After over one year of extensive application and preparation work, the butterflies of anticipation finally set in as I rode the elevator to meet my exchange partner. Ananda Vardhana Telapakalle Sharma turns out to be an instant friend at the door of the hotel room we will share together (that's one way to make fast friends!). Within seconds we are sharing laughs and the formalities and introductions are behind us - we are so similar and yet still different.
The Fulbright Exchange Orientation is set at the Crowne Plaza in Alexandria, Virginia, just outside Washington DC. I had arrived one day early in order to take care of some visa and passport issues which had unfortunately come up at the last second. On the bright side of things, I get to be the only US teacher among the eight teachers from India for this first day as they begin to assimilate into life in America. There are many questions to answer and I enjoy this opportunity to be the first to present our culture. I find myself explaining the finer details of salad croutons, the function of parking meters, and acceptable procedure for safe street crossing. I realize that these differences will be mine to experience when I arrive in Delhi.
The Fulbright Exchange Orientation is set at the Crowne Plaza in Alexandria, Virginia, just outside Washington DC. I had arrived one day early in order to take care of some visa and passport issues which had unfortunately come up at the last second. On the bright side of things, I get to be the only US teacher among the eight teachers from India for this first day as they begin to assimilate into life in America. There are many questions to answer and I enjoy this opportunity to be the first to present our culture. I find myself explaining the finer details of salad croutons, the function of parking meters, and acceptable procedure for safe street crossing. I realize that these differences will be mine to experience when I arrive in Delhi.
The most striking scene is the hotel lobby that is packed with hundreds of foreign teachers and visitors. There are many langauges being spoken, a variety of colorful dress, and people of many nations. I find myself being exceptionally proud of our Government for the first time in a while.
After a morning appointment at the passport office, I spend the afternoon sightseeing with our Indian Teachers. The US partner teachers join us by this evening for the more formal reception banquet.
Fatima, Sheela, and Aprajita in front of the US Capitol Building
Dr. Sharma at the Lincoln Memorial
Dr. Sharma and I at the reception banquet - flags of US and India
Most of the crew have arrived
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