A Year in the Fulbright Life: Leen’s Story

For the next year, Fulbright MENA will be showcasing a handful of students as they study in the United States with their new series, A Year in the Fulbright Life. Each month, spotlighted students will share an update as they continue on their Fulbright journey.

July 2019

Settling in a new culture is not an easy thing to do, but the international student orientation organized by Global Penn State made the transition much easier. I had the chance to meet new people from all over the world, got to know the university’s history and achievements, and explored the campus facilities and services. I’m so excited for my journey here at Penn State University.

August 2019

The Fulbright experience is one of a kind because it opens the door to new opportunities where you can meet people from all over the world. You also get the chance to learn about other cultures and enjoy a good time together. I attended a great cultural event, “Welcome Cookout”, organized by Penn State University where international students gathered to chat, get to know each other, play games and share a tasty meal.

September 2019

To make the journey unforgettable, we have to do the things that we have never tried before. Ice-skating was one of the greatest experiences I had here at Penn State since it was the first time in my life. It really helped me to get out of my comfort zone. I’m sure I will try again (and again) until I become an expert regardless of how many times I fall down.

Fulbright is a journey full of knowledge and surprises as well as a chance to discover myself.

November 2019

November was one of the most amazing months here because I had the chance to spend Thanksgiving with an American family. This is one of the experiences that I will never forget.

I also watched a football game! To be at Penn State, you need to be crazy about football. Beaver Stadium is the third-largest stadium in the world. Spending the weekend here means tailgating, watching the game, and enjoying the outstanding atmosphere. Way to go PSU!

December 2019

After a long and tiring semester, I decided to spend my winter break in the United States so that I could have the chance to discover new American states. I started 2020 in Washington, D.C. and Virginia. The new year celebrations there were spectacular. I finally visited New York City and discovered the city that I’d only seen in movies. Visiting the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, and Times Square were great experiences in a city full of life.

Leen is a Fulbright student from the West Bank. She is studying Engineering Leadership and Innovation Management at Penn State University.

Follow updates from Leen and other Fulbright students on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Check back here every month for more updates on the blog and Medium Series to see what Leen does this year.