Annual Multicultural Fair

Ohio Northern University’s annual multicultural fair is a huge event where students celebrate and share their countries’ cultures. At this year’s fair, students decorated tables with their country's flag, beautiful fabric or tapestries, dolls, art or cultural artifacts, photos or a slideshow, posters, pamphlets and fliers, and music. There were interactive activities like henna painting, writing people's names in the different languages, teaching origami, teaching dance moves, and much more.

During this event I had my own table dedicated to Kurdish culture in the Middle East. I had the Kurdistan flag raised on my table and wore traditional Kurdish clothes. I displayed cultural-related pictures on my laptop screen such as Kurdish traditional clothes, traditional arts, a circle dance, maps, and historical and geographical facts about my country. I also shared some traditional Kurdish food called Shifta which is a mixture of chopped vegetables, meat, and flour that is fried in oil. I made the food by myself in advance and gave it to those who were visiting my table and eager to hear more about my culture. It was a fascinating multicultural experience.

Twana Smail is an Iraqi Fulbright grantee and pursuing an LLM at Ohio Northern University.

Habitat for Humanity experience

My first academic term at Virginia Tech was a very fruitful experience and broadened my perspectives in life. Some of the most enriching experiences that I had during my stay were those involving community service.

During our gateway orientation in New York City at the Queens Botanical Garden, my fellow Fulbright grantees and I did some “gardening work," where we delved into the soil, weeded out the parasitic grass, and created circles around the trees. The Construction department at Virginia Tech offered students the opportunity to volunteer on a construction site of houses being built by Habitat for Humanity. My wife Amal, who is also a Fulbright student, and I immediately registered for the event.

The Habitat for Humanity experience was really challenging, but it was one of the days that I enjoyed most throughout my stay in the US. First, we had to wake up early in the morning in order to be at the construction site at around 7:00 AM. It reminded me of my previous job back home where I always had to be early on site. The houses were located 40 miles outside of Blacksburg, VA in a residential neighborhood. I was very excited to work with my peers and to enjoy spending time with them, but what made me most eager to get started was that I was coming back to a field that I have built up a lot knowledge in over the years through my work experience working in construction. However, I was greatly surprised that we were going to work with wood! I was conscious that wood construction was very popular in the U.S., but before that day, the word "construction" had always meant "concrete and rebar" to me.

A few minutes after we arrived, we were introduced to our construction manager who briefed us on our tasks and gave us the appropriate tools and safety equipment in order to get started. I was expecting to see volunteers around our age but I was totally surprised to see the opposite. Most of the volunteers were either middle-aged people in their 60s, or even in their 70s or 80s! I was so impressed with these people's conviction to work, and with their team spirit and willingness to contribute to community development. They were devoted to the cause and some had been volunteering for over thirty years. They managed to stay devoted to the cause for so long even while having successful careers. This was a real inspiration for all of us and was a real life lesson for me.

Our work required coordination of people from different generations, from all around the world, and with different backgrounds and skills. It was obviously not only socially beneficial for the group, but it was also physically demanding! All of the team members were involved in building, erecting scaffolding, painting, installing vinyl siding, constructing and installing window frames, building cabinets, and also moving rocks out of the path of the workers. Our team accomplished a wide variety of tasks!

Our day ended at around 2:00 PM and our hunger was greater than our desire to get back home for a warm shower and well deserved rest. We had lunch together and shared some conversations with the other volunteers before heading back to Blacksburg.

The hard work and effort we put into the construction of these homes provided me with a new life lesson about the importance of community building and teamwork. I am very glad I came. Thank you Habitat for Humanity for this wonderful experience!

Khalil Benali is a Moroccan Fulbrighter pursuing a Master’s in Civil Engineering at Virginia Tech.

Around the US!

The Fulbright experience is one of the best things that has happened to me. I'm so thankful for having the occasion to nourish my passion for civil engineering in one of the best universities in the world, Virginia Tech. I'm equally grateful for having the chance to live the Fulbright journey side–by-side with my other half, my husband Khalil Benali. We two Fulbrighters are living and enjoying this experience to the fullest.

Since Khalil and I are both devoted travelers, we are continuously seeking out opportunities to check out the next destination on our long "places to visit in the U.S." list.

From DC, to Florida, California, Arizona, and Nevada, these adventures have had a cultural significance for us and have given us a new perspective about America and how diverse this great country is. We have met so many new people and learned much more about the rich American culture than if we had spent all of our free time on campus. We have also significantly increased our resourcefulness by living in situations we would never have encountered back home.

In addition to skylines in the big cities and enormous bridges and highways, we specifically fell in love with Williams, Arizona, which we had the chance to visit on our way to the amazing Grand Canyon. Williams is an original mountain town in Arizona located along the historic Route 66. It is an insanely beautiful small city. It reflects an authentic image of a Western village and celebrates the historic Route 66 through different vintage car shows and absolutely eye-catching cowboy settings.

Our trips around the U.S. created memories for a lifetime. Now, we have many more nice as well as crazy stories to tell people. However, the adventure doesn't stop here. There are still many other places in the U.S. where excitement is waiting for us, and the best is yet to come!

Amal Bouraga is a Moroccan Fulbrighter pursuing a Master’s in Civil Engineering at Virginia Tech.

My Experience as a Fulbrighter in the USA

Getting the Fulbright scholarship was one of the best things that has happened in my life. Fulbright is more than just funding to get a degree from an American university; it is also an opportunity to get exposure to different cultures, languages, traditions, religions, and to discover that despite all those differences we are all the same: human beings.

Whenever I am asked about what it is like to live in the United States, I summarize it in two words: respect and confidence. From the first day, I felt like I was a human being – not just in the university, but everywhere. It doesn't matter where you are from, what language you speak, or what beliefs you may have. For example, it was strange for me not to put my birthday, my nationality, and my picture on my resume. In general, a photograph, your age, and even marital status must be listed on a resume. Employers prefer young applicants (generally less than 28 years old). As for the marital status, employers assume that a married woman will end up pregnant. Employers in Tunisia tend to avoid that. That is why, if the job is open for men and women, employers prefer single female applicants rather than married ones. In some offers, it is mentioned explicitly "male only" right after the job description. This means that only applications from males are accepted, so even if I have the same qualifications, I wouldn't get a chance simply because I am a woman. In the States, that is considered discrimination. Your resume is supposed to reflect your skills, not your age, gender, or nationality!!!

Because I am a Muslim girl wearing the scarf, I was a little concerned about having trouble. Guess what? It was the complete opposite. I found that people are curious to learn about other parts of the world. I wasn't judged for what I am wearing because in the United States, being different makes me unique. I felt welcomed everywhere. That’s what I call respect.

One of the most unforgettable moments was meeting Secretary of State John Kerry. I participated in an enrichment seminar about democracy and human rights in Washington, DC with other Fulbright students. We have been told that one of the panel discussions would be in U.S. Department of State. Personally, I was not expecting that there would be a surprise waiting for us there. When John Kerry came in his first sentence was, “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you, super smart people.” Those words and the rest of the speech made me feel that I am special and I will be a successful leader. It meant a lot to me that such an important person stopped by to thank us for coming to the States. It was an inspiring speech.

Living in such an environment affects me deeply and positively. I got my self-confidence back and I was extremely happy. Now, I am part of a global network and I have friends everywhere. That’s what you can see in the pictures below!!!

Fatma Masmoudi is a Tunisian alumna who completed a Master’s in Economics from SUNY-Buffalo.

International Education Week Activities

The International Club at the University of Southern Mississippi organized an International Education Week where students from around the world represented their home countries. Poster exhibitions, teaching phrases and writing names in different languages were some of the highlights of the activities carried out by the students. Other activities included study abroad discussion sessions and a foreign country photo contest.

I represented the Sultanate of Oman and spoke about the main features of the country and shared some pictures from my road trips in Oman. My favorite part during this event was performing Arabic calligraphy for students and visitors on campus. Many students had their names written in Arabic.

The International Club engages in many activities throughout the academic year including social gatherings to celebrate major holidays with international students, partnering with other student organizations to participate in their on-campus events, hosting international food festivals, and organizing volunteer activities to help the surrounding community such as collecting and providing food to the homeless in conjunction with local food banks. 

I am glad that I joined the International Club and am taking full advantage of everything I can while in the United States for my Fulbright.

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

We don’t remember the days, we remember the moments

My experiences in the U.S. during the first six months of my Fulbright Grant have been challenging yet rewarding. I have been challenged to leave my comfort zone, to become part of something much larger than myself, and to develop skills and connections that will last a lifetime. I look forward to even more challenges and personal growth in the next few years.

Getting Out Of My Comfort Zone

Being in a different country such as the United States is definitely a new adventure to me and an experience worth exploring. For instance, I participated in a one week camping adventure in the beautiful Rocky Mountains in Colorado. The primary purpose of the camp was to bring together international students from different countries and backgrounds in order to bridge the gap between cultures and religions. As a Fulbright student, I saw the camp as an opportunity to meet new people, to expand my knowledge and to share my experiences with others. I met with students from countries such as China, South Korea, Japan, Germany and the U.S..

The camp comprised of various activities. Along with outdoor excursions such as hiking, skiing and horseback riding, the camp held several meetings and workshops about religions, traditions and American culture. It was a chance to learn more about Christianity and look at it through the lens of my own religion, which is Islam. Getting out of my comfort zone means to have an open mind toward new ideas and new people.

                   

The camping experience greatly exceeded my expectations. I learned things about team work, collaborations and living within a family context. Moreover, I enjoyed meeting many new people from different cultures. This kind of experience is the hallmark of the Fulbright program which is to increase the mutual understanding amongst different peoples. Personally, I shared my insights about Palestinians and the peace process in the Middle East. Ultimately, I became more aware that religions exist not to separate people but rather to unify them so that the world enjoys the meaning of peace.

Success Is My Only Option 

So far, the greatest achievement in my life is receiving the prestigious Fulbright scholarship. My first academic term in the school was prosperous. When I arrived at my campus in Kansas City, I set to myself a three-fold goal: be a good student, be an ambassador for the Palestinian people, and finally, be a representative for the Fulbright program.

I finished the first semester with excellent grades. Furthermore, I developed a good network with professors and students. These connections landed me with a position as a graduate research assistant in the Department of Finance where I am working on my Master’s degree. Achieving success wasn’t an easy road, and I had to overcome a few challenges. I faced a hard time adjusting to the new culture and the new educational system. The first semester was intensive and required a lot of studying and preparation. I was feeling a little lost at times, but I was always reminding myself that I have no option except to succeed. I talked to academic advisors and some experienced students to help me stay focused and study properly.

The United States is known as a multicultural nation. U.S. universities are attracting larger numbers of international students each year. As a Palestinian student, I see myself as an ambassador representing my country during my study here. I have been participating in extracurricular activities on and off campus. For example, I regularly participate with a student organization called cultural discovery group, which is in charge of organizing social and cultural activities with international students. Also, I created a Facebook group for the Master’s students in my classes to get to know them well. Engaging in the community is the best way I found to lessen the feeling of homesickness and loneliness.

Being a representative is the final task I aspire to achieve when I finish my Fulbright experience. Upon returning to my country, I look forward to working in vital positions in the investment sector where I can apply what I learned in the USA. At the same time, I will advise other prospective students aware of Fulbright scholarships and other exchange programs and assist them with applying.

The journey of one thousand miles starts with one step. I have marched that step. My Fulbright experience is still at its dawn. Every day I add new words to the chapter of this particular stage in my life.

We don’t remember the days, we remember the moments 

July 12th, 2013 is the day when I arrived at Monterey, California to participate in the Fulbright pre-academic program at Monterey institute for international studies. It was the most incredible experience I have ever had. I developed a strong academic background for graduate student life, made long lasting relations with students from different countries, and learned about the American culture and customs through classes, field trips and interacting with Monterey residents. The program was divided into three main categories: Graduate courses, seminars, and extracurricular activities.

                                                                         
 The courses I took were very necessary to prepare me for graduate student university life. Before I came to Monterey, speaking in front of a public audience was a concern to me. The intensive public speaking course I enrolled in was helpful to tackle speaking issues. At the conclusion of the program, I felt more confident to speak out and was able to deliver the final graduation speech in front of students and teachers. Other courses I took were graduate writing, research design, and library skills. Those courses were important to ensure a smooth transition to university life.

The program offered workshops and seminars in various subjects. One of the exciting seminars was one about the American election process. This workshop was given by the Congressman of California, Sam Far. Congressman Far explained in detail the history of elections and talked about political parties and foreign policy. Another seminar was about leadership models in organizations. The seminar was effective as it was followed by a simulation game to apply the learned concepts. Another seminar was offered by a professor from Cornell University; he explained to us how to publish a research paper and how get into top Ph.D. programs in the USA. The professor finally let us sing the Fulbright rap song multiple times!

     

                                      

Aside from academic life, we visited larger cities near Monterey such as Los Angeles and San Francisco.

                                  

We couldn't leave the program without doing something for the community. We participated in a volunteer activity called “Stuff the Bus”. We assisted the Monterey County Office of Education to pack and distribute school supplies to children. I learned the meaning of giving back to the community and the meaning of volunteer work and cooperation. It is such a wonderful feeling to put a smile on the faces of school children.

                                                                                                              

I spent 28 days in Monterey. The days passed far too quickly, yet I remember every moment I lived there. Every moment was full of love, success and happiness.

Akram Alkhatib is a Fulbrighter from the West Bank pursuing a Master's in Finance from University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Global Voices Festival at Beveridge Middle School

It was a great opportunity to participate in the Global Voices Festival at Beveridge Middle School in Omaha. I talked to a group of middle school students about my home country’s history, culture, and language. I presented for 35 minutes, during which I had a dialogue that was one of the best dialogues that I have ever had. The dialogue was unique because it was with a group of young (12-15 year old), outstanding, and enthusiastic students representing American society, who did not hesitate to ask questions.

I started my talk with the question: Where is Libya located? In my experience, many young Americans do not know about other countries. I was overwhelmed by the fact that more than half of the students knew that Libya is located in North Africa, and that Libyans speak Arabic. I shared with this impressive group of students some aspects of Libyan family life, relationships, and values. Also, I shared with them some photos of our traditional clothing and food. 

I concluded my presentation with an activity in which the students had the chance to create a poster, wherein they summarized and presented what they learned about Libya to other students.

Naji Albakay is a Libyan Fulbrighter pursuing an M.S. in Telecommunications at University of Nebraska-Lincoln.