I received some exciting news this week from my contact at the US Embassy in Tashkent. She informed me that the annual Fulbright conference will be in India in late February. I didn’t get any specific details yet but she asked if I would like to attend.
Of course, I immediately responded with an enthusiastic “Yes!” I’m excited about this opportunity for several reasons. First, this conference is for all Fulbright scholars in India and the central Asia region to meet and share their experiences. I can’t think of a more fun conference to attend than one where I get to hear about all the interesting projects being done in the other countries in that area. It’s also a great networking opportunity.
Also, I’ve wanted to visit India for a very long time. This conference is only a few days so I am hoping that I will be able to arrange to arrive a little early so that I can explore some of India while I’m there. I’ve already started researching places I would want to visit. It’s going to be difficult to choose just a few sites. I know I won’t have nearly as much time as would be needed to really see India but I’m excited to at least get a taste of it.
On a related note, I am also working on arranging a visit to Nepal sometime while I am on grant in Uzbekistan. While I was at the Pre-Departure Orientation in July I learned that the Fulbright commission offers regional travel grants to scholars. I talked with a previous scholar who had received a regional travel grant to do work at a University in Nepal. She offered to put me in touch with that University to see if I might be able to arrange a visit there in the spring.
I only just started looking into this possibility but I’m optimistic that I will be able to arrange something meaningful in Nepal and apply for the regional travel grant. If so, that means I will get to visit two countries that have been on my wish list for a long time. Again, I’d want to plan some extra days in Nepal to see some of the sights, specifically Mt. Everest. In fourth grade my son had to do an art project about dream he had for the future. He drew this picture of climbing Everest. Of course, we won’t be climbing Everest, but I think we can manage to arrange a visit to view the peak.
Experience Fulbright 