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Fulbright U.S. Student
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Promoting an Open Dialogue and Developing Community-Based Solutions
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Borderlandby Olga Trusova, 2009-2010, Ukraine"What will it be like to work in Dubai? Will I be paid? Will I ever get my passport back?”
When I came to Ukraine, I wanted to understand why migrants' personal trajectories can be so incredibly different and what makes them so. As a young immigrant to America, I was intrigued and troubled to see other people of Ukrainian origin with very different migration experiences. In an attempt to develop a better understanding, I ended up working with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), an NGO that focuses on prevention, rehabilitation, and reintegration of trafficking victims. The IOM works with over 75 counter-trafficking NGOs across Ukraine and runs a rehabilitation center in Kyiv, the capital, where the majority of my surveys and interviews were conducted.
I also wanted to connect with my audience (at-risk youth) and to share my research in a format that has a meaningful and lasting impact. I saw my audience as collaborators in the development of this project and met with them frequently to gather feedback on the developing narrative. Through focus groups with students, I found that they were thrilled to see comics about Ukrainians in Ukrainian! Many students were already familiar with manga and American comics, so it was an easy medium for them to understand. Many discussions were sparked after our feedback sessions. These discussions are really my project's goal: to promote an open dialogue about a taboo subject in a society that is deeply affected by this tragic issue.
I am now thrilled to announce that Borderland will be printed by the IOM and distributed to Ukrainian schools and youth in our first pilot this fall. I also plan to share these stories with an American audience through our Kickstarter Project. I am grateful to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program and never knew this project would take me so far! ¹ "Trafficking in Persons Report 2010," The U.S. Department of State, June 2010, http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2010/ To comment on and interact with other Fulbrighters about Olga Trusova's article on the Fulbright Community on State Alumni, please click here. |
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Agricultural Appropriate Technology in Malawi, the Warm Heart of Africaby Amanda Shing, 2009-2010, MalawiFor my Fulbright grant in Malawi, I’ve been studying appropriate technologies with an emphasis on evaluating an unique invention called the Universal Nut Sheller (UNS) used for groundnut (peanut) shelling. Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world. Its population of approximately 14.3 million is comprised mostly of small holder farmers. Aside from relying heavily on foreign aid, its economy is based mainly on agricultural products with groundnuts as one of its major exports. Thus, agricultural appropriate technologies, like the UNS, have the potential to help small holder farmers improve productivity, reduce and ease labor, and earn more income.
From interviewing Malawians, I’ve found that the middle and upper class small holder farmers can generally afford these technologies but decide not to purchase them over other items. Most tools aren’t manufactured locally because of a lack of training and market demand. Traveling to the city and obtaining all the construction materials is a hassle. Additionally, missing parts and transport costs increase prices and further deter possible users. Since there are many hurdles, most farmers prefer to purchase other things. Thus, dissemination of appropriate technology has proven to be the main obstacle. However, I met one outstanding guy named Hastings Goliath. He lives 13 km from the asphalt road and another five hours from the city where he can get proper metal. He takes the initiative to travel to the city, buy materials and return to his village to make his products, nut shellers. They are so popular with his community and in such high demand that he has a list of backorders! Many things could have made this sheller a success, but my hypothesis is that the sheller’s good quality and local presence led to its popularity. In fact, one farmer I interviewed chose to hire Hastings’ nut sheller rather than use the UNS he has in his backyard! Unfortunately, the UNS isn’t popular in the communities I’ve visited. This is not surprising, however, because it was never originally designed with Malawian communities in mind, and is therefore not an entirely appropriate invention. In the end, Malawians don’t necessarily 'need' new appropriate technology gadgets (except maybe irrigation tools) that would save on labor. The high population means that many are unemployed and an increasing number are without their own land. Labor is available and cheap to hire.
To comment on and interact with other Fulbrighters about Amanda Shing's article on the Fulbright Community on State Alumni, please click here. |
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Connect and Share Your Experiences with Fellow Fulbrighters on State Alumni and FacebookState Alumni If you are not already familiar with State Alumni, it is a social network sponsored by the U.S. Department of State exclusively for all current and past participants of State Department-sponsored exchange programs, including the Fulbright Program. To register for State Alumni and gain access to the Fulbright Community, go to https://alumni.state.gov. The Fulbright Library The Fulbright Library on State Alumni is a new way to share, connect and collaborate with other current and former Fulbrighters. It offers a platform, categorized by subject area, for you to share your articles, blogs, classroom materials and other media related to your areas of interest and research, particularly work related to your Fulbright grant. If you are already a member of State Alumni, you may access the Fulbright Library at https://alumni.state.gov/fulbright/library. Share your photos with the Fulbright Community!
The Fulbright Program now has an
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presence where you can join discussions,
comment on wall posts, and learn more about the
program's many facets. We encourage you to
visit the Fulbright Program's Facebook page
regularly to read about Fulbrighters in the news,
ask questions, and engage with fellow Fulbrighters
from around the world.
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A Call for Short VideosHave you made a short video about your Fulbright experience? Submit it to the newsletter! We are looking for informative interviews about your Fulbright experiences overseas. The video should run no longer than 10 minutes and highlight the positive impact the Fulbright U.S. Student Program has had on you, your host affiliation or campus (if applicable) and local community. Please request publication permission from anyone featured in your video. Acceptable formats include: electronic files such as wmv, Quicktime, DV, mini tapes, DVDs, etc. All videos will be edited and screened for their relevance and appropriate content. The footage can show you:
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A Call for Articles with PhotosWe 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 discuss your research, classroom or teaching experiences, as well as any personal examples about how you’ve achieved the goal of the Fulbright program: to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The length of the article should be no more than 500 words and not require much editing in order to be published. If the nature of your Fulbright project is very technical, please describe it using language that a layperson can understand. The accompanying photos (preferably high resolution, 300 dpi or above) should show you engaged in program activities, be illustrative of your article's content and include captions. Publication permission should also be requested from anyone included in your photos. Please submit your articles with photos within two weeks of the release of this newsletter. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to receiving your articles! |