My Fulbright Experience: Sometimes it has to Rain
When I landed in Florida to begin my Fulbright Program, it was not my first time in the United States. I had been to the United States before with my family, so I knew there was much to see and learn. But this time was different; I was alone, and I was here with a purpose. The feeling is exhilarating- being in the United States, supported by such a great program, with the assigned task of representing my country, all while furthering my education. I’m glad that I got to study in Florida at Florida State University because the state alone is about twice as large as my home country, the United Arab Emirates. I didn’t even know where to start. I thought the first connections I made would be with classmates. But they began even sooner than my first day of class. Everyone I encountered became a part of the experience- my neighbors, business owners, the employees at the grocery store, and of course, my professors and fellow students.
I experienced many “firsts” during my two-year Fulbright Program. From Art Basel in Miami to the Superbowl in Tampa, my Florida adventure varied drastically across the state. The new opportunities and experiences were never-ending. Yet, the biggest, and most impactful part of my time abroad could arguably have been living in such a different geographical area. Coming from a country whose weather is as predictable as the sun rising (and oh, how intensely it does), it was extraordinary living in a place where it can be simultaneously raining in the front of my apartment with clear blue skies in the back. In my country, rain is a blessing. In Florida, it can come so often and aggressively. It’s almost a nuisance. Almost.
For me, it really strengthened my adaptability. As a person who likes to plan for everything, I began to accept that it is sometimes just not possible in Florida. The unexpected is the only thing you can really expect. I was rained on frequently. I had to evacuate the city because of a hurricane. I received some kind of weather warning from Florida State every other week, but it felt a small price to pay for the beauty that accompanies the storms.
I spent time seeing charming parks in Tallahassee. Some I could have visited regularly for the whole two years; they were so beautiful. Many people I met at University had roots in the south, so the recommendations on places I should check out were offered constantly. Because of its centrality in the southeast United States, Tallahassee is easily accessible by many different unique cities and states.
When time allowed, I took my friends’ advice on places to visit. The amount of green space and natural bodies of water never disappointed. Coming from a relatively young country, the historical relevance of the sites I saw enhanced their value even further. One of my trips involved an estate that had been around twice as long as the development of my home country.
Every trip I made was a blessing. The spectacular views and lessons learned I will carry with me for a lifetime. An important aspect of these adventures was how I ended up at each location. A connection to a place is strengthened through story and human experience. The friends I made in Tallahassee were often the people that recommended and led me to the locations I visited. Their personal stories and the ones I made with them broadened my appreciation for the landscapes and made the experiences more authentic and memorable. Now, I will always have these views to remember, and the relationships that resulted through a shared connection of space.
The most distinctive part of my journey came from the nature and individuality of the people. In my country, the values and culture are unified across the emirates. In the United States, it is hard to identify any consistency in the culture at all. This is the biggest difference between back home and the United States, the lack of uniformity. But that is not necessarily a limitation in character. It really makes every American special because they are each so wholly unique in design. Even in a small Florida city like Tallahassee, the range of personality is immeasurable. These differences are what I came to look forward to when venturing out of my apartment every day. It was amazing hearing about the unique stories that come together in this tiny college town. Although I come from a large international city, I may have learned more about the human experience during my short two years in Tallahassee.
Now that it’s over, I have reflected on whether I made as much of an impact on Tallahassee as it did on me. I shared many experiences and developed friendships with people in places so different from where I come from. I did my best to show my new friends Arab hospitality, and to use my life experience to mentor and motivate the people who have now become a permanent part of my life. The exchange of stories, information, and experiences helped create relationships that would have never been possible (or even thought of) without the Fulbright Program.
What started out as a journey alone in the United States, turned into another visit with my new Fulbright family. The relationships I developed I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I am left with amazing memories and the hope that I was able to influence the lives of many generations of people that live on the other side of the globe.
Omar is a recent Fulbright graduate from the United Arab Emirates. He received his master’s in International Studies from Florida State University.
