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.
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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
