A Year in the Fulbright Life: Shaimaa’s Story
A Year in the Fulbright Life, a FulbrightMENA blog series, showcases a handful of Fulbright Foreign Students as they navigate one program year, month by month, from orientation to graduation in the United States.
August 2023
Although I have traveled before in the past, I found it particularly difficult leaving this time. My departure was just as hard for my family. In just a few moments at the airport, all the memories of my life in Egypt rushed back to me. I could not help but look around me and think, “I sure will miss life here.”
I thought it would be boring to spend 10 hours at Charles-de-Gaulle Airport, but I enjoyed taking the train between the gates, going shopping, and, most of all, pondering what the future held for me in Miami, Florida. I spent part of my first week figuring out the transportation system in Miami with the other international students. It was a very different experience, but I can confidently say that the Metro and University Shuttle are the best modes of transportation in Miami.
I will never forget my first day at the University of Miami, not only because I had a great time, but also because I walked all around campus looking for the right buildings. The university campus is huge. All in that one day, I got my ID, finished the check-in process, visited my new office, bought a SIM card, and opened a bank account.
Attending the School of Communication orientation was extremely beneficial. I had the opportunity to get acquainted with my professors and colleagues and learn about the school’s various majors. Initially, I was shy, but I made the effort to talk to everybody to make friends. Then, we attended another orientation for the Department of Interactive Media and ate lunch together.
It was attending many orientations and gatherings that enabled me to make friends from different countries and learn about new cultures. At the graduate student orientation, we were encouraged to talk to different student groups to learn about their activities.
After many long hours studying and working at the university, I returned home, not to rest, but to start another adventure with my housemates: cooking and eating a variety of different foods together in the kitchen.
Because I knew having a furnished home was good, I did not expect that renting an unfurnished room (especially for the purposes of this program) would be better. I felt pure happiness when I received a piece of furniture and assembled it in my space. It was difficult at the beginning to sleep on a floor mattress, but now, I like my room and feel that I own every piece of it.
September 2023
My Fulbright journey throughout September was a life-changing experience, full of deeply enriching adventures and unexpected memories. Cultural exchange has not just happened in museums and at receptions — –it has been an integral part of my study through the world of virtual reality (VR).
In my Immersive Storytelling course, I not only learned about designing virtual environments, but also how to communicate stories that transcend cultural boundaries. To create these stories, I worked with my colleagues to create a 360-degree movie that reflected our diverse ideas and perspectives. My Fulbright experience and time spent working with VR at the University of Miami resulted in me being featured in my university’s magazine! This was a moment of immense pride, as I shared my culture and Fulbright award with the world. I am excited to continue learning about the potential of VR as a tool for cultural exchange and the power it holds in connecting people from all corners of the world.
I sought to deepen my understanding of cross-cultural exchange outside the digital realm through connecting with my university, the city of Miami, and other Fulbright alums.
The University of Miami also provided me with a place to nurture my spirituality, as I joined people from various countries for prayer and reflection. This experience was a testament to the university’s commitment to inclusivity and allowed me to share a deeply personal aspect of my culture with those around me.
I visited both the History of Miami Museum and the Perez Museum where I met new friends from the city. By connecting with the local community, I found myself appreciating the cultural diversity that makes Miami so vibrant.
I was able to reflect on these experiences and gain a deeper appreciation for the Fulbright Program’s role in fostering international relationships at the Florida Fulbright Alumni reception held at Larkin University. This experience reaffirmed that cultural exchange is not simply limited to physical borders. Instead, it persists through the individual connections we build with people from all around the world.
October 2023
In October, I met new students at the Muslim Students of the University of Miami (MSUM) group. I enjoyed collaborating with them in activities in the weekly meetings.
During this month, I attended “The Importance of Being Earnest,” a play by Oscar Wilde, at the University of Miami theater. It was a different experience to see scenery and period costume design of the Victorian Era.
I enjoyed visiting new places, like the Dolphine Mall, with a new friend from Saudi Arabia this month. We had a wonderful time! The most important thing we did was try different types of cuisine.
November 2023
Attending a Halloween party for the first time with my professor and colleagues was really a wonderful time.
I went to the Cultural Fest 305 2023, a local folklife festival at the History of Miami Museum, with my friend .
The International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) office organized a mixer event in the fall to introduce international students to each other.
December 2023
This month, my colleagues and I, with the support of our professor, worked with FilmGate Miami to organize an amazing event in Miami, Florida. It was a true learning experience, collaborating with the amazing team at FilmGate and working with people of different nationalities.
I tried a new VR experience called “Year 2180” with the artist Vanessa Keith. We also used the newest AI technology to create a soundtrack based on our mood.
This is me with the Executive Director of FilmGate, Diliana Alexander. She believed in me and gave me the opportunity to collaborate with FilmGate Miami. I was then able to play a part in preparing and organizing the FilmGate Festival in December 2023.
Here I am using a holographic lens to watch a new project and learn how to adjust photos without controllers.
During my last day at the FilmGate Festival in Miami Beach, I celebrated with all the creators and organizers.
Later in the month, I went on an Art Basel tour in Miami Beach with the South Florida Fulbright chapter.
January 2024
I attended the orientation for graduate students with old and new friends at the University of Miami.
I had to say goodbye to some of my friends who finished their program and were leaving the States. Of course, I decided to cook Egyptian Koshari to celebrate their success.
In January, I also went to Los Angeles to attend the IEEE AIVXR conference.
On my first day in LA, I was excited to meet friends and attend the conference. Making new friends and connections is always one of my main goals in the States.
Attending the conference in LA provided me with a lot of different experiences. I was able to acquire a lot of new knowledge.
After the conference, I had a good time with my friends in Santa Monica. Think twice before shopping with your friend! Thank God we ate before because we surely spent the rest of our money that afternoon.
Venice Canals, near Venice Beach, is the best and most quiet place to walk and admire the beauty. I love it so much.
Back again in the beautiful city of Miami, I attended an environmental event called “Hopeful, Healthy Oceans” at the University of Miami.
Finally, after all this work and travel, I returned to nature to exercise and walk with my friend. Being back in nature was humbling as memories of my time in Miami rush to my head.
February 2024
Attending the 2024 Reentry Workshop organized by Amideast and seeing my friends from all the States provided a great opportunity to support each other and share different stories and experiences.
Here are some pictures of the welcome dinner at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library.
It was an amazing dinner with all the departing Fulbright students and Amideast staff in DC. We had an opportunity to get to know each other and have fun. I also met Dr. Maggie Nassif, the Executive Director of the Binational Fulbright Commission in Egypt.
Here are pictures at DC Central Kitchen where we did community service as a part of the workshop.
One highlight included spending time with friends at the Kennedy Center. We learned about U.S. history at the JFK Gallery, a Permanent Exhibit on the Art and Ideals President John F. Kennedy, and watched a funny play.
Visiting the White House for the first time was also a great experience, and I had so much fun there.
March 2024
I am filled with gratitude as I reflect on the opportunity extended to me by Dr. Thelma Lazo-Flores, the esteemed Dean of Interior Design at Istituto Marangoni Miami. She invited me to serve as a juror for the L1 finals presentation on March 20, 2024.
Dr. Lazo-Flores’ belief in my expertise and her commitment to fostering collaboration within the design community are truly inspiring. I am honored to have been chosen to participate in this event since it gave me the chance to see the creativity and talent of the students.
For the first day of Ramadan, I prepared Egyptian Iftar for my friends.
I also met up with the South Florida Fulbright Chapter. It was a nice chance to meet with talented Fulbrighters during Ramadan and eat Iftar together.
Attending the 2024 Fulbright Enrichment Seminar in Atlanta on Exploring the Legacy of the Civil Rights Movement was nothing short of transformational. Engaging in site visits and community service initiatives fueled my understanding and appreciation of the event.
The journey commenced with a profound exploration of history and heritage at the APEX Museum where the echoes of the Civil Rights Movement reverberated through the corridors, leaving an indelible mark on my soul. Walking in the footsteps of those who paved the way for equality and justice filled me with awe and reverence.
However, the true essence of this seminar extended beyond historical narratives; it encompassed the spirit of service and compassion exemplified by our visit to The Welcome Co-op. Witnessing the dedication of this non-profit organization to serving refugees and the homeless, providing them with essential resources such as clothes and food, was a humbling experience. It reinforced the importance of empathy and solidarity in addressing societal challenges, inspiring me to become a catalyst for change in my own capacity.
Beyond the confines of our seminar and workshops, Atlanta revealed itself as a city of breathtaking beauty and abundant natural wonders. Exploring its vibrant streets and verdant landscapes served as a reminder of the inherent harmony between humanity and nature, fostering a sense of reverence for the world around us.
April 2024
It was wonderful to attend an international student gathering at the University of Miami during the second semester. I got to know more international scholars and seized the opportunity to collaborate with them in work and activities.
Attending many events with the Muslim communities throughout the year helped me to build many friendships. These are pictures of my friends and me attending a Moroccan Iftar.
It was amazing to find out that the University of Miami prepared Eid prayer at the mosque for the students to let them practice their religion.
Attending an Eid party at the university was amazing. It showed how the University of Miami cares about all the students and their holiday celebrations.
I was thrilled to attend the Smart City Conference 2024 at the University of Miami! The opportunity to connect with talented individuals and experts in AI in Architecture was truly inspiring. From insightful panels to captivating keynotes, I gained invaluable knowledge and networking experiences. I cannot wait to apply these learnings to drive innovation in my field!
I met up with some of my teammates to prepare and work on a new VR project.
May 2024
Attending a showcase of students’ work is a great opportunity to check out different projects and meet new talented students at the university.
I was surprised when Dr. Karin Wilkins, the Dean of the School of Communication at the University of Miami, greeted me in Arabic. I felt so proud when she told me she had studied at the American University in Cairo, Egypt.
I attended lunch with my mentor and work team of professors at the staff club of the university to say goodbye before I returned to my home country.
I enjoyed my last days in Miami by going to Miami Beach with my friends. We did a final night visit just to say goodbye to this fantastic year and make final memories.
Shaimaa is a 2023 Fulbright Student from Egypt. She was a non-degree student in interactive media at the University of Miami.
