Fulbright Foreign Student
Newsletter

Practicing Islam in America

The moment I landed at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), I was pleasantly surprised to see how professional the officials were.  I was expecting to encounter staff with stern looks, bent upon finding faults in my travel documentation.  On the contrary, I met friendly people trying their best to ease all foreign passengers' transition into America.  In my interview, I was asked a few administrative questions and was treated respectfully.  People say that the first impression is the last impression.  I couldn't agree more.

Ali Afzal Malik, 2007-2010, Pakistan

I knew my religion imposed certain dietary restrictions, so my second major concern was to find Halal food.  As with the previous search for a place to pray, this concern didn’t last for long.  I quickly found out that USC had a big international food court in the University Village which offered quite a few international cuisines. Additionally, I found that there were some Pakistani grocery stores nearby where I could shop for herbs and spices I couldn’t live without.  What a relief!  For me, life without Pakistani food was unimaginable.

I have found Americans to be extremely accommodating.  During Ramadan, the month of fasting, my team members would allow me to come late for meetings so I could break my fast on time.  The instructors also offered full support.  I still remember the time when one of my professors allowed me to take a break during the exam so that I could pray on time.

The Fulbright Program has been instrumental in removing misconceptions about practicing Islam in America.  Life can be much different from common perceptions.  Now, after living in America for some time, I am fully convinced that contact with the real people is crucial to promoting mutual understanding between different societies and cultures.

To comment on Ali Afzal Malik's article on State Alumni, please click here.

Impressions of America

Writing an objective statement about my Fulbright grant is inspiring.  Getting the grant was an awesome experience in itself.  My first desire was to improve my academic skills, but my Fulbright experience has changed my understanding of the world, the U.S. and its values for the better.  Without this experience, I would probably describe the U.S. as a country that lacks solid historical roots, a continent established on hopes and dreams which doesn't fully value community and the family system.

Abdulsalam Sikiru, 2008-2009, Nigeria, at the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, California

America's image has a long and important history in other countries, and it is my view that grantees should not focus solely on their academic objectives but also try to understand the various facets of U.S. culture, politics, and economics.  They need to be aware of their own country's image in the U.S.  For example, having a sense of what Americans know about their country will enable grantees to better understand their hosts' reactions and responses to them as individuals, as well as their cultures and societies.

Also, it is important for grantees to think about how their first impressions have an impact on their reality before they depart for the U.S.  This is important because becoming acclimated to a new culture usually relies, at first, on impressions rather than on any real evidence.  This approach will also assist grantees in understanding the purpose and eventual outcomes of their programs.  Once in the U.S., grantees may have to open their minds and present themselves as ambassadors.  I've found that the average American will usually be eager to discuss his or her feelings about your country.  It is wonderful to speak about one's country, in bad or good terms, and how it compares to life in the U.S.  These comparative discussions can also eventually influence positive changes in our own countries, societies and families, and promote good values overall.

To comment on Abdulsalam Sikiru's article on State Alumni, please click here.