Fulbright Foreign Student
Newsletter

If You're Going to San Francisco...

When I had a choice between four universities and finally chose San Francisco State (for their Comparative and World Literature Department) last year, it was a blessed day. San Francisco is a city of creative people, and there’s no better place for the literati to study. I think it’s the nature of California that makes this place so inspiring; the mountains, the Pacific Ocean, the Golden Gate Bridge (it's become a part of nature more or less), and original people from all over the globe.

Roman Tashleetsky, 2007-2009, Ukraine

By the way, about cats. Not so long ago, a Siberian tiger escaped from the local zoo and killed two youngsters before the police killed her. I often walk near the zoo since I live a just a few blocks away. I remember I imagined a possible meeting with Tatyana (the tiger’s name). What would I do? Climb a tree? Run away? I doubt it. I don’t think the fact that my sister’s mane is the same would help either. Maybe we would find a common language as we’re from neighboring countries, after all? They say there are many other exotic animals left; that’s why I try always to carry some snacks with me, just in case.

But back to school. In brief, I've enjoyed it. Some say it’s a low-budget university. I don’t know. Of course, it’s noticeable in comparison to Stanford or UC Berkeley (very convenient, by the way; you can participate in their conferences and/or other academic activities from home) but we have superb, devoted professors. They are very respectful. It seems you can call them at midnight and ask for a clarification on a chapter from Kant's Critique of Judgment. Certainly, I don't plan on taking advantage of this opportunity, but San Francisco State's professors' warm and gracious attitude remains.

Students are very hard-working. They never miss classes. And they are active. You’ll never hear them say classes are annoying, even at the end of the semester. They are very open-minded and friendly. The only thing I can’t get used to is eating during classes. I don't even want to comment about soda and donuts (I can hardly imagine that combination at home). But when I try to concentrate on a Shakespearean quatrain, and someone opens hot soup, followed by steaming pasta, it’s, well... At least it changes one's train of thought from literature to gastronomy.

The library system here is awesome. One can obtain any book through the inter-library loan system if it’s not available in our library. I am never at a lack for books. And, most importantly, our university has traditionally been a U.S. leader with international students. One can make friends with students from whatever country you wish. It’s the cultural capital no budget can buy.

I don’t intend to say everything is perfect. Many Ukrainians still have post-Soviet stereotypes about Americans. But there are people here who think stereotypes are not a thing of the past. A typical example; I met a mature student from Santa Barbara. I said I was from Ukraine and that most people in the former USSR know her city because of the famous serial program. A moment later, she asked, “So how is it going in Russia now?” It looks like it’ll take some time until the former USSR isn't associated exclusively with Russia.

Another case was when I was attacked by a Socialist activist on campus. She asked me to support them in propagating Lenin's ideas. We had a little discussion on why I think they shouldn’t waste their time with his ideology, and referred her to a book about Ukrainian history by Subtelny. She promised to contact me afterwards, but she never did. I never saw her among the Socialists on campus again.

Besides my education, I recognize the main value of my stay in San Francisco as being within such encounters. We discover Americans, they discover us. Two semesters have passed, two more lie ahead. I’m sure this time will be full of discoveries.

My Dream Realized Through Fulbright

As a language teacher, one of my biggest dreams is to study language as well as culture. This dream would have never become reality if I hadn’t won a Fulbright grant.

I am pursuing the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program at the School for International Training (SIT) in Brattleboro, Vermont. SIT, whose students come from more than 40 different countries, provides a great environment for me to learn the art of language teaching, languages from various countries, and become more aware of other cultures.

Ari Sukmana, 2007-2008, Indonesia, at SIT's Mulitcultural Fashion and Talent Show

Despite having an opportunity to study in an Indonesian accredited higher education institution, studying in a multicultural country like the U.S. opens up an opportunity to introduce my culture and customs internationally. In one of SIT’s international students’ programs, the Multicultural Fashion and Talent Show, I had a chance to share an Indonesian song as well as a traditional costume from my region. Other international students from countries such as China, Nicaragua, South Korea, Bolivia, Kenya, India, Senegal and Egypt also dressed up in regional costumes and performed signature dances and songs. It was the greatest and most unforgettable night of my life.

As a Fulbright ambassador from Indonesia, I believe that the MAT and SIT’s extracurricular programs will benefit me academically, and broaden my insight into better understanding other peoples and cultures. I feel like my dream is becoming a reality - even more so than I expected.