A Year in the Fulbright Life: Nisreen’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.

August 2021

I arrived in the United States in August of 2020 when the COVID-19 situation was very intense. Everything was operating remotely, public spaces were empty, and everybody was social distancing. The university held a Zoom orientation session for new students, but could not coordinate anything in person due to the circumstances at the time.

Luckily, things are different this year! Although COVID-19 is still around, my university decided to go back in person. Because of my university’s opening, I got the chance to meet new people, go places with them, try new things, and enjoy what the university has to offer a Palestinian Fulbrighter coming to Iowa City, Iowa.

I’ve also had the chance to explore exciting places in my new home. So far, I visited Iowa 80 which is home to the World’s Largest Truck Stop, went tubing for the first time ever, listened to live local music, and unbelievably, I got a sore arm from playing tennis for two hours! Despite the soreness, I enjoyed it all! Without the Fulbright Program, I might not have had the opportunity to experience these new adventures.

September 2021

Iowans love fall activities: pumpkin patches, apple picking, sunflower fields and corn mazes…you name it! It’s a nice way to say goodbye to summer and enjoy the outdoors with my friends before winter comes.

At the University of Iowa, Hawkeye games will introduce you to a new whole community on campus! There is a tradition called “the Wave” where all the fans in the stadium wave at the children watching from the windows of the university’s Children Hospital that overlooks Kinnick Stadium. It’s so sweet that you’ll find yourself shouting “Go Hawks!” without even knowing it!

October 2021

I made a new friend this October! This was my first time carving a pumpkin and my Jack O’lantern came out cuter than I expected! Did you know that carving pumpkins came all the way from Ireland to the United States? Clever Jack tricked the devil himself

Nisreen is a 2020 Fulbright student from the West Bank. She is studying Linguistics at the University of Iowa.

Follow updates from Nisreen 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 Nisreen does this year!