A dream comes true

June 7, 2016

Being able to study in the U.S. has long been my educational dream. That is just one of the reasons why I applied for Fulbright scholarships, and now I am one of the happiest Indonesian Fulbrighters as I am here at Lehigh University, as a graduate student. I was extremely excited when I received an email that I got admitted to this university, which I first thought as something rather impossible since I learned from the website that it is one of the most selective universities in the U.S. regarding the admission process. I became much more excited when doing my trip from Jakarta to South Korea, and then to Detroit, Michigan. It was a long trip without sleep but at the same time, extremely enjoyable. Finally, I landed at Lehigh Valley Airport.

As soon as I arrived at the Detroit International Airport I felt so welcome for the hospitality of the airport staff and the immigration officers. I was a bit surprised when an officer said “Ramadhan Mubarak,” that was wonderful because I did not think that I would hear such a thing in the U.S. airport. I got much more excited and thrilled when I saw Dr. Bill and Cici (an Indonesian Fulbrighter) who were picking us up with a paper on their hands saying, “welcome home”. The two persons who were just names on my e-mail and WhatsApp contacts are now my real friends at Lehigh University. Dr. Bill is a very nice and helpful man. He has been so helpful since at the airport. Sometimes, I feel uncomfortable for bothering him a lot, when I have just been here for about a week. I feel so lucky.

The first day I saw Bethlehem city and Lehigh University in person is absolutely amazing and memorable. It is exactly how I had imagined it before I came. Just like what I had seen in Hollywood movies that reveal the beauty of the American environment and buildings. I am so impressed with the green trees that seem like dancing and moving beautifully as the wind hit them so tenderly and fresh. It is summer, yet it is so cold for me. The sunny windy days give me fresh energy to start life at Lehigh. The cleanness of the surroundings is inspiring, how can a city with lots of trees keeps its roads with no fallen leaves left behind. Garbage bins are everywhere but no bad smell ever scented by my sense of smell. Most of the buildings are quite small but still, they are unique and artistic. The people have been really nice so far, it is great to hear them saying “Good morning” or “Hi” or “Hello” to me.

I had my first dinner at a restaurant, which is quite small to me compared to most of the places for eating in my home country. Nevertheless, the menu at this restaurant really interested me for its various and complete taste to offer. I enjoyed the vegetable salad with chicken that was so yummy. I even had it packed up because it was a big portion and enjoyed it as my dawn meal so that I could fast during the next day as it is Ramadhan month for me as a Muslim. That really adds on the beauty of Bethlehem city and Lehigh University to me.