Fulbright Reality Czech

S tudent Spotlight Interview: Arvind Kumar by Chloe‘ Skye     Arvind Kumar is a Fulbright grantee in a US Fulbright student program in affiliation with Charles University in Pilsen. He is a recent Duke graduate who took a gamble on a Czech lab trying an experimental surgery technique and was enjoying the manifold benefits of his decision! We discussed stem cell research in the Czech context, his experience taking care of piglets, and how he gets to act the part of a TV surgeon in real life.  Fast Facts:  Hometown:  Rosalyn Heights, NY Age:  21 College, Major/Minor:  Bachelor of Science in Math and Chemistry, Duke University School in the Czech Republic:  Charles University Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen Favorite Czech Phrase: ‚asi jo‘ (probably) Favorite Czech Food:  Duck breast with red cabbage Tell me what your research is about. I work in a lab that specializes in experimental surgery on piglets using new, inno...

by Sinia Amanonce Graphic designer, Jessica Megan Livingston, is serving as an English Teaching Assistant this year in Prostějov, Czech Republic. Placed in a fashion and design school, Jessica has been able to teach English while also sharing her passion for and expertise in design with her students. Read below to hear how her “go big or go home” attitude has affected success in her grant year. Jessica Megan Livingston Fast Facts: Hometown: Wheeling, Illinois Age: 22 College, Major/Minor: Carthage College, Graphic Design and Public Relations School in the Czech Republic: Střední škola designu a mody Prostějov Favorite Czech Word: Kava [coffee] Favorite Czech Food: Garlic soup To begin, please tell me about yourself. I’m from Chicago, so I grew up with the city life. It was very typical, there were lots of people, lots of noise, and lots of things to do. I went to a private school in Kenosha, Wisconsin which was the opposite of everything I knew. There were a f...

by Sinia Amanonce In 1978, the Křivoklátsko Nature Preserve became a UNESCO protected biosphere. This unique mosaic of natural elements is where ETA Claire Shoshana Seid is serving her Fulbright term. In this interview, Claire talks about her pet cat, unexpected events of her Fulbright term, and how living in the Czech forests has taught her how to develop a thicker skin.  Fast Facts:  Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio Age: 23 College, Major/Minor: Ohio University Honors Tutorial College, Sociology/ Diversity Studies School in the Czech Republic: Střední škola lesnická a Střední odborné učiliště Křivoklát Favorite Czech Word: “My favorite is probably “já nevím” [I don’t know] because that’s the phrase I use the most.” Favorite Czech Food: “I only know the name in English as my students have told me, but it’s called hunter’s cabbage. Besides that I like smažený sýr [fried cheese].” Favorite Quote: “It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. ...

Scholar Spotlight Interview: Azeta Hatef by Chloe' Sky  Summary Azeta Hatef is serving this year as a Fulbright Scholar through an affiliation with Masaryk University in Brno, Czechia. Inspired by her personal journey as an Afghan-American, she studies, researches and teaches international communications and world media systems. Read below to find out about her research in the Roma community, how ethnography informs her method, and why she thinks Fulbright is such a valuable experience. Fast Facts   Hometown:  Fremont, California Age:  30 College, Major/Minor:  B.A. – Berkeley; M.A. – Syracuse; Ph.D. - Penn State in Mass Communications Czech University:  Masarykova Univerzita Favorite Czech word or phrase:   učitelka , teacher Favorite Czech food:  Azeta is a vegetarian. She likes the meatless classic smažený sýr , or fried cheese. Favorite Quote: “For small creatures such as we, the vastness is bearable only through ...

by Chloe' Sky  Maeve Duffy is serving this year as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Rakovník (17,000 people), although she lives in a village called Senomaty (1000 people). Having majored in Theatre at Barnard College, Maeve is bringing Broadway to Czechia by directing a play in her town. Read below to find out exactly what classic American story she’s working on with her students, how she deals with the tough topics that are seen differently in Czech and American culture, and how being so close to nature has impacted her life. Fast Facts Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland Age: 22 College, Major/Minor: Barnard College, B.A. in Theatre with a concentration in Acting, pre-med track, minor in Biochemistry School in the Czech Republic:  Gymnazium Zikmunda Wintra Rakovník Favorite Czech word or phrase: veverka, squirrel. “Day 2 of my grant I was attacked by a squirrel, so this was one of the first Czech words I learned. I used it in the classroom and now ...

Sarah Marie Kidder by Sinia Amanonce While attending Penn State University, Sarah Marie Kidder was part of a hip-hop dance team that hosted an event featuring Jaja Vankova, a famous Czech dancer, as one of their judges. As Sarah and Jaja spoke about dance, culture, and the Czech Republic, Sarah was inspired to apply for Fulbright in the Czech Republic. Read below to find out what Sarah has to say about building bonds with students and her experience living in Česká Lípa. Fast Facts: Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Age: 24 College, Major/Minor: Penn State University, University Park, Biobehavioral Health School in the Czech Republic: Obchodní akademie Česká Lípa Favorite Czech word: “I really like “veverka” which means squirrel and the phrase “tak ahoj!”[bye]” Favorite Czech food: Chlebíčky Favorite Quote: “The sun is perfect and you woke this morning. You have enough language in your mouth to be understood. You have a name, and someone wants to call it. Five fi...