I was given the extraordinary opportunity as SUSI on U.S. Culture and Society 2014 grantee
to spend six weeks as a visitor scholar at New York University - Multinational Institute of American Studies.
My interest in this program was stimulated both by the relevance of how my university might approach the study
of U.S., as well as to enhance our curriculum, research and publications about
U.S.; and the opportunity to engage in an intensive collaboration with
an outstanding group of colleagues. The intellectual and personal atmosphere
has been excellent, not the least because of the great diversity in terms of nationalities,
academic backgrounds and research interests.
Since I arrived on June 7th, I have met many very interesting people
that shared their culture, thoughts and knowledge on the themes of the
lectures. I have the great opportunity to participate in sessions
with different speakers and
panelists drawn from leading universities, political organizations, the media,
labor unions, business and the arts to present the main theme: the reconciliation of American diversity with
national unity.
I deeply understand the local autonomy and pluralism in America, with the
great opportunity to study a Community in New England, with tours and lectures led by Donald Johnson, Professor Emeritus
of International Education,
NYU.
I also learned that individual liberty is the American creed in a country with a
huge cultural and social heterogeneity. To illustrate this topic, I had the
opportunity to deeply understand the role of the ethnicity and assimilation on
the American Frontier thought the Tour of New Mexico and Colorado.
And of course the
great experience to study and live in the most fabulous city in the world: New York City. It has so many things to study
that it can be downright overwhelming trying to figure out how to fit
everything in that you want to do.
The culture and the history I have learned about
NYC! The Broadway Theater! The food I have tasted (eg. Harlem, Queens, China
Town Tours)!... I think I became a real New Yorker!
All these
experiences provide me making so many new friends from all around the world and
gained new perspectives through the sharing of different values, ideologies, religions
and traditions that have enlarged my respect and understanding of all these
cultural differences.
The interaction with such a formidable group has been one of the aspects
that make participating in the MIAS program a tremendous experience. All the
activities are coordinated by Prof. Philip Hosay and by their Staff (Ali,
Chris, Lindsey, Anna, Adam and Lydia). All have been done a great job in
coordinating the 18 members of the group, with an excellent balance between
steering and autonomy. The warmth and
friendliness of the American professionals made the whole program a very
pleasant time. I am glad to say that I am making very good friends and
effective professional networks.
I feel very privileged because this experience has been so valuable not
only professionally and socially through an enlarged network, but most of all
on a personal basis: I feel I have developed a lot as a human being and that
has really exceeded my most optimistic expectations about this program.
I really know that the fond memories of the intellectual and personal
interactions of this experience will last for long and will continue to nurture
my academic work and personal life for many years to come.
This is a most rewarding experience, both in personal and in
professional terms. This program will
be an unforgettable experience and really make me feel privileged of being part
of the MIAS global family!
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