Fulbright Final Report

1. Discuss specific ways in which the Fulbright experience supported or facilitated your personal and professional development.
It is nearly impossible for me to understand how much this experience has impacted me personally and professionally at this point in my life because I am still immersed in it and the ending seems surreal.  However, from the tip of the iceberg that I am able to see, I know the ripples and repercussions will spread far into my future life in ways that I cannot even begin to imagine. At the moment, I have noticed specific changes in the way I understand and communicate with people, in terms of word choice, body language, and patience with language or cultural differences. I also have a hugely increased interest in linguistics, phonetics, expanding and maintaining my current level of fluency and striving to learn more along with also pursuing knowledge of other languages.  I gained invaluable experience in my professional life working in all kinds of different settings, environments, age levels, education levels, really just an unimaginable combination of situations over the course of my time in Uruguay. I can honestly say I could confidently work and potentially thrive in nearly any work environment I would encounter after this experience.  It has made me expand my comfort level in classrooms to the point where I am now able to walk into nearly any level and work with a group of students for at least one class period with no prior preparation.  The experience I have had also made me reflect back on what being a citizen of the United States means and how we are perceived in the rest of the world. I realize how privileged my upbringing was just having the opportunities allotted from living in a first world country, but I have also become more interested in learning about our history of and current actions in foreign policy.

2. Discuss activities, apart from research or study, in which you participated during your grant period.
One the main activities outside of the program I became involved in was the frisbee team in Montevideo.  Part of my original side project proposal was to investigate different types of athletic activities available to women, so joining the frisbee team made sense in that regard. I was also desperate to make some Uruguayan friends, and the frisbee team was an awesome way to do that.  I could never have imagined how joining the frisbee team here would have positively influenced my experience here before, but it made such an incredible impact. I had never competitively played frisbee before in my life, but it did not matter. I still instantly had an amazing group of friends to hang out with, travel with, ask cultural questions, and practice Spanish.  I am so thankful for the openness, graciousness, patience, and support of the frisbee team. I can honestly say that my experience in Montevideo would have been much less fun, educational, and my Spanish would not be as good if I had not found them.  I would not have my Uruguayan family.

3. Recount occasions on which you addressed or spoke to local audiences, participated in cultural or professional meetings, or wrote for local publications.
I participated in a few cultural or professional meetings during my time here, but not a lot of them were extremely formal. One of my goals during my time here was to try to make the students and professors feel comfortable enough that they could openly ask me questions about the people and culture in the United States. Therefore, I regularly made an effort to bring up and present or talk about topics in classes or staff meetings to start conversations. I also presented to groups of teachers more than once in a more formal sense in order to discuss topics in education and share ideas. I did not write for any local publications.

4. Comment on ways in which you and/or the Fulbright program may impact the way that the people and society of the united states are perceived abroad and on mutual understanding between the US and other nations and their people.
 I have  already begun trying to explain the scope of how this experience has changed my own perspectives, but trying to grasp how the program and your own actions have  influenced the views of the people with whom you have  interacted is another  matter entirely. I usually tend to drift through life under the impression that I'm not a particularly interesting person to encounter when walking down the street. After all, what have I done that is particularly interesting or useful on a global scale? Besides the skills that inherently accompany living abroad, possessing a seemingly unquenchable wanderlust, and being able to communicate in Spanish, I really do not possess any particularly useful skills or attributes. So I was more than slightly baffled when many schools and teachers (outside the ones I worked  in regularly) requested me to come talk to their English classes. What could I possibly say that they would want to hear, that would be profound and interesting? After a few visits, I realized I actually had two characteristics that made me more interesting than I had previously believed. One, I was a foreigner, and two, I was a native English speaker. Let me explain why this was significant. First, it is not actually that common to meet foreigner in Uruguay, especially in the interior, where my first placement was. Therefore, the majority of students never had the opportunity to meet and talk to someone from another country. My class visit would be the only impression of the United states they may ever have outside of the Simpson's and Friend's episodes (that the entire country seem to watch). I tried my best to dispel as many stereotypes as I could on those visits. In addition, English is a mandatory course taught at all high schools in Uruguay. I now know and believe more than ever from my own experiences learning Spanish that it is invaluable to have a native speaker resource in language classes and programs. Therefore, it was always a great opportunity for the students to hear a native accent and have the chance to hear about the culture from the perspective of someone who has actually lived in a country where English is spoken. From the perspective of Fulbright, it's an awesome accomplishment to have the ability to break some of the common stereotypes that seem to always exist about "Americans." For example, I have heard many times that we are very "cold" (because we do not kiss each other to say hello and goodbye), that we eat McDonald's must of the time and are overweight, and that the majority cannot speak another language. The first stereotype was not often asked about because I would always greet the teacher with a "beso" as per the Uruguayan custom. Second, the students could plainly see that I was not obese and when I spoke of my dislike for McDonald's and habit of going running on the rambla that stereotype broke down even more. I would politely slip into Spanish to explain to the students that it is actually possible for us to learn other languages. After that initial interchange, the students and I usually could get a pretty interesting conversation going about a mix of customs that exist in Uruguay and the United states. I would almost always leave my email address either directly with the students or at least with  the teacher, and I heard more than once from excited students who had more questions that they did not have time to ask in class. In conclusion, having the opportunity to be that "interesting" foreigner who comes to talk to you classes and dispel some stereotypes hopefully have v the Uruguayan population a better impression of the population that shares the continent to the north of them.

5. Please comment on any aspect of the administration of the Fulbright Program.
 I felt like the Fulbright commission was helpful and supportive as far as they could be, but there seemed to be a disconnect between the commission and the work we were actually trying to do in the field. In addition, there seemed to be an even larger chasm between the field work we are trying to do and the involvement of the embassy, the Fulbright commission beyond Uruguay and IIE. I personally encountered a lot of less than desirable situations working with the mentors I was assigned by Fulbright, both in the interior and Montevideo. At first, I tried to deal with the problems myself since I could not easily meet with the Fulbright mentor while in the interior. However, during the second half of the grant period, I outlined much more clearly what I did and did not want to do in classes, among with some lesson plans, ideas for classes, and preliminary schedules. These proposals seemed to be well-received and then seemed to be promptly disregarded. I had conversations with my mentors about the procession of events during the beginning, middle, and toward the end of my grant period, but I not feel like I was ever really taken seriously or the mentors I was working with just preferred to use me as their own kind of personal office assistant or class babysitter. The commission was supportive, but I honestly think my time would have been more useful and effectively spent if I had simply done a lot of my own leg work in finding classes, teachers, and schools within to work.

6. Did your maintenance allowance adequately cover your living expenses?
No. I foolishly thought moving to South America would be cheap and that I might even be able to save some money. I was able to make do and break even while living in the interior of the country, but I was forced to utilize practically all of my own personal savings just to survive in Montevideo. The Fulbright commission recommends to live in the safer neighborhoods of the city, which also tend to be by far the most expensive in terms of rent and utilities. About sixty percent of my monthly stipend goes just to pay rent in a mediocre apartment I share with two other Uruguayan girls. Then I'm left to try to sort out the high goods and transportation costs with what I have left over. If I ever want to travel, go out with friends, or buy anything besides food at the feria or grocery store, it comes out of my own pocket. Obviously, I think one of the most important parts of the culture is to travel and spend time with Uruguayans outside of class, so I squandered most of my own savings to fully experience the culture. It seems a little ridiculous that the Fulbright allowance does not even partially cover expenses such as going out to eat with friends, taking a Spanish class, going to the gym, buying a coffee, or buying a new shirt.

7. Comment on your social and cultural adjustments, and describe any challenges and/or problematic intercultural situations.  Also comment on the benefits of your grant in terms of personal and professional growth.
I thankfully did not encounter any extremely problematic situations in terms of cultural or social misunderstandings. However, it is pretty difficult to make friends or find a sense of belonging, especially upon arrival. The feeling is then repeated halfway through when we switch placements again. I ended up living with a Uruguayan family for the first placement (great experience) and two Uruguayan girls the second time (experience I would prefer to not repeat). One of the things I've noticed about Uruguayans is that most of them already have preexisting friend groups that they've had for years and are not keen on changing. As a foreigner just passing through, it is not easy for them to justify including you. However, if you can somehow find an in to one of these groups, it will be a great experience. In most cases though, the people who you will end up spending the most time with will be other foreigners... which is also how I found myself wishing I knew more French and German several times during my time here. In terms of personal and professional growth, this experience has been beneficial because I have learned a lot about myself while also becoming much more independent. I also now have much more of an appreciation for Latin American people and culture: I drink mate, I love dulce de leche, and the best steak I've ever had had been from asado.

8. Please comment on your career plans and how the Fulbright grant has affected and/or altered them.
I have a scholarship which requires me to teach high school chemistry for four years in the United States, but I honestly know that my career will not be to permanently teach high school chemistry. Fulbright has changed my perspective and who I am, and I know I want to pursue a different career path. I am just still not sure what path will be. I am currently applying for a variety of internships to complete before I begin teaching, I have a meeting with a representative of the embassy later this week, and I have been doing some soul-searching in hopes of at least figuring out what field I might pursue. I honestly just know now more than ever that I want to do something that involves traveling and languages, if I can. I want to make a difference and leave my mark on the world, and Fulbright was the first stepping stone and opened the first door to allow me to pursue that dream.

9. How much language training did you have before the grant period, would more language training before or during the grant would have been helpful?
I studied Spanish in middle school, high school, college, and studied abroad for a summer in Buenos Aires. Therefore, I had a relatively strong Spanish background coming in, but I still had trouble adjusting to living and working. I would have found it extremely helpful to take Spanish classes during the grant period. I tried to find some classes I could either sit in on or someone who could tutor me, but it was impossible for me to find the type of course I needed for free and I did not have funds to pay for Spanish courses. I asked my host mom and friends to help and correct me with vocabulary and grammar, but most of them could just tell me whether I was saying things correctly or not and not tell me why. Therefore, I would highly recommend having the opportunity for future Fulbrighters to take language classes before or after arrival if possible. I think it would be extremely helpful.

10. In what ways do you think your language abilities have improved or changed during your grant period?
When I arrived, I could communicate on a very basic level, and my spoken Spanish was not fluid at all. Now, after months of presentations, essays, projects, meetings, text messages, emails, and conversations, I can communicate very well with almost anyone. I do not think of myself of fluent because there are still so many things I say incorrectly, but I have reached and maintained a basic level of fluency.

11. Please describe briefly your study or research program. Discuss the adequacy of educational facilities and the availability of research materials. Were you able to complete your work? Were you able to implement any innovative ideas?
I am not sure if I misunderstood the goals of the Fulbright program or if I just had some bad luck working in the schools, but I was unable to work in the capacity that I wanted to during my time here. I felt like my time was more devoted towards completing menial tasks and doing one-time class visits (with essentially the same introductory presentation).  I was under the impression that we would be co-teaching classes, coming up with ideas, building curriculum, opening the minds of students, expanding horizons, etc.  I was able to do a little of that, and tried to grasp it and savor it every time I did get the chance, but I honestly felt like a lot of my time was wasted due to lack of coordination, organization, and apathy.  For example, I would often come to classes because teachers would ask me to (or would ask my mentor to ask me) so I would show up on the correct date and time, but without having communicated with the teacher ahead of time because I was not able to due to either a lack of contact information or lack of response.  Once I was there, the teacher would tell me a topic and I would have to try to invent a forty minute to one hour class off of the limited knowledge I had for example about womens suffragism in Britain, Martin Luther King, or "Art." If I had known the topic even the night before or an hour before I could have planned something and at least been organized, but showing up and learning the topic afterwards seemed to be a waste of everyones time.  I also traveled to a school two hours away several times because that was when my mentor would tell me to come only to arrive and have no English classes to attend.  I finally decided to coordinate on my own with other teachers and come on different days when there actually were classes, but there was about a months loss of productivity.  The previous year in education was also difficult because there were so many strikes.  The other ETAs and I had periods of time where we could not work in the schools where we were assigned.  I wish there had been more options of volunteer activities that we could get involved in during that time period or there would have been a way to communicate directly with some of the students to organize a conversation club outside of class.  Overall, I felt like I should have been more adamant about finding one or two teachers who would be willing to co-teach and implement ideas with me who I could have worked with consistently.  Then I could have still done the one-time class visits, but I would have had some concrete placements as well that would have allowed me to at least make a valid attempt at realizing my potential.

12. Describe your host affiliation(s). Comment on your professional relationships with 
(a) the host affiliation
The schools and institutes always seemed receptive enough to my presence in the school.  It also varied between the prinicpal not actually knowing that I was there or being super thankful I was there.  I never had a bad experience dealing with the actual institution, though.

(b) Deans or department heads
I did not interact a lot with actual department heads of English.  Usually, I worked directly with the teachers.  The department heads seemed nice enough when I met them, though.  I worked directly with some of the inspectors, but not enough to accurately describe having a prefessional relationship with them.

(c) faculty associate or supervisor
I had some interesting experiences with my advisors.  What it comes down to, is most of the time the teachers are overworked and underpaid.  It is already hard enough for them to do their several jobs with out the added stress of having a native speaker who wants to meet, plan, take more time, and disrupt the flow.  I understand that many times, it was more of a stress for the teachers to work with me than a relief.  When I was actually able to plan a class ahead of time and able to carry it out, I was extremely excited and grateful.  I formed great relationships with a few teachers who I might continue working with while back in the United States.  It is inspiring to see teachers still thrilled to work and inspire students when they are so overworked and underpaid.  However, there were also several occasions when I stopped going to placements due to a lack of relationship.  At first, I would try to keep working and make those relationship develop and work, but in the end, I realized it was better to devote my time to other endeavors.

13. What advice could you provide about conducting research or study in your host country that could also apply to future grantees? (For example: academic, language, research.) 
I would advise future Fulbrighters to try to get involved in as many activities and schools as possible at the beginning, then elect a few with which they can continue and dedicate most of their time. I would have done a lot more leg work  at the beginning getting to know schools and teachers outside of my placements to try to get the most out my grant.  I feel as though my placements limited me because by the time I figured out that they were not working, I did not have enough time to begin an entire new placement in earnest.  I would also advise future Fulbrighters to try to find something or someone outside of Education to keep you sane.  I turned to sports and groups of friends or family, but you have to have something else to do to occupy your time and take your mind off of work.

La experiencia Fulbright

Para empezar, quiero tomarme un momento para recordar el comienzo de mi experiencia en el programa.  Shamari y Jenny y yo pensábamos que no íbamos a venir a america latina y tuvimos otras vidas en los EE.UU. antes de venirnos acá.  Nos encontramos en el aeropuerto de Miami por la primera vez el nueve de marzo, hace casi ocho meses.  Para mi, eso fue como una parada en mi vida real y el comienzo de una aventura inimaginable.  El Programa nos da información básica.  Nuestra experiencia se divide en 2 partes, una en el interior y otra en la Capital, Montevideo.  En esos dos lugares, tenemos otra división de nuestro tiempo entre los liceos públicos y los institutos de formación docente y a veces otra, también, por ejemplo acreditación.   La idea es apoyar y asistir a estudiantes y profesores de IFD o en los liceos públicos del Uruguay de la mejor manera posible.

La primera parte de mi experiencia fue en Paysandú.  Paysandú es una ciudad bastante chica que está en el norte de Uruguay en la frontera de argentina, hay alrededor 75.000 habitantes en la ciudad. Yo viví con una familia, una profesora de ingles que tiene dos hijas, una que esta en Paysandú y otra que estuvo en Italia estudiando y ahora está en los estados unidos.  Trabajé la mayoría del tiempo en liceo número uno y el instituto de formación docente pero hice visitas a otros liceos, institutos privados, y escuelas primarias, también.  Traté de trabajar con los profesores para hacer algo útil, sobre lo que ellos estuvieran enseñando, pero solo me presentaba, les contaba sobre mi y mi vida… Hola, me llamo Blaire, como la bruja de Blaire, soy de Pensilvania, pero no soy vampira… pero mis clases favoritos fueron las cuando yo fui con más frecuencia y tuve la oportunidad para conocer los estudiantes mejor.  Entonces, podiamos tener conversaciones sobre la cultura de Uruguay y los estados unidos y charlar un poco sobre algunas cosas parecidas y distintos.  Por ejemplo, tuvimos un día de poesía, dos cineforos, y usamos cosas como canciones, deportes y actividades juveniles.

Estuve en Paysandú desde principios de marzo hasta finales de junio.  Al fin de junio, llegue a Montevideo por la conferencia de Fulbright con los becados de Argentina y Uruguay, Luego llegaron las vacaciones del invierno, y una visita de mi familia.  Después de todo eso, empecé a trabajar de nuevo en Montevideo. Acá trabajé en liceos públicos otra vez, viajé todas las semanas a Florida para irme a CERP del centro, centro regional de profesores y trabajé en acreditación, organización que brinda mejores posibilades para el aprendizaje de inglés. Iba a participar de más clases en Montevideo, pero los paros y demás inconvenientes que éstos ocasionaban, hizo que me enfocara mas en el trabajo en la oficina de la organización acreditación y dando clases para ellos.  Los días de comidas fueron lo mejor!!! y tengo intenciones de tener una fiesta de Halloween la semana próxima.  También, tuve actividades muy lindas en Florida, con los estudiantes del profesorado de ingles y otros- tuvimos un clase con los de geografía y vamos a tener un clase la semana próxima con la clase de historia, tuve la oportunidad de hablar con los estudiantes de Florida afuera de clase muchas veces porque almorzamos juntos cuando podíamos.

En mi trabajo, tuve la oportunidad de experimentar la cultura y costumbres y compartí lo que pude con los estudiantes, pero siempre fue dentro de los liceos o institutos.  Por eso, ahora tengo que hablar sobre el parte que fue mi experiencia afuera de trabajo.

Cada uno de nosotros tenía que presentar un proyecto durante nuestra experiencia aquí. Originalmente, el mío fue una mezcla de algo con mujeres en deportes, atletismo específicamente, y/o algo con mujeres en ciencias.  Pero me dí cuenta que ese campo estaba bastante cubierto, por ejemplo, la carrera de nike she run Montevideo y por mis observaciones en las clases de química de las que participé donde note que había mas mujeres que hombres.  Entonces decidí formar parte de otros deportes, menos convencionales, para mi proyecto, participando en ellos como Frisbee a ambos lados del Plata.

Cuando estuve en Paysandú, hablando de deportes, nadé con mi mama y fuimos juntas a una competencia de natación en Mercedes.  Fue una experiencia lindísima.  Ahora quiero contarles un poco sobre la experiencia que tuve con mi familia uruguaya.  Como casi todos de ustedes ya saben, es difícil para vivir en un lugar afuera de tu país, tu idioma, y tu familia.  Entonces, para sentir que tienes un hogar y una familia en otro lugar es un sentimiento único, pero tengo otra familia de Paysandú que ahora siempre están en mi corazón- mi mama, Alejandra y mis hermanas, Julieta y Vicky.  Estoy tan agradecida a ellas por sus corazones, mentes, y abrazos abiertos y de verdad, no sé que hubiera hecho si no las hubiera tenido para charlar, reírnos, y comer chili, cornbread, alfaputas, empanadas de "Las primas" y almuerzo con la abuela los domingos.  Ahora, vivo con dos chicas uruguayas en un departamento en Montevideo y no tiene punto de comparación con mi experiencia en Paysandú, pero también, encontré una nueva familia en Montevideo.

Durante la conferencia de Fulbright, algunos me contaron sobre los equipos de Ultimate Frisbee que existen en Argentina, y me dijeron que debo buscar por el equipo en Facebook.  Lo hice y los encontré y ahí empezó una experiencia increíble.  Primero, tuve que aprender y jugar más que antes en mi vida pero aprendí un montón sobre el deporte, la gente, el idioma y el espíritu del juego.  Los miembros del equipo son tan buena gente, tan geniales acá en Montevideo, pero hay torneos internacionales.  Fuimos a competir y conocí gente de todos lados, más gringos o norteamericanos, colombianos, argentinos, venezolanos… pero la cosa mas impresionante para mi es que todos son tan amables.  Enseñan, pasan tiempo, explican palabras y expresiones en español, y quieren saber como estas y ayudarte en todo lo posible.  Voy a recordar los torneos toda mi vida y todavía tengo ganas de irme al hat de Rio, jaja.

También durante mi tiempo acá, corrí, por primera vez en mi vida, una maratón de cuarenta dos kilometres en la Patagonia.  Por suerte, encontré dos muchachos medios locos como yo que también tuvieron ganas de viajar a la Patagonia para correrla y fuimos al fin de setiembre a Torres del Paine en Chile.  Nunca creí posible encontrar "familia", que compartieron mi locura en una carrera y en el viaje y que los días posteriores, cuando no podía ni caminar, fuimos a andar en bicicleta alrededor del parque, cantamos canciones de rap, y dormimos en el aeropuerto de Santiago… fue una experiencia de vida muy fuerte - gracias a Nick y Chris.

Hay dos cosas que aprendí, tu hogar está donde está tu corazón…. Y La sonrisa es la misma en todos los idiomas J muchas gracias a todos- les quiero por todo su apoyo y ayuda!!!

También, voy a contarles un par de anécdotas sobre mis "metidas de pata" mientras aprendía el idioma pero en otro post.

A Mac store story

As many of you know, I am a fan of Mac products. My iPhone is basically saving my life down here because I can still send iMessages with wireless, and my trusty MacBook is in a delicate stage of disintegration, but our relationship is still currently functioning. However, I don't think Steve Jobs ever looked much into the South American market (why would he, let's be honest). Therefore, there are no genius bars here, everything is at least twice as expensive, and I've seen many more boom boxes and Walkmen than iPhones or iPads. I would not be all that worried about this except I needed a certain adapter to connect my computer to a projector. I did not really think about this before I came to Uruguay, but I ended up using my laptop a lot in class and it was extremely useful to have a projector and be able to connect your computer to it because then the whole class didn't have to try to crowd around the relative small screen.

It comes down to the point that after coming to the "I should buy a connector cord" realization. I proceeded to look up the type I needed online and locate the nearest Mac store (which was in Montevideo while I was living in Paysandú). 

The next time I went to Montevideo, I was going to buy the DVI to VGA connector cord. We had a meeting about two weeks from that time, and I went early to run a race, try to mail some letters through the embassy, and to buy this cord. 

The weekend was an epic fail, but I'm sticking to the Mac story right now.

I went to the Mac store on Saturday. It was closed on the weekends. Cool. Went back before our meeting on Monday. It was open. I had the cord type I thought I needed written down, thank goodness, because the store was literally just a depot of apple imports, not an apple store. The people had no idea what I was talking about when I tried to tell them what kind of computer I had and that I wanted to connect it to a projector. So they read the paper, brought out the cord, explained it was more than twice as expensive (*wince*), I looked at the cord (thought it was right), paid them, took the cord and paperwork and left. 

I had not brought my laptop with me to Montevideo because it was a short trip and I had been prior advised about the high crime rates. Therefore, I could not check if the cord worked or not until I got back to Paysandú (a 5 hour, $50 bus ride away). 

It didn't work.

Well, I wasn't about to go to Montevideo right away just to change it. I was going to wait until we had another meeting and could get my bus ticket paid for if possible. In the meantime, I checked to see if there was a deadline on the return policy (no return policy, only a service guarantee, sweet) and internationally called a Mac store in the United States who told me exactly what I needed in under five minutes (and it was half the price!). My parents were just going to bring that cord because I would not be able to get it here. I was just going to return the one I got and get my money back.

Or so I thought. 

I went to the Mac store again with my useless cord and all the paperwork and presented my case. They would give my store credit. The return policy that they had not given me nor told me about, but that I was supposed to obviously, magically know, stated that I had ten days to return items to get cash back. 

I was pissed. Now my Spanish was better so I was able to better express my frustration and the manager was called to deal with me. I wanted to know why I wasn't told about the policy, she told me it was just their policy. She suggested that I should have called when I realized it wasn't the right cord, I expressed sarcastically that I'm sure they would have been able to understand me on the phone and also reimburse me. She just said that they could give me a store credit voucher. I obliged but not before asking if there was a ten day expiration to use that, as well, she responded that I just has to use it within one year and passed me off for someone else to deal with.

I stomped out with my voucher wondering what the heck I could buy with it that would be even remotely useful.

My family and Jo came a bit after that and suggested I get a iTunes gift card. What a good idea. I could listen to audiobooks on the bus! And I have enough to get almost $50 worth! Woot!

I journeyed back to the Mac store with my stupid voucher and inquired about gift cards. They did have gift cards. Awesome, I would like one. They explained that you get a code on a piece of paper instead of the card and you enter it to your account on iTunes, blah, blah, blah, yes I know how to do that I explained. Then I learned about the injustice of it all. I had more than $40 on my voucher. They were going to give me a $25 voucher. I was like, "you're joking." Nope, not joking, and I was going to have to pay a little more. Apparently, you have to pay twice the amount of the amount of a gift card you want. So that means a $25 gift card costs $50. Of course, they explained this to me as though it was totally obvious and made perfect sense. They responded to my disbelieving and incredulous expression with a, "oh, you know, in some other places, you can get the gift card for the actual amount you pay." I bit my tongue to prevent myself from spitting fire and this severe injustice. I swallowed and said fine. What the heck else was I going to buy in this overpriced, outdated Mac store that I could actually use? I didn't know and moreover, I just wanted to get out of there before I exploded and never wanted to go back.

They tapped away on their computer, handed me an enveloped and I hightailed it out of that "Mac store."

Of course, I expected the gift card to not work, but it did, my iTunes account was credited the whole $25. 

Moral of the story: get your Mac products figured out and anything you might need purchased before traveling. 

oh, that Fulbright mid-term evaluation report....

What were your strategies for getting acquainted with the people and the culture? (1500 character limit) 

One of my strategies was to accept every opportunity that presented itself to me.  In that sense, when I arrived I had a mix of people and activities to try and see what I liked or see who I ended up getting along with.  Another strategy was to try everything at least once.  A lot of the food and customs I am not totally comfortable or familiar with, but I would always at least try them.  Usually the people appreciated that you would at least try something, and if you did not like it afterward, they were more accepting.  I have to often push myself to transcend boundaries and do things outside of my comfort zone in that sense, as well.

What kind of changes did you make in order to adjust to the local culture? (1500 character limit) *

I had to change some of my routines and habits in order to adjust effectively to the culture.  I usually eat dinner around 6 or seven and go to bed by 10 or 11 and I like to get up pretty early.  However, people here eat dinner a lot later, go to bed a lot later and sometimes get up early, but it is totally normal to go out literally all night and sleep all day during the weekend.  I also have had to push myself to do a lot of activities outside of my comfort zone, or even inside my comfort zone, I have been in uncomfortable situations due to misunderstandings in language or cultural differences.  Therefore, I have really had to learn to rapidly adapt to situations and express and explain myself a lot better in Spanish.

What types of safety issues were prevalent in the country (problems with diet, pollution, crime, etc.) and what safety precautions would you recommend? (1500 character limit) *

There has not been a time when I felt thoroughly unsafe here so far.  However, I have been trying to take the general precautions anyone should take in any large or foreign city.  For example, I do not generally walk anywhere alone at night, I either take a taxi or walk with a group of people. I do not carry more money than I need at any one time, and I try to keep my money and valuables on my person instead of in my purse or backpack.  I do not take my laptop (or really any larger technological devices) places more than absolute necessary.  Also, I do not take my real passport really anywhere unless it is absolutely necessary.  Most of these recommendations are pretty general and you should be fine if you use common sense.  For example, I try to use my gut instinct a lot and if something, someone, or somewhere is making me uncomfortable or beginning to not feel safe, I try to extract myself from the situation.

Please comment on other aspects of your social and cultural adjustment. (1500 character limit) *

A few things that seem to have really helped me cope with some of the social and culture shock that is almost inevitable are simply doing things for myself.  It is pretty easy to get overwhelmed by the amount of new and unfamiliar things, and it is important to remember to take time for yourself.  For example, I have started writing more during my time here because it seems like putting my own feelings and experiences into words helps me to better understand them myself.  In addition, it is necessary to find your own ways of releasing stress and frustration.  Sometimes, I need to go for a long run along the river or ocean shore and listen to something like Taylor Swift until my brain and body simply run out of steam.  Sometimes, I need to go to a cafe, get a coffee, and read Harry Potter for an hour or two.  I have found that these things help me renew my sense of self and purpose here.  You have to find a few vices that simply help you get through the day to day grind and renew your perspective.

In what areas have you found IIE, the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy personnel and/or the Fulbright Commission especially helpful? What areas need additional attention? What improvements would you suggest? (3000 character limit) *

The Fulbright Commission in Uruguay has been helpful, caring, and wonderful whenever I have asked for help, needed something, or had questions or concerns.  Patricia Vargas has been invaluable with any and all information I could have wished to know.  However, it is evident that she has many commitments above and beyond simply overseeing our specific part of the program.  It would be more helpful if she were able to commit slightly more time to our program.  For example, it would be helpful to have individual meetings with her (or someone in the program) at the beginning, middle, and end of the program to talk about the individual goals you hope to achieve when you arrive, how you are progressing along the way, and how well you think you achieved them at the end.  We gave a short presentation about our goals upon arrival and the ETA conference halfway, but they lacked time for logistical planning.  The impression I get is that there is a support system for those who desperately need it, and while we are welcome to consult with the commission at any point, we are supposed to figure out pretty much everything on our own.  It seems like it would be more effective to have a kind of checks and balances system in place to better support the program and ensure we are doing what we have been placed here to do.

On another note, I would like to have more contact with the Embassy and IIE.  I have not had contact with anyone in IIE since I have been here (and in all honesty, I did not even know we had that option until I read this question, and I do not have the slightest idea who to contact).  We had part of our orientation at the Embassy, which was great.  Afterward, I tried to set up a meeting with someone at the Embassy to learn more about the way it works, the resources available, potential careers, and to possibly make more contacts in Uruguay.  However, I have so far been unable to do so due to either a lack of communication on their part or a misunderstanding of the system on my part.  I do hope to make some contacts and meet with someone before the end of my grant period, but the only person at the embassy who has proven to be helpful so far was an intern we met during orientation in March and she left shortly afterward.  In conclusion, while I do believe the program has succeeded on many levels, I think being provided with effective contacts and support system (at least to check in with) would be extremely beneficial to the efficiency and productivity of future grantees.