From Morocco to the Bay: A Fulbrighter’s Journey of Connection and Community
As an incoming Fulbrighter, I had the honor of attending a Pre-Academic Program and its exciting closing ceremony. The atmosphere was filled with excitement and gratitude as each Fulbrighter took the stage to deliver heartfelt speeches. It was a moment of reflection and appreciation, where we expressed our gratitude to the organizers and shared our personal journeys throughout the program. The room was brimming with pride and accomplishment, as we celebrated the successful completion of an extraordinary chapter in our lives.
I also particularly enjoyed a hiking trip to Crowders Mountain during a break from the academic part of the “Pre-Ac”. This adventure was not only an opportunity to connect with nature but also a chance to forge new friendships. Along the trail, we encountered fellow international students from UNC-Charlotte, creating a vibrant tapestry of cultures and backgrounds. The mesmerizing views from the mountaintop served as a reminder of the heights we can reach when we come together, support one another, and embrace the beauty of diversity.
Not long after I settled at my host university, UC Davis, for my Fulbright Program and my research, I joined the Community Friends Association where we organized a welcome brunch for international students. As one of the association’s volunteers, I helped plan a menu of dishes from around the world and facilitated icebreakers to help students from over 12 countries get to know each other. It was rewarding to see everyone bonding over shared experiences of adjusting to life in the United States while also learning about each other’s diverse cultures.
Fulbrighters in the Bay Area often meet when they live in close proximity to each other. In fact, during the month of September, I experienced a particularly joyous and enriching gathering. It was a remarkable meeting that brought together Fulbright Students and Scholars from UC Davis, UC Berkeley, UC Merced, UC San Francisco, and Stanford University.
The event served as a powerful platform for cultural exchange, fostering connections, and inspiring change. As we gathered, we witnessed firsthand the incredible diversity of perspectives, knowledge, and experiences that each scholar brought to the table. The conversations sparked were filled with intellectual curiosity and a genuine eagerness to learn from one another.
Not only did we have the opportunity to share about our daily lives, but we also engaged in meaningful discussions, shared insights from our respective fields of study, and explored avenues for collaboration. The networking aspect of the gathering was particularly valuable, as it allowed us to form connections that will undoubtedly shape our Fulbright journey and beyond.
This blog was written at the start of Ali’s program in 2023.
Ali is a 2023 Fulbright Student from Morocco. He conducted non-degree research in environmental science at the University of California — Davis.
