Download - Fulbright Stories. Rediscovering the USA USA as seen by Armenian researcher Astghik Shahkhatuni
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?