Winter 2004 Edition

FOCUS The Alumni Newsletter of the AMIDEAST Fulbright Foreign Student Program

The U.S. State Department and AMIDEAST Recognize the Centenary of the Birth Apply Now! of J. William Fulbright Applications are now being “Fulbright is responsible for the greatest movement of scholars across accepted for the second round of the face of the earth since the fall of Constantinople in 1453.” the Academic Year 2004/2005 Ronald McCallum, 1963 Alumni Development Grant Competition. At the centenary of Senator J. William Fulbright’s birth, to be The United States Department of celebrated April 9, 2005, his vision State will award grants of up to $2,500 each for Fulbright alumni to for America and its place in the attend a professional conference global community is as relevant as or seminar, complete a short-term it was during his term in the U.S. training program, conduct a Senate (1945-1974). Called to collaborative research project or action by the world events that participate in a professional visit with colleagues in their field. defined the past half-century and the heyday of his career, namely Eligibility Requirements the destruction resulting from World War II and the hostilities of Applicants must be alumni of the Fulbright Foreign Student Program the Cold War, Fulbright sought has provided over 265,000 from one of the following areas: “to bring a little more knowledge, grantees across a range of , Gaza, , , a little more reason and a little , Syria, , the West professional fields, levels, and more compassion into world Bank, Oman, Bahrain or . nationalities the opportunity to affairs.” Senator Fulbright Applicants must have fulfilled their study in the U.S. and abroad. J-1 visa two-year home residency encouraged dialogue, diplomacy, requirement. Proposed grant and cross-cultural learning over activity must occur between April Senator Fulbright passed away what he perceived as a tendency 1, 2005 and September 30, 2005. on February 9, 1995 at the age of toward dominance and war. 89 at his Washington, DC home. Application Process The U.S. State Department and The Fulbright Program developed AMIDEAST look forward to Applications received on or before out of these goals, passing February 11, 2005 will be reviewed honoring the centenary of through the U.S. Senate without by representatives of the United . States Department of State and debate in 1946. “I have thought Senator Fulbright’s birth AMIDEAST. For a list of grant of everything I can think of,” guidelines, eligibility requirements stated Senator Fulbright, “and the in this issue... and to apply, please visit: one thing that gives me some https://www.amideast.org/ hope is the ethos that underlies programs_services/ Powell Hosts Iftar 2 exchange_programs/fulbright/ the educational exchange grants/guidelines.htm. program. It’s possible…that Finding Meaningful Employment 3 people can find in themselves, AMIDEAST Field Office Updates 4 You are encouraged to submit your through intercultural education, application electronically via our the ways and means of living Alumni News & Notes 6 online application. If you have any questions, or would like to request together in peace.” Since its Update on YES and PLUS 10 a paper application, please contact founding, the Fulbright Program Mara Kronenfeld at: Winter 2004 Alumni Profile 11 [email protected]. Fulbright Focus

GUESTS FROM ACROSS THE MUSLIM WORLD ATTEND THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF NOVEMBER IFTAR HOSTED BY STATE AND AMIDEAST THEN-SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN POWELL AWARD OVER $12,000 TO SIX FULBRIGHT ALUMNI Last fall, then-Secretary of State President’s commitment to work Colin Powell welcomed Muslim toward peace in the Middle East. students, professionals, clerics and diplomats from across the Muslim The former Secretary spoke of U.S. Last November, in an effort to support the world to an Iftar celebration at the efforts to support and encourage professional development of Fulbright State Department. He said that people within the Muslim world who alumni from the Middle East and North America strives to embrace are working to realize greater freedom Africa (MENA) region, the Bureau of Ramadan’s spirit of hospitality and and democracy. “We believe that Educational and Cultural Affairs of the concern for others. reform will ultimately be successful U.S. Department of State and AMIDEAST because freedom and democracy are announced six new recipients of the “As the Iftar welcomes all in a spirit powerful universal values, not just Fulbright Alumni Development Grant. of brotherhood, so America has been Western or American values,” he said. open to all, welcoming to all — as we Daisy Attieh (University of North Texas, can see in the diverse and thriving Non-degree student/Psychology, 2001- Muslim community in America 2002) attended the 21st Annual today,” Powell told his guests. Association for Play Therapy International Conference in Colorado last Powell noted that new security October. Daisy teaches art therapy measures have inconvenienced classes to nurses at the Institut many people wishing to travel to the Universitaire de la Sainte Famille in United States but said, “I want to Lebanon, showing them how to plan assure all of you here this evening projects and games to help hospitalized and all who may watch this or hear patients—especially children—maintain these words, that we’re doing contact with the outside world, keep their everything we can to make sure that bodies active and their minds alert. In we strike the right balance between addition to sharing her newly expanded our security and our openness.” Powell mentioned several programs knowledge of play therapy with her related to the Group of Eight’s (G8’s) colleagues, she plans to incorporate newly established Forum for the findings from the conference into her Future and the State Department’s research toward an MA at the Lebanese Middle East Partnership Initiative, University in Beirut. which open academic and professional training opportunities to people from This March, Maysoon Al-Nahar (Arizona numerous Muslim countries. The G8 State University, PhD/Archaeology, 1995- includes Canada, France, Germany, 1997) will travel to Arizona to take part in Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the a collaborative research project involving United States and Russia. scientists from the U.S., Spain and Jordan. The project, funded by a grant “Many unkind, and untrue, things are from the National Science Foundation, said about the United States in the will undertake a five-year study on the Powell spoke of the United States’ Muslim world by some people. But I long-term consequences of human land many efforts to play a positive and think the facts speak for themselves,” use on Mediterranean landscapes. helpful role in the Muslim world. He Powell said. “The truth is that America Maysoon will be responsible for mentioned the U.S. military’s wishes all people well.” fieldwork in Jordan, where she is a engagement to protect and assist professor at the University of Amman. Muslim populations in Africa, the He added, “America will be with those The project, which spans the Balkans and the Middle East and to in need around the world, regardless of Mediterranean and covers over 6,000 remove tyrannical regimes in race or religion.” [This article has been years of history, will eventually help Afghanistan and . excerpted from the U.S. State communities make more responsible and Department website. For full text visit: effective decisions about land use today. He also recalled President Bush’s http://usinfo.state.gov/sa/Archive/ support for an independent state of 2004/Nov/05-157967.html] Palestine and reaffirmed the continued on PAGE 10

2 Winter 2004 Edition

Finding Meaningful Employment After the Can you provide recommendations Fulbright: Tips from Tunisian Alumnus Jamel Jemni to other Fulbright alumni on how to secure rewarding employment in the field of TESOL after completing their Fulbright grants? Mr. Jamel Jemni, a Fulbright alumnus from being we are teaching English, French, Tunisia, recently completed non-degree German and Italian. I think that depending on everyone’s research in the field of American Studies at goals and objectives in their lives, the the University of South Florida (USF). Why do you think your language Fulbright grant is a school in itself, Upon his return to Tunisia, he and his wife center will be different from other and I am sure that other alumni could founded the Wanderlust International language centers in Tunisia? come up with their own ideas about Language Center (WILC) in Sfax, Tunisia. how to find rewarding employment In a recent email interview, we asked Jamel WILC is the first language center that fits their particular interests and about the center and if he had any advice for established by a Tunisian in the goals. Teaching and translation are recent Fulbrighters looking for rewarding history of Tunisia. In addition, it is fields that may attract Fulbright employment in their respective home different from other language centers alumni, because they know that in countries. in its design, the services it offers and our global community if someone the varied objectives it aims to does not master language and is not What is your current occupation and achieve. For example, although our good at translation, he or she will not how does it relate to the research you core area of activity is teaching be able to succeed in a world that is completed under the auspices of your languages, WILC also provides the becoming increasingly Fulbright grant? following services: interconnected. I also recommend -Organization of linguistic and that Fulbrighters establish I am currently an Assistant Language cultural programs, conferences and partnerships with American Instructor at the Higher Institute of seminars to exchange linguistic, institutions and individuals while Languages in Gabes, Tunisia. I am scientific and cultural knowledge they are on their grants — that’s very still finalizing my PhD dissertation on -Assistance in university registration important. I have already established racial politics in America after having for Tunisians interested in studying the bases of future mutual exchange gathered all the data I need while abroad programs with colleagues at USF and completing my Fulbright year at USF. -Home-stay programs for Tunisians with other American friends with abroad and for foreign students here whom I share similar ideas and goals. in Tunisia When did you and your wife first -Preparation for standardized tests come up with the idea to start an such as TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, IELTS, Any other information you want to international language center? etc. add?

We came up with this idea four or What the center aims for in the long five years ago. Before we established run is to bridge barriers (linguistic, the language center, we organized cultural, psychological) between home-stay programs for teenagers Tunisians and those outside of Tunisia (aged 14 to 18) from Denmark, and to establish a better Hungary, Spain, Russia and Italy understanding between peoples the during summer vacations. After our world over. We already saw the successful programs with teenagers, benefits of exposing teenagers to new we were able to convince all of the cultures in the past five years people we know of the necessity of through our home-stay programs, founding a center like WILC. and we believe that it was not only a Eventually, we saved enough money worthwhile investment, but the ideal to finance the project. way to contribute to international understanding. Younger generations What languages are taught at your represent a genuine source of hope for institution? Wanderlust International Language Center our desperate world. I find investment in this field very Our center offers the possibility for rewarding. motivated learners to study any language they want. For the time

3 Fulbright Focus

AMIDEAST Field Office/US Embassy Updates

Egypt Advisor Rasha Rayes and AMIDEAST governing board of the MFAA for the Julie Gelsinger, Fulbright Program English Language Coordinator Steve coming year. Finally, alumni shared Officer (AMIDEAST/HQ), met with the Hanchey. ideas about activities they would like Fulbright Commission and to participate in as an association. AMIDEAST field office staff in Cairo Morocco Ideas mentioned included mentoring this past December. While there, new Fulbright nominees; setting up Julie, AMIDEAST staff, and the In September, Mara Kronenfeld led a volunteer activities for Commission coordinated on the new post-nomination/placement disadvantaged Moroccans; hosting organization of the Egypt Fulbright orientation in Rabat with Fouzia El social functions and networking Program; AMIDEAST will now play a Azhari, Educational Advisor parties; and setting up joint, more direct role in the administration (AMIDEAST/Morocco). Seven of the interdisciplinary projects with one of the Egypt program, including eight nominees were able to attend another to help serve their country. conducting nominee placement. This the orientation. year, the Fulbright Student Program The conference was an unqualified has signficantly increased the success! We are hoping the work of number of nominees (18 total), so we the MFAA will inspire Fulbrighters in hope to increase the number of actual other countries to establish Alumni grantees as well. Associations of their own.

Syria Tunisia

Kate DeBoer, Fulbright Program Mara Kronenfeld led a post- Coordinator (AMIDEAST/HQ), and nomination orientation for ten Mara Kronenfeld, Fulbright Program Tunisian Fulbright nominees last September.

Moroccan Fulbright Alumni

While in Rabat, Mara attended the first general conference of the Moroccan Fulbright Alumni Association (MFAA). Attendees included some 150 Moroccan Fulbright alumni as well as honored guests Mohammed Boutaleb, Moroccan Minister of Energy and Mines, Dr. Wail Benjelloun, President Syrian Fulbright Nominees of MACECE (Moroccan-American Commission for Educational and Officer, met with eight new Syrian Cultural Exchange), and Thomas T. Fulbright nominees at the Damascus Riley, U.S. Ambassador to Morocco. field office of AMIDEAST and In addition to listening to a keynote answered their questions about the address entitled “The Imperative for Tunisian Fulbright Alumni placement process. They had lunch Curriculum Development in an together at the Orient House with Uncertain Age” and participating in a Mara also met with over twenty AMIDEAST/Syria Country Director panel discussion on sustainable Tunisian Fulbright alumni. They Barbara Al-Nouri, Educational development, alumni elected the new discussed ways for the alumni to “extend their Fulbright experience”

4 Winter 2004 Edition

by sharing what they learned on their Fulbright nominees—the greatest New Faces at grants with friends, family and number of Lebanese Fulbright AMIDEAST/HQ colleagues in Tunisia, as well as other nominees to date. The nominees come members of their communities. The from various regions in Lebanon alumni are interested in establishing (from Sidon to Beit Chebab to Beirut) a Tunisian Fulbright Alumni and have very diverse interests: Association and will determine what landscape architecture, drama Since our Summer 2004 administrative steps need to be taken therapy, public health education and newsletter, we have added two to accomplish this. computer science, to name a few. new faces to the Fulbright staff at AMIDEAST. Yemen West Bank/Gaza Julie Fitzgerald and In December, Sarah Belanger, There are 14 nominees from the West Malika de Silva recently started Fulbright Program Officer Bank this year and ten from Gaza — their new positions as Program (AMIDEAST/HQ), met with some of our largest numbers yet! The Assistants. AMIDEAST/Sana’a staff and led a pre- nominees will study in a variety of departure presentation for the 2005 fields including public health, Julie joined the Fulbright staff in Fulbright nominees slated to begin engineering, literature, and finance. October 2004. She assists their academic programs in January. Program Officer Sarah Belanger There were six grantees total – five for POST UPDATES with the placement and the spring and one who was delayed supervision of grantees from from last fall. Bahrain Jordan, Bahrain, Oman and Yemen. Prior to joining the staff, Najeeb Al Sharafi (AMIDEAST/Sana’a) The Fulbright Program in Bahrain Julie received a B.A. in Political gave Sarah a tour of Yemen, including continues to expand with 14 new Science from Stanford University the souk, Old Sana’a, the Imam’s nominees this year. These very and spent a summer studying Palace and Kawkaban. The qualified applicants will pursue Arabic at Yarmouk University in AMIDEAST/Sana’a office hosted a higher education degrees in fields Jordan. party that included a women’s qat such as business administration, chew and a Fulbright cake. international law, film and Malika recently joined information technology. AMIDEAST and helps Program Officer Mara Kronenfeld with the We would like to welcome Ms. Samar placement and supervision of Hasan to the Fulbright Program. She grantees from Lebanon, Morocco joined the U.S. Embassy in Manama and Tunisia, as well as the as the Educational Advisor in development of Fulbright alumni January and will be responsible for projects. She comes to the coordinating the program with Fulbright team at AMIDEAST AMIDEAST. after internships at the Academy for Educational Development and Oman Internews Network. She also spent a semester at the American This year, 20 nominees were selected University in Cairo studying from Oman -- the largest group to Middle Eastern politics and date. These nominees, including six literature. Malika recently Najeeb Al Sharfi admires a view of Sana’a PhD candidates, will be placed in received her B.A. in International graduate programs for Public Policy, Relations from Duke University. Lebanon Molecular Pharmacology, Economics, Information Technology and Nursing. Luckily, we do not need to say Mara Kronenfeld and Hala Kaadi, goodbye to former Program Coordinator for Educational and Assistant Hadi Annous. He has Scholarship Programs (AMIDEAST/ been promoted to the position of Beirut), conducted a post-nomination/ Program Officer for the placement orientation for 12 Lebanese Administration of Justice Support Project in Egypt.

5 Fulbright Focus alumni news & notes

JORDAN

Sima MANGO (2001-2004) Sima extended her Fulbright Bassil EL-MASRI (2002-2003) Bassil was a non-degree grant for an additional six months after being accepted as Fulbright student at Ball State University; he has since a UN-Fulbright Fellow. She had previously studied at the gone on to pursue an MA in Geography at the same University of Akron-Ohio, earning her MBA in institution. He is also currently a Research Assistant in International Business. With the help of other the Department of Geography where he studies Fulbrighters, Sima is working to establish the Jordanian environmental issues using both remote sensing tools and Fulbright Alumni Association. Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Issa SASA (1992-1995) Issa received his Pediatric Dentistry Makram GEHA (2002-2003) After completing his year as a Certificate and MS while a Fulbright student at the non-degree scholar at the University of Nebraska in late University of Iowa. Since graduation, Issa has been spring 2003, Makram returned to Lebanon where he appointed Head of the Pediatric Dentistry Department at served his tour of duty in the Lebanese Army as a Tawam Hospital in Al-Ain, , the Lieutenant at the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture. largest tertiary care hospital in the UAE. Makram now works as the Manager and National Coordinator of chicken sales for Zartech Limited, a large Shada WADI-RAMAHI (1998-2000) After completing her poultry company in Nigeria. PhD in 2003 in the field of Medical Physics, Shada returned to Jordan where she has been working as a Youssef HADDAD (2000-2001) Youssef spent his Fulbright Medical Physicist in the Radiation Oncology Department year as a non-degree student in the Department of at the King Hussein Cancer Center. Shada attended Rush Education (Curriculum and Instruction) at the University University Medical Center in Chicago where she received of Texas at Austin. Currently, Youssef is pursuing a PhD in several honors, including the Excellence in Research Linguistics at the University of Florida in Gainesville. Award from the Graduate College in 2003 and a Certificate of Recognition for Scientific Achievements; she MOROCCO also took first place in the Young Investigator’s competition for the American Association of Physicists in Layla BARRIT (2000-2001) Layla spent her time as a Medicine (AAPM) in 2001. Finally, she has published Fulbright grantee at Case Western Reserve where she articles in the Medical Physics Journal and has published earned an MS in Computer Science. She now works as a several research abstracts for the annual AAPM meetings. Software Project Manager at Hightech Payment Systems in Casablanca. LEBANON Houria EL FIGUIGUI (1996-1998) Houria is currently a Pauline AAD (2000-2001) As a Fulbright grantee (non- PhD candidate in Information Science and Technology in degree), Pauline conducted research at Oklahoma State the School of Information Studies at Syracuse University. University (OSU) in Reproductive Physiology. Pauline is While a Fulbright student, Houria completed her MS in currently finishing her MS degree in Animal Science and Information Management at Syracuse. An article she co- will soon start a doctorate in Breeding and Reproduction authored, “Motivational Aspects of Information Literacy also at OSU. She is a member of the American Society for Skills Instruction in Community College Libraries,” was Animal Science (ASAS) and the Society for the Study of published in May 2004 in The Journal of College and Research Reproduction (SSR). Pauline has published peer-reviewed Libraries. Houria writes that “the article was accepted with articles in Peptides and Domestic Animal Endocrinology; her no revisions upon reviewers’ recommendations.” Houria research interests include the hormonal control of ovarian also notes that she has been selected for inclusion in the follicular development through gene expression analysis. 2005 edition of Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. David EL CHARIF (2002-2003) See Alumni Profile (Page 11)

6 Winter 2004 Edition Abdallah MALKI (1993-1996) As a Fulbright student, Hazem IBRAHIM (2000-2002) At California State Abdallah studied at the University of Indiana at University-Sacramento, Hazem worked towards his MA Bloomington, where he obtained a PhD in the Semiotics of in Intercultural Communication. Following his studies at Theater. As of March 2004, Abdallah is the Assistant Dean Sacramento, Hazem volunteered as a Communication of the School of Arts and Humanities at the University of Officer at the Aga Khan Development Network in Syria, a Indiana, where he is responsible for the Department of group of international private development agencies. As Student Affairs, Scientific Research and Cooperation. He of mid-December, he has taken a new job as Information has several publications in progress including an article and Culture Assistant at the Delegation of the European on Moroccan semiotics to be published in Semiotica, an Commission to Syria. article on the semiotics of theatre buildings in Morocco and a translation of a book on Umberto Eco. TUNISIA SYRIA Sadok BOUHLILA (1989- 1990) Sadok spent his Fulbright M. Jawdat AUDEH (2000-2002) Jawdat is currently year as a non-degree student at UCLA. He now teaches at working as an English Lecturer at King Saud University in the Department of English at La Manouba University in Riyadh, . He attended Georgia State Tunis and has recently been promoted to maitre de University in Atlanta where he earned his MA in Applied conferences, the equivalent of Associate Professor. Linguistics. focus on: Majda ATIEH from Syria

Majda attended Howard University and earned her MA travel, instead, to the United States in order to study degree with honors in African American Literature last African American literature…Professor Krekeler August. Her studies covered all periods and literary encouraged me because she perceived how much I genres in the field of African American literature: the loved and enjoyed studying African American literary literature of slavery and freedom, the literature of the works. Now I can say that Professor Krekeler’s advice Reconstruction, the literature of the Harlem Renaissance, was the best guidance I have ever received.” the literature of realism and naturalism, the literature of the Black Arts Movement and contemporary African When asked whether she is happy living in Washington, American Literature (since 1970). DC, Majda says yes and tells us that she considers it a beautiful city and one rich in culture and diversity. When Majda’s interest in African American literature asked about how she viewed relations between different developed in a course at Damascus University taught by ethnicities in Washington, DC, she responded: “Although I a visiting American Professor to Syria, Elizabeth have not been in this area for a long time and my Krekeler. Majda experience is specific to Howard University, a major says that international institution, I can say that ethnic relations reading Toni are positive. People tend to cherish a mutual respect for Morrison’s ethnic and cultural differences here. [In addition,] I novel Beloved in have noticed that there is a strong and Dr. Krekeler’s interesting tendency to assert similarity and unity course changed between African American culture and Arab culture. the direction of Some of these connections may have come about because her academic of historical interactions between Arabs and Africans in career. Northern Africa.” According to Majda, “I got so The literary and pedagogical significance of Majda’s MA inspired by thesis was acknowledged and celebrated in two papers Morrison’s presented by Professor Eleanor Traylor (Head of the works that I English Department at Howard University): one, at the decided to Second International Conference on New Directions in the decline a full Humanities (convening in Prato, Italy), and the other at scholarship to the Furious Flower Conference at James Madison the United University in Harrisonburg, VA. Majda is currently Kingdom, apply pursuing doctoral studies at Howard University and for the Fulbright conducting research in Caribbean literature. Scholarship, and

7 Fulbright Focus alumni news & notes continued. . .

Karim SOUIDI (2003-2004) Karim studied Water Department of Biomedical Sciences at Creighton Resources as a non-degree student while under his University School of Medicine. Fulbright grant at the University of California-Berkeley. Abdallah KURRAZ (2000-2001) Abdallah earned his MA in WEST BANK Arts, Modern English and American Literature from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and is now Deputy Ziad ABDALLAH (1983-1985) Ziad spent his Fulbright Head of the English Department at Al-Azhar University in years at Iowa State University where he received his MS Gaza where he teaches in the field of Literature and in Sociology. He has recently joined a private consulting Language Skills. Abdallah will be defending his PhD (a firm, AGRICONSULTING S.p.A, in Rome, Italy as a Senior comparative intertextual study on Eliot’s mythopoetical Facilitation Expert in the Food Security Technical effects on Al-Bayyati’s poetics) in Egypt this May. He also Assistance Programme funded by the EU through the writes poems about current world issues and events and European Commission Representative Office in Palestine. hopes to produce his next poetry collection in April.

Saleh AL-TAKROURI (2003-2004) At Rutgers University, YEMEN Saleh earned an MA in Electrical Engineering and has recently returned home to the West Bank. He continues his Mokhtar ALZURAIKI (2002-2004) Mokhtar returned home studies in the West Bank by writing joint papers with his to Yemen recently and, in October, was appointed as an former professors: one, which was presented at a Assistant Lecturer at Aden University. He currently conference in Hawaii last August, and another, based on teaches academic writing for English majors at the Sabir his thesis, which he hopes will be accepted at a conference College of Education. Mokhtar completed his Fulbright in the Czech Republic in July 2005. Saleh is looking to grant at Georgia State University in Atlanta where he pursue his PhD and received a scholarship to study in earned an MA in Applied Linguistics and ESL. Australia. Khaled ISHAQ (2001-2003) After earning his MA in Muna K. SHIKAKI (2003-2004) Muna is one of three International Studies from the University of Oregon, correspondents for Al-Arabiya TV for the Washington, DC Khaled returned to the UN Information Centre in Sana’a. bureau. She has been working at Al-Arabiya since May As Chair of the UN Theme Group, his responsibilities 2004, after graduating from Columbia’s Graduate School included overall management of all operational and of Journalism, and has covered the U.S. Presidential outreach activities, coordination of UN agencies in Yemen elections and the Democratic National Convention, in on information-related matters and the development of an addition to daily news features in Washington, DC and inter-agency framework for communication. In April New York City. 2004, Khaled joined the UN Development Programme as Communication Officer, providing strategic advocacy for GAZA the more than 20 development projects on communication and media relations. Jehad EDWAN (2000-2002) As a Fulbright grantee, Jehad pursued an MS at Creighton University in Omaha, and Abdullah MODHESH (2002-2004) Abdullah was awarded recently earned a PhD from the Department of Medical his MA in July 2004 by Oklahoma State University and Microbiology and Immunology at the same university. has been admitted to their PhD program in Professional The title of his dissertation was “Immunomodulation of Education. Abdullah and his wife, who had been living in Allergic Airway Inflammation by Flt3-Ligand.” Jehad Yemen, were recently reunited in the U.S. and celebrated currently works as a Post-Doctoral Fellow in the their marriage with a small wedding in a local mosque.

8 Winter 2004 Edition

USEFUL INFORMATION FOR FULBRIGHT ALUMNI

The Fulbright Association is the private, nonprofit membership organization of Fulbright Program alumni and friends. The Association is dedicated to promoting the Fulbright Program, enriching the experiences of visiting Fulbright students, teachers, and scholars, and fostering a global network of Fulbright alumni.

The Fulbright Association works to ensure that U.S. government funding for the Fulbright Program will continue so that future generations of students, teachers, and scholars can participate. The Association keeps members informed of the status of legislation and other issues that may affect the program and mobilizes its members to support the program through media, public education, and grassroots information campaigns.

For more information or to become a member, please go to: http://www.fulbright.org/join.

The Fulbright Academy of Science and Technology is an independent non-profit organization based in the United States. For more information please This organization receives support from contact the Fulbright Acad- selected Fulbright alumni groups, emy: businesses, institutions, organizations, foundations, and individuals interested in developing an international network of The Fulbright Academy leaders in science and technology. PO Box CC-284 Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107-0284 The Fulbright Academy of Science & United States of America Technology uses the expertise of its Tel: 1-207-799-3098 network of Fulbrighters and leaders in Fax: 1-207-767-4306 science to address critical problems in Toll free: 1-866-327-4448 education, scientific innovation and economic development. The Fulbright Academy’s database has over 10,000 http://www.fulbrightacademy.org. Fulbrighters and scientists around the world.

9 Fulbright Focus ...Continued from page 2 visit to Dr. Patricia Stock’s laboratory at universities across the United States. Arafat Al-Dweik (Cleveland State the University of Arizona in Tucson where They are now enrolled in their academic University, PhD/Engineering, 1997-1999) she will learn more about the taxonomy programs under the administrative responsibility of the Academy for plans to present his research in digital and biology of entomopathogenic Educational Development and are communications at the Third International nematodes (parasites of soil-dwelling keeping a busy schedule as they work Conference on Sciences of Electronics, insects) and their potential as bioagents in toward BAs in Technologies and Telecommunications in controlling insect pests. Luma will use this their chosen Tunisia this March. Originally from the knowledge to carry out a study of this majors. West Bank, Arafat now teaches at the particular type of nematode in Jordan. Etisalat College of Engineering in the UAE and hopes that the dialogue generated by his efforts to increase the efficiency of Youth Exchange and Study (YES) communications networks will improve his UPDATE ON YES AND PLUS work and inspire other research projects.

Partnerships Originally from Yemen, Aziz Saeed (Ball YES program scholarships, funded by the U.S. for Learning State University, MA/Applied Linguistics/ Department of State, give secondary school Undergraduate TESOL, 1990-1992) teaches English, as students in many Arab and Islamic countries Studies an opportunity to study at American high well as sociolinguistics, language and Program schools and live with American host families culture, phonology, and translation at (PLUS) Sana’a University. In December, Aziz for one academic year. Students are enrolled in a full academic year of high school study in the attended the 5th Annual Convention of U.S., attending classes, labs and extracurricular EGYPTESOL in Cairo with the aim of programs with their American classmates. YES PLUS is a highly competitive regional bringing back new ideas for teaching and students also participate in special enrichment scholarship program funded by the U.S. research to his colleagues and students. activities, including community service, youth Department of State’s Bureau of Educational He believes it is important for teachers to leadership training, a civics education program, and Cultural Affairs. PLUS targets use interesting reading materials, carefully and other activities that will develop a well- undergraduate liberal arts students from rounded understanding of American culture designed activities and group work to under-served and under-represented through interaction with diverse groups of create an atmosphere “where students feel communities who demonstrate academic Americans. Likewise, participating students the need to learn.” excellence and leadership potential. Students serve as cultural ambassadors to their American come to the United States for up to six host communities, becoming invaluable months of intensive English language and In January, Hala El-Khozondar (New resources for Americans whose contact with pre-academic training and enroll in U.S. Mexico State University, Non-degree YES students will provide them with an universities to complete the final two years of student/Electrical Engineering, 1993-1995) opportunity to learn about the rich and vibrant their bachelor’s degree. Students are joined the organizing committee for the cultures of the Middle East and North Africa. nominated in each country by AMIDEAST, Egyptian Materials Research Society’s Fulbright Commissions, or U.S. Embassies. 2005 Conference to choose topics and plan future activities and workshops. The second cohort of PLUS students has The YES selection process for the 2005- Conference topics included Hala’s main been selected and students are now 2006 academic year is winding down, with interests: studying photonic materials and preparing to come to the United States 240 students expected to be selected from developing optoelectric devices, which this spring to begin their pre-academic the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan have applications in high performance program. In this second cohort, PLUS by February 15. computers and telecommunications. Hala, has increased to 100 students from the The first group of YES alumni (academic who has a PhD in Physics and has done Middle East and North Africa, as well as from the newly included South Asian year 2003-2004) have been active in post-doctoral work at the Max Plank countries of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, founding chapter clubs in their respective Institute for Nuclear Physics in Germany, India and Nepal. In addition, countries. Alumni have made numerous teaches at the Islamic University of Gaza. AMIDEAST expanded its partnership of presentations in their schools and home university-based English language communities, sharing their experiences In her work as a nematologist at the institutions to 13 in this growing from their year abroad in the United University of Jordan, Luma Al Banna program. States. Many have initiated community (University of California, Davis, MA/ service projects including founding tutoring clubs at secondary schools and Agriculture, 1990-1992) studies parasitic The 71 PLUS students from the first speaking with departing exchange worms, or nematodes, to develop non- cohort represent 11 countries in the Middle East and North Africa. In August students to answer questions about chemical methods of pest control. This the students successfully completed integrating into American culture. The February, she is planning a collaborative their intensive English language and chapter club is planning a tsunami pre-academic training at nine relief effort to inform their peers of volunteer opportunities and to help the victims of the natural disaster. 10 Winter 2004 Edition

ALUMNI PROFILE: DAVID EL CHARIF KEEPS THE FULBRIGHT CONNECTION ALIVE

David El Charif is a Fulbright student from How do you think the Listserv can be Can you give us examples of Lebanon. He was awarded a Fulbright useful to Fulbright students and particularly interesting interchanges? Scholarship in 2002 to conduct studies in alumni? the field of Dispute Resolution at the When you have this diversity of University of Missouri-Columbia. He is The Fulbright Listserv is a subscribers, it is always interesting currently pursuing a Canadian Common communication network between to join the debates or just watch the Law degree at the University of Ottawa new grantees and their peers. Prior interaction between people from with an anticipated graduation in 2006. to their departure and placement in various backgrounds. The war in Living in Canada’s diverse capital, David the States, Fulbright students can rely Iraq, defended by many members, is focuses on public policy issues that are of on other Fulbrighters who took the seen by most Arab subscribers as increasing interest to Canadians such as same path before to ask them unnecessary and baseless. On the immigration laws and equal rights for same- questions and share their concerns issue of same sex marriage, which sex partnerships. In his free time, he and experiences. Whether they are more then 70% of the list members moderates the Fulbright Listserv “Fulbright wondering about accommodation in are in favor of, many Fulbrighters Students and Alumni around the World.” a certain city or at a university, or with strong religious beliefs wrote This listserv is a virtual forum that helps whether they have questions about that they are against it. This Fulbrighters stay in touch, communicate taxes, immigration, education or any particular exchange can sometimes be and exchange opinions. We asked him to other topic, they will always find emotional with gay Fulbrighters tell us more about it. someone able to advise them from coming out about their struggle for his/her own experience and help them acceptance. The issue of abortion is What is listserv? When was the upon their arrival. also a hotly-debated topic with Fulbright Listserv founded? feminists on the list who advocate for The Fulbright Listserv is also a woman’s right to control what Listserv is a mailing system that appropriate for discussions that can happens to her own body. Other allows a person to email all take advantage of the unique topics such as the Holocaust and the subscribers of a given group through multicultural background of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict attract a one email address. The Fulbright subscribers to this list. In this sense, lot of attention because they are Listserv is a virtual discussion the Fulbright Listserv offers the marking points in our history. environment for issues that are of possibility of having a standing, importance to Fulbrighters. It was virtual, global round-table discussion Anything else you want to add? founded in 1993 by Christos Siopis, a that would be hard to implement in Fulbright alumnus from Greece. I the real world. I have noted that Fulbright alumni took charge of it in 2002 and will continue to “live the Fulbright moderate it until 2007. What kind of email flow do you experience” after they finish their receive daily and what are the most programs. With all the differences in How many subscribers have signed hotly debated topics? opinion, they have shown solidarity onto the Listserv and where are they in difficult moments. For instance, I from? We have an average daily flow of two remember all the condolence emails emails. In heated debates, this sent to Americans after the There are 1250 subscribers from 72 number can go up to 40 emails per September 11 events, to Spanish countries and 5 continents. We are day. The most debated and discussed members after the train bombing and aiming to expand membership to topics are: recently to Asian Fulbrighters after every country with the Fulbright -Political issues such as U.S. foreign the tsunami disaster. Program. The number of subscribers policy, the war in Iraq, peace in the from each country varies a lot. Middle East and U.S. elections How do interested Fulbrighters join Germany has more subscribers than -Social issues such as same-sex the list? any other country and in terms of marriage, abortion, Islam and continents, Europe has the most women’s rights To join the list, send me an email to members. -Educational issues such as academic the following email addresses: programs, PhD opportunities, job FULBRIGHT-L- As for the Middle East and North fairs and enrichment seminars [email protected] OR Africa, we have members from -Fulbright-related issues such as [email protected]. Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Gaza, taxes and the 2-year home residency Morocco, Egypt and the West Bank. requirement 11 1730 M Street NW, Suite 1100 Washington, DC 20036-4505

AMIDEAST FIELD OFFICE CONTACTS: EGYPT TUNISIA Virginia Carley, Acting Country Director H.L. “Lee” Jennings, Country Director No. 23 Musadak Street, Dokki, Cairo 22, Rue Al Amine Al Abbassi Mail: PO Box 96,Magles El Shaab Cite Jardins, 1002 Tunis-Belevedere Phone: 20-2-337-8265 Fax: 20-2-795-2946, U.S. (202) 776-7117 Mail: B.P. 351, Tunis-Belvedere 1002, Tunisia Internet: [email protected] Phone: (216-71) 790-559; 790-563; 841-488 Fax: 216-71-791-913 JORDAN Internet: [email protected] Michael Clark, Country Director rd Rodeo Plaza Building, 3 Floor WEST BANK/GAZA Nuh Al-Rumi Street, Sweifiyeh, Amman (across from Café La Noisette) Chris Shinn, Country Director Mail: P.O. Box 1249, Amman 11118 Jerusalem Office: Phone: 962-6-581-0930 Fax: 962-6-581-4020 Slak Building, 3rd Floor, Next to Palestinian Counseling Center, Khalil As- Internet: [email protected] Sakakini St. Beit Hanina, Jerusalem Mail: PO Box 19665, Jerusalem 91193 LEBANON Phone: 972-2-583-5647 Fax: 972-2-583-5912 Barbara Shahin Batlouni, Country Director Internet: [email protected] , Bazerkan Building, First Floor, Nijmeh Square, Next to the Parliament, Beirut, Lebanon Gaza City Office: Mail: PO Box 11-2190, Riad El Solh, Beirut 1107 2100 Shaheed Raja St. No.8/704 Phone: 961-1-989901 Fax: 961-1-989901 ext. 100 U.S. Bseiso Building, 8th Floor Internet: [email protected] Opposite the Arab bank of Rimal Al Jondi Al Majhool, Rimal Neighborhood MOROCCO Mail: P.O.Box: 1247, Gaza City, Palestine Joe Phillips, Country Director Phone: 972 (or 970)08-282-4635 35, Zanquat Oukaimeden, Agdal, Rabat Fax: 972 (or 970)08-283-8126 Phone: 212-03-767-5081, 767-5082, 767-5075 Internet: [email protected] Fax: 212-03-767-5074, U.S. (202) 776-7110 Internet: [email protected] YEMEN Sabrina Faber, Country Director SYRIA Algiers Street, #66 (near the Sana’a Trade Center), Sana’a Barbara Al Nouri, Country Director Mail: PO Box 15508 Sana’a, Republic of Yemen Ahmed Mrewed Street. Next to Nadi Al Sharq. Nahas Building No. 3 Phone: 967-1-206-222, 400-279, 400-280 Mail: PO Box 2313, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic Fax: 967-1-206-942 U.S. (202) 776-7115 Phone: (963) 11-331-4420 and 331-5316 Fax: (963) 11-245-2407 Internet: [email protected] Internet: [email protected]