying for housing at North Dakota State University, I requested a studio apartment. I thought that as a graduate teaching assistant I would need all the time in the world to plan lessons, work on my papers, and grade coursework--which was true. However, all of the studios were full, so the residence life office assigned me to a quad room with three roommates. At the beginning of this experience, I was not sure what to expect, though that quickly changed. When my roommates and I first moved in together we all kept our distance. However, soon enough we would all meet in the kitchen late at night looking for something to eat, so we sat together and chatted about the day. Very quickly we got to know each other better and became more comfortable in each other’s company.

Our creative ideas sparkled when we worked together. One of my roommates has a TV and DVD player. The other one brought a cable from home. So we had the TV in the common area. And we decided that Friday would be our movie night. It has become a weekend ritual where we buy snacks, or cook something, and watch a move chosen by one of the roommates (we select in turns).Additionally, we regularly cook one or two meals together for dinner and over the weekend. Cooking has become very creative as we try each other’s recipes. It is a real mix of cultures.

Among all this, I forgot that I was on the waiting list for a studio. In the month of November, I received an email from the residence life office saying that I have to move to my studio room as soon as possible. My roommates and I were shocked. My roommates encouraged me to talk to the director of the residence hall I live in to see if I could stay. They even came with me to talk to the RA first to ask if I could stay. I was really touched that they stood with me. The RA said he was not sure if there was something that could be done, so we went back to our room. We started thinking about packing and going to see each other every day. We planned on continuing to still go shopping together, share food, and keep each other updated by using the phone application “WhatsApp”.

After talking to the RA, I wrote an email to the director asking when I should be moving out and he replied the next day saying that I could stay! We all thought this was a good reason for a celebration since it was clear we had become much closer after living together for only a short time. We kept our celebration small and we bought ice cream and stayed in talking about what we would have done if I had actually left.

I am now glad to be in a quad with my roommates. We can have all the quiet time when we need it, but we enjoy learning about each other and living together.

Ibtissem Belmihoub is an Algerian Fulbrighter pursuing an MA in English at North Dakota State University-Fargo.

My Independence Day in the USA

Experiencing the 4th of July in The United States of America is a unique experience. You can notice the United States flags on the majority of buildings, and people dress up patriotically as much as they can on that day! The colors red, white and blue are seen everywhere, even on cakes and candies. Some people go to festivals and concerts, while others enjoy barbecues and picnics with their families and friends. Many young people celebrate and set off fireworks for several days, but the fireworks on the 4th of July are the biggest and the most beautiful of all. I’m really thankful to Fulbright for giving me the opportunity to experience American culture!

Wissam Razouk is a Moroccan Fulbrighter doing research in Computer Science at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale.

Independence Day in the USA

I spent the 4th of July in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. In the morning, my colleagues and I had brunch before seeing the parade, which took place in downtown Chapel Hill. It was the first time I saw an American parade in person. I really loved it. It was joyful and fun, and many people were present. At lunch, my friends and I gathered around a barbecue. There were many people of different nationalities and we spent the afternoon together. At the end of the day, we went to Kenan Stadium on campus at the University of North Carolina to see the fireworks. As the first time celebrating Independence Day, this very special day for The United States of America, I had a great time and made wonderful memories. I am glad to have had this experience.

Imane Allali is a Moroccan Fulbrighter studying Bioinformatics at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

My July 4th Experience in the USA

I was ready to celebrate Independence Day in New York City but I was so sad that the weather forecast was bad. Storm Arthur was approaching NYC and there was a possibility of postponing the fireworks celebration over NYC from the Brooklyn Bridge! Just a day before the event, the forecast said it would be cleared on the 4th by 5:00pm but with the possibility of rain, so I took the trip from Valhalla, NY to NYC to set up my tripod and camera. I had to put all of the tutorials I watched on Youtube on “how to catch the fireworks on camera” in action, because this was my first time watching fireworks and I never had this exciting event in Iraq.

I stood there on the shore of the Brooklyn Bridge Park facing the great history before my eyes, the great landscape of NYC and the sunset behind that great city and nation which is based on free men who wrote “freedom” on the wall of eternity once upon a time, and all Americans celebrating this moment from now till the end of time, this is the power of free will.

Ammar Al-Attar is an Iraqi Fulbrighter pursuing an MS in Physiology at New York Medical College.