Journeys of Transformation: Discovering the World and Myself Through Fulbright
At 40, Franz Kafka (1883–1924), one of my favorite writers, who never married and had no children, walked through the park in Berlin when he met a girl who was crying because she had lost her favorite doll. She and Kafka searched for the doll unsuccessfully. Kafka told her to meet him there the next day and they would come back to look for her.
The next day, when they had not yet found the doll, Kafka gave the girl a letter “written” by the doll saying “please don’t cry. I took a trip to see the world. I will write to you about my adventures.”
Thus began a story which continued until the end of Kafka’s life.
During their meetings, Kafka read the letters of the doll carefully written with adventures and conversations that the girl found adorable.
Finally, Kafka brought back the doll (he bought one) that had returned. “It doesn’t look like my doll at all!” said the girl.
Kafka handed her another letter in which the doll wrote: “my travels have changed me.” the little girl hugged the new doll and brought her happy home.
A year later Kafka died. Many years later, the now-adult girl found a letter inside the doll. In the tiny letter signed by Kafka it was written:
“Everything you love will probably be lost, but in the end, love will return in another way.”
And today, I am here to talk about how traveling changed me…
Much like Kafka’s doll, which embarked on an unseen journey only to return transformed, my Fulbright journey across the United States has reshaped me in ways I could never have anticipated. Spanning over a year and half, and covering 13 states, my journey wasn’t just about the places I visited but the people I met — a global
community of Fulbrighters, each carrying their own stories and cultures, yet connected by a shared sense of curiosity and discovery.
In Denver, a Fulbrighter from Tunisia opened her home to me, offering warmth and hospitality far from my own home. Her stories, rich with the history and culture of Tunisia, were my first lessons in the incredible diversity that the Fulbright community embodies as we come from the same country, yet our experiences are different. Philadelphia brought more surprises, where another generous Fulbrighter from Tunisia hosted me, and I had the pleasure of meeting scholars from Germany and Egypt. Each encounter was a thread in the intricate tapestry of cultures that the Fulbright program weaves together.
New York City, the melting pot of the world, lived up to its reputation when I found myself among seven Fulbrighters, each from a different country. Our discussions,
ranging from politics to cuisine, were a testament to the power of cultural exchange that Fulbright champions.
In Boston, a Fulbrighter from South Korea hosted me, introducing me to the nuances of Korean culture and the similarities and differences between our experiences. She treated me to a Korean Barbecue, and to whoever is reading this, if you don’t try a Korean Barbecue, you don’t know what you are missing.
In Chicago, a scholar from the Netherlands shared insights into Dutch society, further expanding my understanding of the world.
With each state I visited and each Fulbrighter I met, I learned that while our cultures may define our backgrounds, our dreams and aspirations are strikingly similar. The
Fulbright community, with its unwavering support and boundless kindness, taught me the true value of empathy and understanding. Like Kafka’s doll, I too was changed by my travels, not just in how I see the world, but in how I see myself and others.
The Fulbright Program has given me more than just an academic opportunity; it has given me a family that spans the globe. A family that celebrates diversity and fosters understanding. A family that proves, time and again, that despite our differences, we are united in our humanity.
Kafka’s story concludes with a poignant message about loss and love, transformation and return. My Fulbright journey mirrors this narrative, teaching me that while we may leave parts of ourselves in the places we visit and with the people we meet, we gain so much more in return. We are transformed, not just by our experiences, but by the love and knowledge we share along the way.
As I look forward to the future, I carry with me the lessons learned and the friendships forged. The world is vast, filled with stories waiting to be told and connections waiting to be made. And just like Kafka’s doll, I am eager to see where my next adventure leads me.
To those reading this, I encourage you to embark on your own journey of discovery, to embrace the unknown, and to find your own global family. The Fulbright community is a testament to what we can achieve when we open our hearts and minds to the world.
And so, the journey continues…
Nourchene is a 2022 Fulbright Student from Tunisia. She is studying Computer Science at Virginia Commonwealth University.
