A Year in the Fulbright Life: Wafa’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 / September 2023
My plane ride was a meeting I shall never forget. Amid, Mabee, and I come from different backgrounds, and we just had an amazing time together on the flight. From Israel, Guatemala, and Morocco, we dived into discussion about each other’s main cuisines, landscapes, must visit places, and diverse cultures.
After arriving in Dallas, I joined a welcome event to discover the library’s facilities. I enjoyed it as it was a funny way to learn about the building. It was kind of a treasure hunt, and we had to find clues through the whole library while discovering what it has to offer.
It was an event I shall never forget. My being there was a mere coincidence as I just missed my bus and wanted to go somewhere while waiting for another. That missed bus was the reason I made the acquaintance of my new best friend, Vicky. I found this welcome ice cream party and decided to join. Then, I met this wonderful person, and we continued our discovery of the campus together, doing many activities and playing games. It was so fun.
From then on, whenever there was an activity on campus, we notified each other to see if we could try new things and get out of our comfort zones.
A photo of my first day at Texas A&M University, to embrace the moment.
October 2023
October was unforgettable. I’m grateful for the new people I met, the experiences I had, and the challenges I faced.
Weekdays were for assignments and exam prep, but I engaged in extra activities on weekends. Playing pickleball with Julie, Hannah, Natasha, and Joe for the first time was a highlight. We had fun and shared a Persian meal while discussing our cultures.
Another enjoyable experience was a drawing session with my Indian and American friends. These biweekly meetings brought art lovers together to share their passion and learn about each other’s cultures. I shared my artwork and introduced them to my country’s food, clothes, and traditional songs and dances.
Halloween week was memorable. I attended my first pumpkin carving event and met Shennayaa, a new Fulbright participant from Nigeria. We carved a pumpkin together with my friends, and it turned out great.
I also participated in a Halloween-themed party organized by OASIS association. It was a mix of a costume party, role-play, and treasure hunt. I played FBI agent Franz, engaging with others in character. Being part of the decorating team was fun, and my poster became a popular photo backdrop.
October 2023 was full of fun and unforgettable memories.
November 2023
November was a very special month for me. I had to experience many new things I had never imagined. First, the Bollywood Party in which all international students were welcomed to celebrate Diwali. I wore my traditional outfit, Djellaba, and all my American, Taiwanese and Indian friends were amazed.
Then, I got the chance to attend a typical football game for the first time and it was EPIC!!! The Kyle Field vibes were so intense and truly hectic.
Another international event I participated in was the Language International Lounge in which we had to present a literary work in our mother tongue to show the beauty of the language. I performed an Arabic poem that the crowd really admired.
And of course, the Thanksgiving vibes. I celebrated this event with different friends and organizations like the OASIS association where we had a potluck. I brought my Moroccan tea, and I had to remake it for three times, because everyone literary LOVED it; Some even stood next to me while making it to see how this magic drink is made.
December 2023
December was hectic with finals but also a time to relax and enjoy vacation. I passed all my exams and rewarded myself with activities and trips with friends.
I attended the December Graduation Ceremony at Texas A&M University with the OASIS crew, cheering for our friends. It was an epic experience, and we even got help from strangers in the cheering.
I also participated in the OASIS Christmas Party, preparing traditional dishes, decorating, and playing the White Elephant gift exchange. I ended up with a vintage lamp that I love.
The highlight was a trip to San Antonio, where I spent three unforgettable nights. We had a memorable lunch at a Moroccan restaurant, where I introduced my Taiwanese friends to Moroccan cuisine and culture. We then took a magical boat caroling ride on the San Antonio River, surrounded by lights and Christmas songs.
We visited landmarks like the Alamo, San Fernando Cathedral, Mission San Jose, and the Mexican market. Our trip ended with a rustic camping experience in a wooden cabin, enjoying a fire and marshmallows. It was simply perfect.
January 2024
January was an exciting month full of adventure. I stepped out of my comfort zone with a seven-day trip to the freezing mountains of Colorado, organized by OASIS. Our group of 12, from various countries, enjoyed rich cultural exchanges during the long drive.
In Colorado, I tried snow tubing for the first time, visited Breckenridge, and spent several days skiing. Learning to ski was both challenging and thrilling. On the first day, I took skiing lessons to get familiar with the sport. My friends were incredibly supportive, helping me practice the new techniques I had learned.
On the second day, I decided to challenge myself by taking the lift to the top of the mountain. Once there, I was overwhelmed by the steep descent and could not see the bottom which frightened me. Despite my fear, my friends’ encouragement and guidance helped me make my way down the mountain safely, although it took me about an hour. It was a mix of fear and exhilaration, and reaching the bottom felt like a significant achievement.
We also went snowshoeing and relaxed in hot springs on the last day, which was soothing and calming after our adventurous activities. On our way back, we visited Amarillo, Texas, where I finally saw Route 66 and enjoyed dinner at the Big Texan. This trip was a great way to recharge for the new semester.
Back in College Station, I attended RUF’s Spring Welcome Party, filled with games, food, and social activities, along with Bible discussions that brought together people from different backgrounds.
February 2024
February was packed with enjoyable moments and a heavy academic and professional workload.
I kicked off the month by attending my first NBA game at the Toyota Center in Houston, watching the Houston Rockets beat the Toronto Raptors. The energy, cheering, and time-outs made it an unforgettable experience.
I also joined the TAMU Artists Club, meeting people who share my passion for art. We gathered weekly to explore various art forms like poetry, painting, singing, and sculpting. A highlight was rediscovering my love for embroidery, which brought back childhood memories.
February was intense with career fair preparations for summer internships, a requirement for my major. Despite the stress of perfecting portfolios and resumes, I enjoyed meeting industry professionals and presenting myself as a candidate. It was my first career fair, something I had only seen in movies, and it felt surreal and truly enriching.
In conclusion, February was exciting, filled with learning, studying, and socializing.
April 2024
April was eventful and interesting. I celebrated Eid-Al-Fitr with a friend, wearing traditional clothes to campus and explaining the festivity to classmates. We enjoyed a day of Moroccan food and celebration.
A highlight was attending the “2024 Seattle Fulbright Enrichment Seminar: A Sustainable Path Forward” from April 18 to 21. I joined discussions on sustainability, conservation, and community engagement with passionate minds in Seattle. The “Building a Sustainable City” panel was enlightening, showcasing Seattle’s eco-friendly initiatives and community involvement.
Visiting the Bullitt Center demonstrated sustainable architecture in action, featuring rainwater harvesting and green roofs. Volunteering with the DNDA emphasized the importance of hands-on conservation.
Connecting with peers from 71 countries enriched my understanding of global sustainability challenges and opportunities. This experience inspired me to apply the knowledge gained to drive positive change in my country and beyond.
May 2024
May was a month of boldness and exhilarating new trials, brimming with unforgettable memories and incredible friendships.
The month began with a joyous graduation ceremony where celebrating the happiness of others was a truly uplifting experience. I also threw a Moroccan-themed birthday party for a friend, which was super fun and amazingly wholesome.
The pinnacle of May was a thrilling trip to Laguna Beach, Florida, with the RUF organization. This one-week adventure was packed with engaging group discussions and morning Bible studies, bringing together people of different nationalities to share diverse thoughts and backgrounds. The afternoons were a whirlwind of excitement with outdoor activities like volleyball, basketball, pickleball, and soccer. Participating in tournaments made the atmosphere even more fun and challenging.
One of the most exhilarating experiences was paddleboarding on the beach. Despite my fears, a friend’s encouragement led me to embrace this new adventure. To my surprise, I loved it and felt a rush of accomplishment paddling back to shore.
Karaoke was another long-awaited activity I finally tried. Singing with friends, free from worry about our voices or performances, was liberating and incredibly fun. The international dance party, with music from Iran, Nigeria, Spain, Egypt, the United States, and India, was a vibrant celebration of diverse cultures and musical tastes.
Nightly board games and Werewolf/Mafia sessions were hysterical and added to the laughter-filled days.
The unexpected highlight was reuniting with Fulbright friends from Egypt and Lebanon. Sharing these amazing moments with them made the trip even more special.
May was a true blessing, filled with moments of joy, adventure, and heartfelt connections. I am deeply grateful for every single memory made.
June 2024
In June, I embarked on an enriching internship at SWA in Houston, a pivotal component of my MLA degree program. As part of the SWA 2024 Summer Student Program, our mission was to enhance Houston’s walkability and livability, particularly in the face of challenging summer heat.
The month began with immersive field trips across Houston, where we visited iconic landmarks, explored natural parks, and traversed the city’s bayous. These experiences provided crucial insights into the city’s history and urban design. We also engaged with local residents through interviews, gathering valuable perspectives on community needs and challenges.
Our initial focus was on compiling extensive data and creating detailed analysis maps, diagrams, and photo collages to document our findings. This groundwork needed to inform our upcoming design phase in July, where we will develop strategies aimed at revitalizing Downtown Houston. Our ultimate goal is to present actionable plans to city stakeholders and business leaders, aiming to influence future urban developments positively.
Beyond work, weekends were a refreshing blend of leisure and exploration with friends from Texas A&M. We enjoyed visiting Houston’s Museum of Illusions, catching the latest movie, Inside Out 2, and indulging in the diverse flavors of Chinatown.
June proved to be a month of profound learning, collaborative effort, and memorable experiences that will undoubtedly shape my career in landscape architecture.
Wafa is a Fulbright Student from Morocco. She is studying landscape architecture at Texas A&M University.
