During her Fulbright experience, Smita Worah from India, had the opportunity to interact with the faculty and students at Pennsylvania State University and gain valuable academic experience. “The fellowship was doubly beneficial to me, as I not only learned about various aspects of special education, but, as a person with a disability, I actually witnessed the U.S. disability laws and how they affect the lives of people with disabilities,” said Worah. 

Worah contacted the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange (NCDE) requesting disability related information to help her prepare for her studies in the United States. NCDE, a project sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State and administered by Mobility International USA, provides contacts with disability organizations worldwide, tips and strategies to ensure successful exchange experiences and resource rich publications for individuals with disabilities, disability organizations and international exchange providers. Worah used these free resources in preparing for her Fulbright experience and now offers this advice to other Fulbright applicants with disabilities: 

§         Make necessary travel arrangements, including planning if there will be long waits in airports between flights.

§         Plan for someone to meet you at the airport and take you to your accommodation.

§         Arrange for special mobility appliances, if needed (most universities have disability services and they are very helpful with this and other matters).

§         Inform all relevant staff about the disability, its extent and the type of help that may be required.

§         Always have a contingency plan so as to not panic in new situations.

§         Remember to keep in touch with family at home and the sponsoring agency.

§         Be prepared to work hard and be ready for an enriching experience.

§         Enjoy the exchange program!

 Smita believes in the great value of the Fulbright fellowships, especially because there is so much misunderstanding around the world today. “Sharing experiences with people whose values, cultures and lifestyles are different will help enhance our understanding of the world we live in—and what better way to do it than sharing a part of our lives and societies?” More information for individuals with disabilities and the world of international exchange can be found at National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange website: www.miusa.org or via email at: clearinghouse@miusa.org.