Fulbright Stories.Rediscovering the USA

USA as seen by Armenian researcher

Astghik Shahkhatuni

US Exchange Programs in Armenia

• FLEX – High school students

• UGRAD – Undergraduate students

• MUSKIE – Graduate students

• Fulbright – Professionals (Doctoral degree researchers)

• Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship – Professionals (public service)

• JFDP – University Instructors

http://www.usa.am/cultural.php

Some Facts• The Fulbright Program was established in 1946 under legislation introduced

by then-Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas.

• The goal is to “...increase mutual understanding between the people of the

United States and the people of other countries”.

• Two-way exchange; U.S. scholars have an opportunity to share their

knowledge and experience with their colleagues in other countries, and

international scholars can visit a U.S. educational institution and exchange

their ideas with colleagues through lecturing and research.

• The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau

of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

• Currently the Program operates in over 155 countries.

• 294,000 participants; 111 000 from US, and 183 000 from other countries.

• 7500 new grants annually.

http://www.cies.org

Fulbright Family• The Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program.

850 foreign scholars from over 95 countries. To lecture and/or

conduct postdoctoral research at U.S. institutions for an academic

semester to a full academic year (6-9 months in Armenia).

• The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program.

154 Humphrey Fellows from 86 countries.

• The Fulbright US Scholar Program.

1,100 American scholars and professionals per year top around

125 countries.

• The Fulbright US Student Program.

Around 1,500 grants this year.

• The Fulbright Foreign Student Program.

1,700 new awards for foreign graduate students.

• ...

Eligibility Criteria

• Citizenship of the Republic of Armenia

• Doctoral degree or equivalent training or

experience

• Currently enrolled in university or scientific

institution for research

• English proficiency

• Sound physical and mental health

Research Fields

• Political Science, Economics, Social Science

• International Relations, Journalism and Law

• American Studies (History, Literature, Society

& Culture of the United States)

• Chemistry, Public Health and Medicine

How to Apply?

• Write a project you wish to implement and if

possible indicate where (host institution:

university, scientific center, etc.) and/or with

whom (professor, head researcher, etc.)

• Have a host professor write an invitation letter

• Request three references

• Fill and submit an application online

Timetable

• Call for applications – September 2009

• Deadline – 15th of November 2009

• Interview date – December 2009

• Initial approval – January 2010

• Final approval – April 2010

• Implementation time - late Aug 2010–Dec

2011

• Duration – 6-9 months

Destination

My Traces

San FranciscoBerkeley

San Diego

Los AngelesLas Vegas

Breckenridge

Chicago New York

Pittsburgh Baltimore

State CollegeGettysburg

AlexandriaHarpers Ferry Washington DC

Hoover Dam

Williamsburg ChincoteagueAssateague

Delocalization

Hoover Dam, NV/AZ border, 09/17/08

Capital of the World

Georgetown University

Hoya Saxa!

ASA

Hoya Saxa!

Armenian StudentAssociation

Some professors are really fun! ;o)

My International Lab

Armenian Corner in America

Aren’t you scared yet?

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer

Strong Magnetic Field

Electromagnetic Radiation

Resonance Spin ExcitationChemical Compounds

Liquid Helium and NitrogenSuperconductive coil

Everything is Simple

Research Outcome

• Participation in an international conference

in US with oral presentation

• Two joint published papers in peer review

scientific journals

• New partners for future collaboration

My Research in USadventures

Public Diplomacy

• Explore and learn about US culture, history, political system

• Introduce others to your country

Be Ambassador of Armenia in the US!

• Share your knowledge and experience you acquired in and

about US in your country

Be Ambassador of the US in Armenia!

Factors that Really Matter!

• Advanced research facilities and leading

scientists interesting study

• Metropolis Fulbright enrichment programs

• Wonderful host professor (as a researcher

and as a human) dozens of advantages

• Nice and knowledgable colleagues good

working environment

• Wonderful new and old friends lots of fun

What you can and should do

• Participate in enrichment programs by CIES

• Attend events in universities, communities, cities

• Acquire new knowledge from various museums

• Visit historical sites and monuments

• Contemplate nature and animals in various national

parks

• Participate in various events related to national holidays

• Feel free and brave to try new activities

Enrichment Programs• Welcome Party

• Washington DC “Symbolic” Tour

• Christmas Party with International Food

• Oyster Hunt in Chesapeake Bay

• Real American Cuisine (without Ketchup!)

• Mount Vernon Tour (George Washington’s

Mansion)

• BB King Concert

• Gershwin Opera “Porgy and Bess”

• Meeting with Think Tank Representatives

• Political Satirical Musical Show “Hexagon”

• Party at the Peruvian Ambassador’s Residence

HISTORY

First British Settlement

1607

Jamestown, Virginia

Love story

Jamestown, VA, 10/06/07

Colonial Times

17-18 centuriesBritish colonies, North America

Time Machine

Colonial Williamsburg, VA, 10/07/07

American Revolutionary War

1775-1783

13 British colonies, North America

The greatest man in the world

War of 1812

1812-1815

USA - British Empire

Inspiration story

Fort McHenry, MD, 08/02/2008

Star-spangled Banner

O! say can you see by the dawn's early light…

American Civil War

1861-1865USA, Union - Confederacy

Revenge story

Arlington Cemetery, VA, 04/12/2008

Respect of History

Gettysburg, PA, 06/01/2008

World War II

1941-1945Planet Earth

Historic Shot

Sunset parade, USMC Memorial, VA, 07/12/2008

Friendship story

Tidal Basin, DC

Admiration storyAir and Space

Natural History

American History

American Indian

Zoological Park

Hirshhorn Museum

Portrait Gallery

Freer Gallery of Art

…

19 museums

9 research centerszoo

Smithsonian Institution, DC

Ongoing Events

present days

DC area, USA

Be close to people making history

NATURE

For any taste

Great Falls, VA, 05/04/2008

State College, PA, 05/31/2008

Harpers Ferry, WV, 09/07/2008

Shenandoah Mountains, VA, 10/20/2007

Luray Caverns, VA, 10/20/2007

GW Memorial Parkway, DC, 12/16/2007

Feel Closer to Younger Brothers

Wild Animal Park, San Diego, CA, 09/20/2008

“We are of the same blood, you and I”

The Most Dangerous Animal after Lions and Tiger

Wild Animal Park, San Diego, CA, 09/20/2008

The most expensive animal

San Diego Zoo, CA, 09/19/2008

Never too late

DC, 03/15/08Old man cactus, Botanical Garden, DC, 03/01/08

ARCHITECTURE

Reach the Sky

New York, 03/28/08

Reach the Heavens

Reach the People

National Archives

Thomas Jefferson Memorial The Capitol

Washington MemorialAbraham Lincoln Memorial

Peaceful Coexistence

Central Park, New York

Pentagon, Arlington, VA

Pittsburgh, PA

Chinatown, DC

CULTURE

Cultural Life

• Opera, ballet, theater, musical, shows

• Concerts

• International, music and many other types of festivals

• Art museums and exhibitions

Inspiration

Roof of Kennedy Center of Performing Arts, DC, 06/14/2008

Who is guilty?

Domenichino, 1926, National Gallery of Art, DC

Touch, Push, Watch, Listen, Play,

and Learn• Natural History Museums

• Science (Air and Space, Technology, Navy, Cryptology, etc.)

• History (American, Indian, African, etc.)

• Military (Aircraft carrier, Submarines, Ships, etc.)

• Museums of famous people and events

• Museums just about everything

Military Toys

On destroyer USS Barry, DC, 07/19/2008

Navy Museum, DC, 07/19/2008

National Cryptological Museum, MD, 08/02/2008

On aircraft carrier USS Midway, CA, 09/21/2008

Patriotism

Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, IL, 09/02/2008

HOLIDAYS

Holidays

• Halloween

• Thanksgiving

• Christmas

• Valentine’s day

• Easter

• Independence Day

Pumpkin Day

Alexandria, VA, 10/31/2007

Looking for pumpkins…

Hollin Farms,VA,10/28/2007

Somewhere on the street in Alexandria, VA

Have Fun by Making Fun of …

Halloween, DC, 10/31/07

Light the world

around you

Do not Judge by Appearance

9 m

National Christmas Tree, DC, 12/25/2007 03/12/2008

Easter

Waiting for the show

CUISINE

Yum-yum!

All year around, US

Big, bigger, super big

Home made

Rhubarb pie, 06/17/2008For friend’s birthday, 06/26/2008

Cakes for my friends, 07/07/2008

To order a cake please email me!

For cousin’s birthday 09/23/2008

For friend’s birthday 01/26/2008

For my friends, 09/28/2008

For my colleagues, 10/02/2008

For friends, 03/16/2008 Pakhlava, 12/31/2007

Proof

Remains of summer tolma, eggplant dish and pakhlava, 12/07, DC

Fresh Harvest

Larriland Farm, MD, 07/05/2008 Butler’s Orchard, 06/15/2008

Hollin Farms,VA,10/28/2007

ORDINARY PEOPLE

Hospitable

Visit the President every day!

Respectful and interested in other cultures

Cathedral of Learning, Pittsburgh, PA

Joyful

Kite Festival, DC, 03/29/2008Chicago, IL, 09/30/2008

Humorous

Spiteful

Spite house, Alexandria, VA

Crime

Navy Museum, DC, 07/19/2008

La Brea Tar Pits, Los Angeles, CA, 09/21/2008

You are welcomed in the USA!

10/07 Alexandria, VA

Armenian Traces

Unveiling Myths about the US

• People are not friendly

• US does not have a history

• The food is not tasty

• People are narrow-minded

• People do not value family

• There is lots of crime

• There is not much interesting to see

Conclusion

Join the army of 300 000 Fulbrighters!

Enjoy advantages, prestige, and fame of being one

of us!

Explore the US – learn about people and cultures!

New country – new things to see and try!

New life – new possibilities to express yourself!

Welcome to the US!

My sincere thanks to Jeff Urban, Sanya and Anton Volskiy,

Yuzhe Chen, Leah Casabianca, Georgy Fyodorov, Kefeng Ma, Jeanne and Dick Weiss, Marianne and Dick Urban, Lilit and Ruben Michigan, Jeanine Greene, Linda Heckert, Ken Bossong, Aram and Ashot Avagyan, Vera Shahkhatuni, Zaneta Bertot, Tao Yu, Shibu Abraham, Ajay Malia, and many many others!

P.S. You made my life brighter

Questions?