INTRODUCTION
I was awarded the Fulbright African Research Scholar
Program Grant for the 2011/2012 academic year.
My host institution was Oregon State University,
Corvallis.
Oregon is noted for its wines production, agriculture and
academic excellence.
My experience was on academic, social and cultural
perspectives.
ACADEMIC PERSPECTIVE
On the academic note, the Fulbright fellowship afforded me the opportunity
to meet with nanomaterials experts like Professor Mike Lerner (my host)
and Prof. Vince Remcho.
I worked closely with Prof. Mike Lerner at Oregon State University,
Corvallis on nanomaterials.
Nanotechnology is one of the three modern technologies that drive our
world development. The other two are biotechnology and geographic
information technology.
I bonded very well with my host, and I learnt a lot from him.
Our research work yielded two academic publications in prestigious
American science journals: Inorganic Chemistry and Materials Chemistry
and Physics. I was very excited with these publications because it is usually
not easy to publish in these journals.
ACADEMIC PERSPECTIVE Conti.
I also presented part of our research work at the Oregon Academy of
Science conference and it was well applauded.
My experience in the laboratory was also very exciting and noteworthy.
The facilities, equipment and chemicals were standard, available and
accessible.
When the required chemical(s) were not in the store, an online order was
made on the account of my host, delivery made immediately and my
work progressed without stress.
On return to Nigeria, my students and colleagues are being impacted with
the Fulbright knowledge of excellence.
To this end, 5 of my postgraduate students are currently undertaking their
research in nanomaterials.
ACADEMIC PERSPECTIVE conti.
In addition, I was able to secure a short term fellowship in
National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and
Technology (NIIST), India for one of my PhD students to
carry out his bench work in nanomaterials.
Shortly after, I was awarded TWAS-UNESCO grant in
support of the training of three Masters’ students in my
research group.
SOCIAL PERSPECTIVE
The social perspective manifested in four benefits.
Firstly, at the national scene, The Council for International
Exchanges for Scholars (CIES) organized Fulbright Regional Scholar
Enrichment Seminars.
I attended one seminar in Washington D.C and another in Chicago.
The seminars afforded me the opportunity to make more contacts in
the area of my research and socialize with other people generally.
We have sustained the relationships till today. At the Oregon State
scene, the International Affairs Office of the University of Oregon,
Eugene, organized regular Fulbright get-together events.
During these events we were hosted by different families (called
friends of Fulbright).
SOCIAL PERSPECTIVE conti.
The families were always so nice with wonderful receptions.
At the Corvallis local scene, the host and hospitality of Oregon
State University was magnanimous.
Julie Walkins, the International Initiative Coordinator, my host,
Prof. Lerner and a Nigerian PhD student, Adeniyi were very kind
and fantastic in handling arrangements for my comfort (housing,
transportation, visits, shopping, health, my son’s schooling, and
other issues).
My research colleagues and graduate students were friendly and
handy to give advice and assistants.
SOCIAL PERSPECTIVE conti.
Secondly, I was accompanied by my last son, Isi (junior). He also benefited
immensely.
While, studying in the 9th grade, he indulged fully in soccer activities in his
school. He played in his school’s team; and parents were intense
participatory observers.
Parents and siblings accompanied their kids and brothers to the games both
in the city and at other towns.
This culture fostered social relationships, family and siblings friendships,
exchanges and bonding to pool vehicles to convey the kids.
As I hardly had time for my son because of lab work, the parents of his
friends showed him so much love and affection; and picked him to and
from the games.
SOCIAL PERSPECTIVE conti.
On this perspective, the integration of sports in the school curricular
strongly enhanced the overall development of the child. This aspect of child
development in Nigeria has been undermined in the last two-three decades.
My son, Isi has kept touch with most of his friends from the amazing
relationships.
Thirdly, the Fulbright fellowship afforded me the opportunity to meet with
family members and friends whom I had not seen for several years.
During the seminar in Chicago, I reunited with my elder brother, Dr Uwidia,
and his children that I had never seen since their birth.
At D.C, I used the opportunity to re-establish contact with my childhood
friend, Grace, who resides in Maryland. In the third quarter of the program,
I visited my maternal cousins in Texas.
SOCIAL PERSPECTIVE conti.
Fourthly, my husband and my second daughter (Efe) used the
opportunity to visit me in Corvallis.
The epic of the reunion was the celebration of his 60th birthday. It was
attended by the small crowd of friends, scholars, parents and children.
In our 25 years of marriage, it was the first occasion he accepted a formal
celebration of his birthday.
We visited here and there; shopped at many stores and malls in Corvallis,
Albany, Eugene, and Portland towns.
My husband had studied at D.C and Santa Barbara; so he knew the
landscape and cultures and where to get Nigerian food items.
He stocked me up before setting off to Nigeria. The three weeks visit
should not have ended!
CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE
On the cultural perspective, I noticed a lot of difference in attitudes.
For example, when receiving phone calls in the lab, people will not shout or
scream. But when I have a call, everyone in the lab will hear my voice.
If a friend or colleague invites you out for a meal or drink, he expects you to
pay your own bill.
If they invite you to dinner or party in their home, courtesy demands that
you take some gift (food or drink) items along.
People pass you without greeting courtesies. If they greet, they say, ‘Hi’ and
you respond same ‘Hi’. No sentiments, no obligations, no prayers, no
feelings!. You just walk away. Most people just acknowledge you with a
glossy (or phony) smile.
CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE conti.
Similarly, a professor is not addressed with the occupational title
‘Professor’. Rather he is addressed with the academic title ‘Dr’.
Hence instead of ‘Prof. Lerner, he is called ‘Dr Lerner’.
What is most funny is that very young students, and everyone else,
would just called him, with impunity, by his first name ‘Mike’.
Kids would, with disrespect, just greet ‘hi, Dad’ instead of ‘good
morning sir or good morning Dad’. These idiosyncrasies are unusual,
and offending to us in Nigerian hospitality culture. Soon, I adapted.
However, I had a challenge with my ascent. They did not
understanding how I pronounced some words, e.g, thirty. My house
was on 30th street. I had to learn it.
Once again my Fulbright experience was very worthwhile
academically, socially and culturally. I wish everyone can have the
experience.
Thank you for your attention