Fulbright Foreign Student
Newsletter

On Being a Cultural Ambassador in the United States

On October 15, 2009 I realized how proud I am to be a Fulbright grantee at Indiana University Bloomington (IU Bloomington).  That day, I received an email from Michael Bachner, director of the business department at a large Austrian newspaper, regarding the newly announced Nobel Prize winner Elinor Ostrom.  Elinor Ostrom, a professor at Indiana University's School of Public and Environmental Affairs, had been awarded the “Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel for 2009” and subsequently brought media attention to my graduate program.

Yet meeting Elinor Ostrom in person and attending her lectures has only been one of the many highlights I have experienced during my first year at IU Bloomington.  During my second semester, I became a teaching assistant for an undergraduate course titled, “National and International Policy," which enabled me to enhance my teaching skills and discuss Austrian policies on health insurance, education, etc.  It was a challenge to describe to 18-year-old American students how Austrian healthcare differs from the U.S. system, but I was delighted to read several answers on their final exam regarding U.S. healthcare reform: “Just make it more similar to Austria's!”

Being a Fulbright student has also meant becoming a very active member of the community.  Within the first few weeks at IU Bloomington, I was selected as an International Students' Representative for the Graduate Student Organization, representing all international students within our program.  Having lived abroad for more than three years, I am familiar with adapting to different cultures.  I felt like it was my duty to share my knowledge and create a place where international students would feel as if they have a home away from home.  Since it was important to me to become an engaged member of the Bloomington community, I have volunteered for such activities as weeding the Wonderlab Children Museum's garden in beautiful downtown Bloomington - a greatly enriching experience.

Ruth Pollak, 2009-2011, Austria (right), with Ambassador Paula Dobriansky at Thomson Reuters in Washington, DC

My experiences over the past year have been truly remarkable and I want to thank the Fulbright Program for making them possible.  The people I have met have made lasting impressions on me that I will treasure my whole life.  Making and taking away these lasting impressions are part of what being a Fulbright cultural ambassador is about and I am greatly honored to have been in this position.

To comment on and interact with other Fulbrighters about Ruth Pollak's article on the Fulbright Community on State Alumni, please click here.     

Following the Fulbright Dream: the Burmese Experience

My Fulbright dream did not come true easily.  Starting in 2007, I applied three consecutive times for a Fulbright grant.  In spite of not having received a grant by my second attempt, I realized that I was still very inspired by the program.  I decided to give my best shot again and went ahead and applied for a third time.

Win Ko Ko, 2009-2011, Burma (center, in blue plaid shirt), with professor Eric Olson and a classmate on a field trip to produce an ecotourism map using GIS software.

Surprisingly, in 2009, I was admitted to the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University under the Fulbright Foreign Student Program.  My dream finally came true on the third attempt! 

While in the United States, I have been studying for a master's degree in sustainable international development - one of the flagship programs offered at Brandeis University.  The program fits with my previous professional experience as an Administrative and Logistic Officer at Deutsche Welthungerhilfe e.V, a German non-profit organization, implementing humanitarian projects in Burma's Cyclone Nargis-affected area in the Ayeyarwaddy Division and in Burma's former poppy growing areas located in the Northern Shan State.  I found out, while applying to Fulbright, that Brandeis University is considered one of the best universities in the U.S.  The Fulbright Program definitely placed me at the most suitable institution for my studies.  It is truly a great honor for me to study at Brandeis and enhance my knowledge about sustainable development.  Apart from our valuable studies, students at the Heller School have a great opportunity to share and learn from each other about their different professional experiences and unique cultural backgrounds.

One day, during spring break, I went on a hiking trip with my classmates to Mount Monadnock (3,165 feet) in nearby New Hampshire.  It was my very first hiking trip.  From the top of the mountain, I could see Mount Washington further north, as well as the beautiful New Hampshire landscape.  I could also see the whole hiking trail.  At that very moment, I realized that I was living my Fulbright dream.  I realized how my education empowered me to achieve my goal of pursuing a Fulbright grant.  I also realized that my quest had not been completed by just reaching a mountain top.  I still intend to share my Fulbright experiences with young Burmese students to motivate them to build capacity and human resources and promote Burma's future development.  I still have a long way to go.

After my program, I would like to work on strengthening civil societies, especially by implementing alternative development projects in Burma.  Burma is trying to eradicate opium production by creating sustainable alternative livelihoods for opium farmers.  I am sure that my Fulbright studies and experiences will help me to effectively address these and other development issues.  The Fulbright Program has refreshed and revived my hope for Burma's future.  It has really been worth following my Fulbright dream - even all the way back in Burma.

To comment on and interact with other Fulbrighters about Win Ko Ko's article on the Fulbright Community on State Alumni, please click here.