MIAMI – Despite the boiling conflict and dangerous ride to the airport in her homeland of Egypt, Fulbright Scholar May El-Maraashly was determined to make it to Miami for the Fulbright Gateway Orientation Program held at Miami Dade College (MDC)’s Wolfson Campus Aug. 19-23.
“These are hectic times. Things are not at all stable, but coming in at this critical timing is both good and bad. I’m so anxious about what’s going on with my friends and family… And I want to bring back [to Egypt] the first-hand experience from America,” said El-Maraashly, who joined nearly 70 Fulbright Scholars from around the world who attended this year’s orientation. The program serves as a bridge for the scholars to become familiar with U.S. academic life and culture before beginning their graduate studies at universities around the country.
“These experiences we share as global citizens are unique. … What you learn from them and contribute to our knowledge and mutual understanding is just fantastic,” said Former Florida state senator and state education commissioner Betty Castor, who addressed the students at the welcoming ceremony held on Tuesday, Aug. 20. Castor was appointed to the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board by President Barack Obama.
MDC has hosted Fulbright scholars for the past 10 years. Representing 60 countries, numerous cultures and academic disciplines, students learned about the history of the City of Miami and took part in an American-style barbecue, a boat tour on Biscayne Bay, and dinner at an area establishment. “Miami mirrors Trinidad with the weather and beaches,” said 28-year-old Fulbright Scholar Roma Johnny of Spring Village, Trinidad and Tobago. “I’m excited about meeting new people.”
