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Fulbright Program for U.S. Students

Fulbright U.S. Student
Grantee Newsletter

Issue 18 | June 2009

Life-Changing Events
table of contents

 Program Updates

Una Americanada

by James Hahn, 2008-2009, Spain ETA

The balloons and streamers were perfectly placed.  The refreshments table was stocked with snacks.  The DJ was ready to rock and the only thing missing from the dance floor were the protagonists.

At 7:00 pm, they – 220 Spanish high school sophomores and juniors – slowly trickled into the Instituto San Juan Bautista’s first-ever prom.  As they entered the main gate, dressed-to-the-nines, they were greeted by gawking teachers, parents, and Fulbright chaperones who couldn’t believe their eyes.

I couldn’t have been happier.  When I arrived in Madrid as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) in September, I aspired to share as much American culture as possible with the students and staff at my instituto.  In October, I began an email exchange between 100 of my students and 100 high schoolers from my native Wisconsin, so that students could swap cultural ideas and share languages.  Around Valentine’s Day, the “e-pals” compared love and dating in the U.S. and in Spain.  Some of the messages involved discussing American high school dances, such as homecoming and prom. 

James Hahn, 2008-2009, Spain ETA 
James Hahn, 2008-2009, Spain ETA (left) teaching a class
 
While talking with one class, I learned that most Spanish students had seen proms in American films, but many considered them to be an americanada, or something that is distinctly American, even laughable.  Just before class ended that day, Rosa, the English teacher and school principal, asked the students with a twinkle in her eye, “Would you like to have a prom?”  A split-second of silence followed as students pondered the proposal which was quickly broken by a resounding “Yes!”  The seed had been planted for the instituto’s first prom.

Although I went to prom in high school, I didn’t know much about organizing one.  Luckily, fellow Fulbright ETA Michelle Koo, who also works at San Juan Bautista, was an expert.  Together, we prepared an informative slide show that we presented to 10 English classes in order to inform and invite students to prom.  When students saw pictures of prom attire and formal prom photos, they couldn’t help but giggle.  “What an americanada!”

However, deep down, students were excited to attend one of “those dances” from American movies.  The school came together to make the event happen.  Rosa enthusiastically booked a DJ, ordered refreshments, and involved parents.  An art teacher drew up floor plans for the dance area and scoured IKEA for decorations.  The 20-member student prom committee excitedly selected music, sold tickets, and prepared.  Michelle and I were satisfied with the preparations and very intrigued to compare the final Spanish product to the traditional americanada.

Watching female students dance in kilometer-high stilettos, seeing students and staff sipping non-alcoholic beer, and line-dancing to a Spanish-version of “Achy Breaky Heart” made Spanish prom unique.  Yet like the U.S. version, prom court was presented and a king and queen were crowned amidst wild cheers.  Students proudly posed for formal prom photos and everyone – including teachers – danced the night away.  The imported americanada was a hit, and better yet, students and staff are already talking about a prom for 2010.

To comment on James Hahn's article on State Alumni, please click here.



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One Tuber at a Time

by Ruth Mischler, 2008-2009, Zambia

Early in the morning, hundreds of people cluster together outside the Zambian Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI) talking with excited voices.  The air is filled with anticipation for the field day, a time when local farmers from the neighboring villages, students and government extension agents come to learn about the research we have been doing at the ZARI: the Root and Tuber Improvement Program. The program focuses on improving disease resistance and production techniques of staple food crops, such as cassava and sweet potatoes.  Cassava and sweet potatoes are fascinating crops.  They are propagated by cuttings, which reduces seed costs; I have learned that one not only eats the starchy tubers, but also the leaves, which are rich in nutrients and delicious.  I share in the excitement of the day.  We have worked hard, setting out experiments, applying treatments and collecting data.  I personally have gained a greater understanding about new cropping systems, new crops and new ways of preparing foods. 

Ruth Mischler, 2008-2009, Zambia 
Ruth Mischler, 2008-2009, Zambia (center) speaking about the Root and Tuber Improvement Program with farmers, students and government extension agents
 
Now we are standing out in the sun-baked fields with the hot, near-equatorial sun beating down on our heads; sweating, we relish the light breeze that cools our skin and offers some relief from the blazing sun - and this is during winter!  I am still adjusting to the monsoonal climate.  But the heat doesn't dampen the mood of the researchers or participants and the exchange is a lively give and take.

It is rewarding to be able to share what we've been working on with the people who will be putting the techniques into practice and who will benefit from the new varieties developed.  The questions and responses of the field day participants help the researchers to refine their work and design experiments that are applicable to farmers' needs.  These exchanges are gratifying.  You experience the eagerness of the farmers about the improved varieties and the techniques that improve sustainability, while boosting economic output and helping them to directly improve their livelihoods.

I love being part of this Zambian agricultural community.  As a researcher, I am able to take on risks and potential failures that producers are unable to shoulder.  Through understanding and the sharing of experiences, the optimization of an agroecosystem progresses.  It really is a never-ending process as ecosystems and technology changes.  No two farming scenarios are identical.  However, optimizing farming systems is something that matters to each one of us.  Our goal is that everyone, all over the globe, can produce enough food to nourish their populations while preserving the land for future generations.  This to me is what being part of Fulbright is about; the joining of people across communities and cultures to share what we learn, helping to make this world a better place, one tuber at a time.

To comment on Ruth Mischler's article on State Alumni, please click here.



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Submitting Photos, Articles and Blogs to State Alumni


Share your photos with the Fulbright Community!
  • Step 1: Register for State Alumni at https://alumni.state.gov.
  • Step 2: Once your account has been verified, login to State Alumni and navigate to the Fulbright Community from your community menu on the home page, or go directly to https://alumni.state.gov/fulbright.
  • Step 3:  Click on "Multimedia Gallery" to view existing photo albums, podcasts and videos. 
  • Step 4: To add your own photo album, click on 'Create a New Album' on the right hand side of the multimedia gallery page.
  • Step 5: Create your album by adding a title and description.  Please be specific.  Adding your name, home country, Fulbright country, field of study and year will help others to easily identify you and your photos.  Click "Save."
  • Step 6: Click "Add Photos" to begin adding photos to your album.  Photos may be added one at a time (Single File) or as a group (Zip Archive allows uploads of .zip, .gzip, and tar files). 
  • Step 7: For each photo or group of photos, enter appropriate titles, captions, keyword tags and a location. 
  • Step 8: Edit your album or the individual photos in your album, if necessary.
  • Step 9: The Fulbright Community Manager will be alerted of your new album and will approve materials before they appear live on the site.  Until they are approved, photos will display a "pending" status.
  • Step 10: Enjoy the Fulbright Community galleries and articles!

    Note: In addition to adding photos to the Fulbright Community Multimedia Gallery, you may also upload photos to the general Photo Gallery for all State Alumni members or to your user profile.  If you have a podcast or video to share, please email it to Fulbright@alumni.state.gov. 

Tell the Fulbright Community about what you're writing!

  • Step 1: Register for State Alumni at https://alumni.state.gov.
  • Step 2: Once your account has been verified, login to State Alumni and navigate to the Fulbright Community from your community menu on the home page, or go directly to https://alumni.state.gov/fulbright.
  • Step 3: Navigate to "Resources" and select "Fulbright Library" from the menu.
  • Step 4: Choose the appropriate section, such as blogs, research papers or multimedia.  Click "New Topic" to add a new item, or reply to an existing post. 
  • Step 5: Write the name of your blog (or other writing), add a descriptive message, and upload any relevant files.  Click "Save." 
  • Step 6: Subscribe to any or all of the Fulbright Library sections to receive an email when new items are posted.


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A Call for Articles with Photos


We welcome articles with accompanying photos for future issues of the Fulbright U.S. Student Grantee Newsletter.  Articles should ideally be about your experience of being abroad as a Fulbright grantee (and cultural ambassador), and any relevant and/or unique musings you might want to share with your fellow Fulbright grantees and others interested in the Fulbright Program.  The length of the article should be no more than 500 words and not require much editing in order to be published.  The accompanying photos should show you engaged in program activities, or be illustrative of your article's content.  Please submit your articles with photos within two weeks of the release of this newsletter.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.  We look forward to receiving your articles!

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