It took at least a year to get through the application
process and paperwork but I am officially a Fulbright scholar for 2015-2016!
The grant is for an appointment of two months in Pakistan to continue my
research regarding freelance journalists who cover conflict.
I’ll be heading to Islamabad in September and October of
2015 (if the Visa comes through without a problem) and will stay in the
“Fulbright House” where I’ll have a driver, cook, cleaner, and “handler.” I
will not be allowed to go off of the grounds on my own even to take a walk and
I cannot conduct research without someone accompanying me. This is all for
security and safety reasons and I completely respect the need for certain
restrictions. I learned much of this information by attending orientation last
week in Washington D.C. with other Fulbright scholars. The meetings were
informative and I feel incredibly honored to be going through this experience.
I am planning on a design change for my blog in the coming
weeks because I’d like to spend a considerable amount of time using this site
to update my friends and family about my appointment. We were specifically
encouraged by the Fulbright institute to use social media to promote what we
are doing, who we are meeting, and the ways in which we are representing the
United States abroad. As far as my time in Pakistan goes, I would so appreciate
your support through reading and commenting on my posts because I’m afraid that
I’m going to be fairly lonely. Replying to social media posts would also be
fantastic because I will likely be facing a pretty large cultural difference
and may need support. From the bottom of my heart I thank you for any
interaction you might have time for.
I am specifically looking forward to a few almost outlandish
aspects of the grant. The United States embassy in Pakistan may invite me to
speak at events, have dinner with important folks, lecture at conferences in
Islamabad, and generally represent the U.S. I will also be able to make a short
trip to another South Central Asian country for professional activities such as
teaching, lectures, and/or presentation of research. That means I might be able
to spend time in places such as Sri Lanka or the Maldives. (Um, wow!)
As far as social and
culture behavior in Pakistan goes, I learned quite a bit at orientation. Here’s
a look at some of my questions and the answers I received:
1.
Do I need to dye my hair to a darker shade? No,
there are U.S. citizens and ex-pats that live in Islamabad and blonde hair
isn’t as uncommon as you might think.
2.
What should I wear? Loose clothing. Most women
wear a sort of leggings/tunic combo. I was also asked to bring some “dressy”
clothing because apparently Pakistani people love to dress up and I will need
outfits for embassy events!
3.
Do I need to cover my head? No. Westerners do
not normally cover their heads in Islamabad. 50% of Pakistani women apparently
do not regularly cover their heads in public.
4.
Should I shake hands with people I meet? No. You
can wait for them to extend their hand to you as an invitation to shake.
Otherwise, you can place your right hand near your heart as you meet someone.
5.
Should I change my research focus to only women
freelance journalists in order to get better access socially? No. You can
safely meet with men in the Fulbright offices for interviews. It is not
recommended that you meet with them in other situations.
6.
May I have a glass of wine at a restaurant? No.
Drinking in public is not socially or culturally acceptable in Pakistan. There
may be wine at an event at the U.S. Embassy and people are welcome to partake
there.
7.
What faux pas or stereotypes should I be aware
of? Do not think of the concept of “time” as the same way you might in the
United States. Be patient and calm in all situations and know that not many
people communicate quickly via email. Face to face or a phone call might garner
better communication results.
While I am very excited about being a Fulbright scholar this
is a daunting appointment. The orientation leaders warned us about random
stressors. They asked everyone to think about coping strategies for moments of
anxiety and even led everyone through a mindful breathing exercise. Women might
be objectified, belittled, ignored and disrespected. Locals may apparently ask
newcomers, “Are you Muslim?” Our “culture coaches” asked us to think about how we
will answer that question politely and sensitively. Westerners are also viewed
as being fairly selfish read: “independent” and it is necessary to be aware of
that type of stereotype.
Two things that I could use your advice on: What area of life
in the United States should I give lectures about in Pakistan? One of the most
highly attended lectures was by a scholar who talked about the meaning of comic
books in the U.S. How can I top that? Also, what sort of small gifts should I
bring that represent the U.S. and/or Tennessee or Ohio?
One last note – please share about your life when you have
time. I’m interested to hear about what’s new with you!