Bridging Cultures

As a Fulbright FLTA at Wesleyan University, Areeba Shabbir (third from right), embraced her role in fostering cross-cultural understanding. (Photograph courtesy Areeba Shabbir)

My yearlong exchange program in the United States, from August 2023 to August 2024, taught me invaluable lessons and nurtured personal and professional growth. During my exchange, I shared India’s rich heritage and immersed myself in the diverse American culture as a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) at Wesleyan University in Connecticut. This experience was both rewarding and transformative.

My role, besides teaching, encompassed the duties of a cultural ambassador to strengthen bonds between the two nations. I taught Hindi and Urdu, promoted Indian culture, and engaged with people from different nationalities. Every interaction embodied the Fulbright mission of cultural exchange and mutual understanding.

Challenges and opportunities

One of the initial challenges was adjusting to life away from family, friends and familiar routines, which required considerable effort. I focused on building new friendships and engaging in creative activities. I had the opportunity to meet and learn from inspiring individuals. The support and camaraderie from new friends made this journey rewarding and fulfilling.

In my teaching role, I organized language booths adorned with vibrant displays, interactive games and simulations, which added a unique aspect to my program. One memorable highlight was performing Urdu ghazals during the Mother Language Week. For this performance, I wore my mother’s dupatta, which showcased Rampur’s renowned patapati work, a form of patchwork, honored Urdu literature and celebrated traditional craftsmanship.

I also recited a shayari of Allama Iqbal at a Christmas dinner at the mayor’s house. The poem’s philosophical insights left strong impressions on the attendees. Another poem, titled “Payam e Ishq” by Iqbal and translated by Syed Zafar Mahmood, resonated deeply with the audience.

Celebrating Urdu

A significant aspect of my role was promoting language and culture, and World Urdu Day is a vital initiative to celebrate and promote Urdu language, its literature and its cultural significance. I was proud to speak about India’s cultural and linguistic richness at the prestigious Naval Academy Foreign Affairs Conference held in Maryland. The midshipmen were amazed by the diverse cultural landscapes that exist within a single nation.

During my time in the United States, I engaged actively in community service and networking through the Fulbright Association of Connecticut Chapter. Through talks and potlucks, I discovered the importance of dialogue and collaborative learning. Additionally, attending gatherings with Fulbright cohorts in Chester, New Haven and New York helped me to forge meaningful connections with fellow scholars. The candid discussions elevated the year to extraordinary heights and shaped me into a lifelong Fulbrighter. This journey as a Fulbright scholar has been transformative, deepening my commitment to cross-cultural understanding and collaboration.

Areeba Shabbir is an on-air educator at Swayam Prabha channel 16, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur.

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