A Year in the Fulbright Life: Yara’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

My last days in Lebanon were spent in my favorite places with my favorite people. Picnics in public parks, midnight walks by the Beirut Waterfront, and LOTS of Lebanese food. Saying goodbye was hard, but it was made smoother by the fact that most of my friends are also transitioning into new stages of their lives. We each went our own ways, promising each other to remember why we’re doing this next step and how significant our relationships were in the previous one, with the hopes of staying in touch.

Traveling to the United States was a long yet fun trip as I was heading to a Gateway orientation at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)with 4 fellow Lebanese Fulbrighters. We grew closer in the week we spent together in Rochester, and we still provide each other with support and advice while each one of us now adjusts to our new life in different states. No one else can better understand what I’m going through and help me take it all in. I also met some brilliant people from the most diverse cultural and academic backgrounds at the orientation. It inspires me to see such dedicated youth striving to make a little difference, in ways I never thought possible. I was introduced to new fields, like humor in politics, new music from Trinidad and Tobago, and so much more.

The Gateway activities themselves were also enriching. We visited the Niagara Falls, a superb sight, and visited one of the weirdest and coolest museums one could ever imagine: Artisan works. It has everything and anything crammed everywhere with stranger and cooler items on any tiny spot you could land your eyes on; quite an overwhelming experience — a good introduction to what New York City (NYC) would be like!

Once I moved to the city, I was directly struck by its constant hustle and busy streets. But I was even more amazed to find nice quiet streets and chill parks. Of course, like the true New Yorker that I became, I first did the essentials: Times Square, Central Park, and getting lost on the subway. I also went to an outdoor movie at a park and a rooftop bar, two very different experiences that capture the diversity of the New York life!

August 2019

One Saturday, I went on a hike on Breakneck Ridge trail in Upstate New York with the Fulbright Alumni Association in New York. The path was tough and challenging, but the view at the top and the friendships I built along the way were totally worth the trouble. I like to think that it is representative of what my Fulbright journey is going to be like in the next two years.

I have formed close bonds with international students from across the world, Argentina, Korea, Italy, Pakistan, and many more places. Together we decided to overcome homesickness and Sunday blues by starting a new group tradition. Every weekend, we will explore a new museum in New York City. On August 25, we visited the Met museum and were fascinated by the temporary exhibition: Apollo, Camp, and the rooftop ParaPivot. We all agreed to keep coming back to the Met to discover all the exhibitions the museum has to offer.

For 2 weeks, I attended an intensive orientation at the Graduate School of Journalism in CUNY. It allowed me to get to know my classmates, and faculty and staff at my school. It was sure overwhelming and intimidating at first, but everyone here were of a great support and help to cope well with the transition. I’m happy to be in a challenging yet inspiring environment with people from all ages and backgrounds.

September 2019

I found Arab grocery stores owned by Syrian and Yemeni immigrants. They have all my favorite items from back home so I can make Lebanese dishes at home.

I started attending contemporary dance classes in Manhattan and yoga classes in Brooklyn. They feel so liberating and energizing. I also made many new friends there who share my passion for dance.

I also attended a marathon that raises funds for Alzheimer’s research. I reported for a radio story about the event. The speeches and comments from participants truly made me tear up. The cause is one that I particularly care about because my maternal grandmother suffers from Alzheimer’s and doesn’t recognize me anymore. This story goes to all families in similar situations, with the hope to find preventions and cures.

October 2019

Bing away from my friends and family can be difficult. Luckily, there is a large community of Lebanese in New York City. They have become my Lebanese family in New York and a home away from home. We’ve organized events to support one another during difficult times, and spending time with them has been one of the most emotional, fulfilling, and engaging experiences I’ve had. Many of my American and international friends joined me and stood with me when I needed them.

I also got my first story officially published in the Brooklyn Reade, a digital daily news source reporting the art, culture, business, and lifestyle of Brooklyn. It’s about a health center giving out fruit and dental screenings for Halloween.

November 2019

This month, I visited a friend in Boston for the weekend. She showed me around her neighborhood, and we visited the MIT and Harvard campuses. We went on walks by the river and prepared a Friendsgiving dinner together. The weather was freezing but it was a nice and cozy time and a much-needed break from the city.

Two friends also visited me for Thanksgiving weekend. We had a fun time exploring weird and quirky places in New York.

I also found my new favorite bookstore, coffee shop, and study spot, all in one place: Housing Works.

December 2019

The end of the semester was a very exciting time. I have learned and grown beyond anything I could have imagined. On the last day of classes, my video class broadcasted our news stories that we worked on throughout the semester. Being in the studio was super fun!

Our school also had an end of the year part where everyone dressed up and danced all night.

I went to Florida to visit my aunt and her family for Christmas. The warm sun and the beach felt so good after New York’s freezing weather. We visited Disney World and lots of Christmas lights shows.

January 2020

I came back to New York City after my holiday break in Florida. My trip made me realize how in love I am with the city. I went to my favorite parks, got my favorite New York bagels and pizza, and saw all my friends again.

I took part in a workshop series at my school. I had the chance to meet new faculty and students and I learned a lot about journalism fields I had not yet explored like photography. My friends and I also decided to use our free time to report on protests about current events in the Middle East that took place in New York City.

Finally, when we went back to class after winter break, I got the opportunity to participate in the first documentary filmmaking program offered at my school. I am now one of 13 lucky students working with incredible faculty on making our own short documentaries. You can say we’re the journalism school’s cool kids now!

February 2020

I visited International Robotics Inc. in Stamford, CT, a robotics company for one of my classes. I met their Vice President, Jason Doornick, and his assistant Gemo the robot. Gemo sang and danced to Bruno Mars’ “Count on me.” Absolutely adorable! Gemo’s grandfather starred in Rocky IV.

I posed for two photographer friends with art displayed at MoMA. A museum visitor enjoyed our project and started photographing me as well. It was an interesting and fun way to interact with the exhibitions at the museum.

I also decorated my bedroom wall with a collection of artwork and postcards I’ve collected over my time in the United States. It finally feels more like home.

March 2020

My friends made me a birthday surprise! They brought birthday hats and a cake to school and embarrassed me in front of everyone. I have been growing more and more fond of them over the months, and I am truly grateful for their continuous support and love.

After eating cake and ice cream, we went to Guitar Center and jammed. Then, we went for tacos at my favorite spot in Hell’s Kitchen.

Due to COVID-19, all my classes switched to virtual learning in mid-March. My professors were very thoughtful about the transition and changed our syllabi to adapt to the new reality. On my last weekend before the lockdown, I went to Central Park with two friends. It was the most beautiful day of the year so I breathed in all the fresh air I could.

April 2020

I have finally adapted to the new virtual reality. I only go out for grocery shopping or an occasional walk around the neighborhood. My roommate left the apartment, so I am living alone. Isolation is difficult, but it is important to adhere to social distancing measures. I live on Zoom now for most of my day. I even had a Zoom photoshoot with a friend in Italy!

I celebrated Easter with my family over the phone. We still enjoyed our Lebanese traditions such as a boiled egg fight. A total fail, but it was fun!

I participated in a virtual Fulbright meet and greet with Lebanese alumni, current students, and future applicants. I am grateful to be part of this family, and I believe our collective efforts will make our country and the world a better place.

May 2020

May marked the end of my second semester at the Newmark School of Journalism. My classmates and I missed our end of semester celebration, but we did have a Zoom class photo with our pets!

I started a remote production internship with RadicalMedia. Throughout the summer, I will be working on PBS American Portrait, a national storytelling platform that invites people to share their stories. Each month, I will contact people and guide them through their submissions. I will also have the chance to edit social media reels based on different themes. The tasks sounded intimidating at first, but it has been an incredible learning experience. In these times more than ever, the American people from all backgrounds are eager to share what brings them together and what makes them unique. Finding and exploring these fascinating stories has been inspiring. The best part is that I also got to share my own stories.

I met a friend and we went to Coney Island in Brooklyn. The popular summer weekend destination looked like an apocalyptic amusement park straight out of a horror movie, but that did not prevent us from enjoying a socially distanced walk along the beach and the boardwalk.

Since I have been spending a lot of time in my room, I started taking small steps to cheer myself up. I bought myself gorgeous purple tulips and it definitely refreshed the atmosphere.

Yara is a first-year Fulbright student from Lebanon. She is studying Journalism at City University of New York.

Follow updates from Yara 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 Yara does this year!