A personal narrative by Alya Saeed Salman Alobaidi, a Fulbright Scholarship alumna from Baghdad, who completed her Master’s degree in neuroscience at the University of Hartford in Connecticut.
The Fulbright Scholarship was an incredible turning point in my life, a journey that touched my heart and transformed me in ways I never imagined. It all began one ordinary day as I scrolled through my Facebook feed. Suddenly, a post from the American Embassy about the Fulbright scholarship caught my eye, and I found myself captivated by the possibilities it held. Without hesitating, I submitted my application, driven by a deep belief in my English-language skills and my professional and personal accomplishments. Additionally, having already participated in the Department of State’s SUSI Women in Leadership program, I was confident that this opportunity was meant for me.
The year-long application process was quite demanding, pushing me to my limits and challenging my determination every step of the way. Each milestone I encountered came with its own set of hurdles, requiring me to remain dedicated and persevere through the difficulties. The first was passing the TOEFL. Achieving success in this step fueled my motivation to continue moving forward. Next came the interview phase, where I had the privilege of meeting U.S. Embassy officers and Fulbright alumni. The competition for the Fulbright scholarship was intense, with numerous highly talented individuals competing for a coveted spot. Fortunately, I successfully navigated all the necessary steps and was awarded a scholarship.
The path to obtaining the visa was filled with uncertainty, which was complicated by the U.S. Embassy’s closure. Tragedy struck my family as my beloved father passed away, adding an emotional burden to an already challenging process. The world was also grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, intensifying the fear and uncertainty that loomed over each step. It was a time of immense stress, grief, and a tumultuous mix of emotions.
When I received the news that my visa was approved, it was bittersweet as the joy of that moment was intertwined with the sorrow of my father's absence. Yet deep in my heart, I knew that this was a journey I needed to embark upon. The prospect of traveling to the United States, a land that held a special place in my father's heart, filled me with excitement and trepidation. I knew I had to summon all my strength to honor his memory and make the most of this incredible opportunity.
The beginning of my Fulbright journey was challenging. COVID-19 restrictions limited my ability to connect with others and isolated me. However, I was able to adjust quickly to my new environment, in large part because my friend and brother were already living in the United States. Additionally, Fulbright’s one-month pre-academic program provided invaluable insights into transitioning to life in America.
When I first arrived in the United States, I tried to socialize with both international and American colleagues at my university. However, the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as online courses and restricted gatherings, made it difficult to meet people in person. Thankfully, as vaccinations progressed, life started to improve.
Eventually, I had the opportunity to spend time with these colleagues. We spent time together, trying new restaurants, hiking, and kayaking. The people I met were open-minded, flexible, and brimming with talent. They had a zest for life, a competitive spirit, and a yearning for new adventures. Interacting with friends from different cultures broadened my perspective on life. I tried their diverse cuisines and learned about the valuable life lessons they had gained from their unique experiences.
Since childhood, I had been curious about American culture, partly influenced by my father's 11- year stay in the United States. I longed to immerse myself in this culture. Fortunately, the Fulbright scholarship provided me with the opportunity not only to experience American culture but also to explore German, Brazilian, Ukrainian, Italian, French, Indian, Mexican, and Indonesian cultures. I was amazed at how the U.S. brings together people from diverse backgrounds; it's no wonder that the strength of America lies in its diversity.
The differences extended beyond cultural experiences. I noticed differences in clothing choices and daily routines. In America, fashion choices are practical and more liberal than in Iraq, where we dress conservatively and formally. In the U.S., my neighbors woke up at 5 or 6 a.m. to jog around the neighborhood, which made me wonder why this wasn’t common back home.
I am so grateful for this precious journey because it transformed my personality, enabling me to understand people better and take pride in sharing Iraqi culture, heritage, and traditions. I even had the chance to cook Iraqi food for my host family and my Fulbright friends. My experience benefited me and those I met and interacted with.
On July 4th, I saw the sky light up with fireworks. I celebrated Thanksgiving with my host family, marveled at the festive splendor of Christmas in New York City, and took part in Halloween’s spirited revelry. These experiences etched themselves into my heart, forging an unbreakable bond between me and Americans.
Every city I visited during my stay in the United States revealed its own unique character—its weather, culinary delights, and natural wonders. From the vibrant streets of New York to the breathtaking landscapes of the West Coast, I was constantly amazed by the nation’s diversity. These encounters were not mere sightseeing expeditions; they were windows into the souls of different communities, each with its own stories, struggles, and triumphs.
On an academic level, I was fortunate to be part of the University of Connecticut’s Center on Aging. During my time there, I collaborated with talented and supportive American professors who guided me throughout my research thesis program and continued to support me even after I graduated. Additionally, I worked as a research assistant for six months at the center, which allowed me to gain valuable hands-on experience, complete my research article, and further enhance my research skills.
Through this journey, I accomplished much more than just obtaining a master's degree. I gradually discovered myself, understanding who I am as a person, and clarifying my goals and priorities in life.
Returning home, I was excited to bring back everything I had learned in the United States. I made a conscious effort to approach my home country with an open mind and accept the social and cultural differences. Because Iraqi society is conservative and judgmental, I knew that the freedom I had experienced in the U.S. would not be possible at home. However, by embracing an open-minded and flexible mindset, I was able to adapt gradually. Although the pace of development may be slower in Iraq compared to the U.S., I have managed to create an environment similar to the one I was in during my time abroad.
Currently, I am working at the American University of Baghdad, where I have the opportunity to meet new people from various backgrounds every day. Through sharing my experiences in the U.S., we engage in discussions about the differences and contemplate what can be established to keep pace with the rest of the world.
The Fulbright experience has left an indelible mark on my soul, allowing me to forge lifelong connections. I am grateful for the individuals I met along this journey and the lessons I have learned from all of them.
To future Fulbright scholars, I highly recommend embracing every chance and opportunity that comes your way, relishing each step of the Fulbright journey. It's not solely about obtaining a master's degree; it's about immersing yourself in a new culture, exploring a new society, venturing into the world, getting to know yourself better, delving deep within, and fostering flexibility in the face of uncertainty. Be confident in yourself, work on improving your English language skills, and savor every moment of this incredible journey. Remember to build meaningful connections and maintain contact with the people you meet along the way.
Through the support of the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF), the '”Creating Pathways to Employment for Young Mothers” project spearheaded by Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Regional Leader Center ExchangeAlumni Baimba Sheriff has a bold mission: to equip and empower young women in Sierra Leone. Its primary goal is to enable these women to attain self-reliance, achieve economic prosperity, provide support to their families, and actively engage in the advancement of their communities.
The team’s journey began in 2017, when they identified a set of challenges faced by young mothers in Sierra Leone. Baimba’s team recognized the urgent need to combat the stigma and stereotypes surrounding teenage mothers in Sierra Leone, especially as they often felt unable to return to formal education after becoming pregnant. The team’s mission to make a positive impact led them to the Western Area Rural District, Freetown, which has experienced high rates of teenage pregnancy. This project aimed to empower 60 young mothers with the skills and support they needed to overcome these barriers in their communities. The results have been impressive, with 75 percent of the women gaining employment opportunities. They established a self-funded library, where these young mothers had the chance to learn basic numeracy and literacy skills, followed by financial management and vocational training. Remarkably, 25-35 percent of them have since established their own businesses, and 35 percent were able to support their children's education and health through these self-owned enterprises. Others were trained for employment, apprenticeships, and internships, breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty.
While his team’s project has already achieved significant success, Baimba emphasized the importance of ongoing support and continuing. to monitor the impact and success of their efforts. This includes seeking out internships, continuing education, and mentorships to ensure that the young mothers can thrive independently. Baimba also noted with pride that the U.S. Embassy in Sierra Leone published a documentary on Facebook about their project, further spreading awareness of their work.
The project goes beyond just skills training; past beneficiaries and graduates of the program now serve as mentors to new mothers and trainers on new projects. They have a comprehensive two-year evaluation plan, set to be reevaluated by mid-2024, focusing on continuing mentorship and sharing more success stories. However, expanding their impact poses challenges, notably in obtaining government support from Sierra Leone due to bureaucratic hurdles.
Nevertheless, Baimba's long-term vision is to go national and reach the most rural parts of Sierra Leone, fully empowering women and changing the perception that motherhood is the end of their lives. He aspires to establish a presence in every district within the next 10-15 years, ensuring that women are not dependent on men or society.
"Our vision is to take this program nationwide because I believe in the abilities of women across Sierra Leone,” he says “By going fully national, we can unlock opportunities, create lasting change, and inspire a brighter future for our entire nation.”
Baimba noted the significance of AEIF grants in elevating the project's profile and highlighted the need for perseverance and commitment in securing these grants, as competition is fierce. Ultimately, he believes that the success recognized by the U.S. Embassy Freetown is a testament to the project's dedication, resilience, and cooperative spirit, all of which are essential qualities in making a lasting impact. "In empowering young mothers, we uplift entire communities and build a brighter future for Sierra Leone," Baimba said.
Written by Office of Alumni Affairs Intern Meg Markowski and edited by Maria Eliades
Antoine Battle’s career has been all about connections. A driven professional with a fervor for fostering global relationships and higher education, Antoine has built his career across international education, government, and industry. But it was his international exchanges and attending a Career Connections seminar for U.S. exchange program alumni that solidified his calling to bring people together. It all started with his time in Egypt and Morocco through the Professional Fellows Program…
“From the moment I participated in the fellowship and my first day in Morocco, I knew that I had to immerse myself in this field and take us to the next level,” he says.
At the time, Antoine was working as the Director of Communications at the D.C. Commission on National and Community Service, at the Executive Office of the Mayor in Washington, D.C. The office already had a relationship with the implementing partner that ran the U.S. Department of State exchange program and Antoine had been helping host international exchange alumni from North Africa. After going on his own exchange, he dove even deeper into global affairs.
Ultimately, Antoine had to forge his own path into the sector, taking on different positions. Despite not working full time, he had an inner determination to continue, based on a lesson from his father. When he was in elementary school, his father would take him to Walmart to buy water and soda to sell at local events. He says he learned how to take rejection from doing that, but that experience and his father’s attitude are what have given him fortitude to this day.
“You have no idea how many rejections I've received,” he says. “But my father always instilled an attitude that, even if there's adversity, even if there are obstacles, don't give up. I learned that in any situation in life you can't internalize, you know, a rejection or you can't let it stop you. You have to use it as a tool for additional motivation.”
When he attended the online Career Connections – Career Connections Global+ – in September 2021, that tenacity served him well. Within less than two months of connecting with leaders across various industries, Antoine landed a job as the Global Membership and Events Coordinator at the Texas International Education Consortium (TIEC), a group of 38 universities in Texas building the types of connections that come naturally to Antoine.
“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity,” he says of his time in the seminar. “I was like, wow, this is awesome. This is what we've been waiting for.”
Today, Antoine’s dream job is a reality thanks to his drive to succeed together with Career Connections networking, and his career is a testament to the power of persistence and the profound impact of connection through international exchange and the global ExchangeAlumni network.
Career Connections seminars bring together U.S. citizen ExchangeAlumni and leaders in business, government, civil society, and other diverse fields to leverage their skills and networks. The program is offered in-person and in virtual format. Learn more and apply for an upcoming Career Connections seminar today.
The U.S. Department of State in collaboration with World Learning is pleased to announce the Fall 2023 Professional Fellows Program Alumni Impact Award winners: Dr. Ana Majko (Albania), Mr. Saurav Rimal (Nepal), Mr. Sandy Wong (China), and Mr. Martin W. Nagy (USA).
With backgrounds in child rights and protection, service to the most underprivileged in society, legal aid for criminal defense and public interest litigation, and community arts education, the AIA winners will return to the Professional Fellows Congress to share their experiences and achievements, as well as the tools and skills they applied to their work after their fellowship, with current Fellows.
The Professional Fellows Congress will be held in Washington, DC on October 10-13, 2023. To learn more about the AIA winners, read their bios below.
DR. ANA MAJKO, ALBANIA (Great Lakes Community Action Partnership, October 2019)
Dr. Ana Majko has more than a decade of experience in the field of child rights and protection, implementing services for children at high risk, running day centers for children, and providing emergency services for children and parents in need for protection and treatment. She is an expert and trainer on issues related to child trafficking, exploitation, abuse and maltreatment, case management, and emergency response. Since 2016 she has been the executive director of the Initiative for Social Change (ARSIS), a local organization in Tirana focused on strengthening child protection systems in Albania, building community empowerment and engagement, designing and piloting new services, and building capacity in child protection, advocacy and lobbying and policy development in cooperation with public and nonpublic institutions.
Dr. Majko spent her fellowship at the Alliance for Quality Education in New York focusing on advocacy campaigns to fight discrimination and budget cuts in New York schools. Upon returning to Albania, Dr. Majko was able to apply advocacy techniques for child rights in three community centers, integrating her knowledge and increasing the impact to the community by empowering community members.
Dr. Majko is a co-author of in-service modules for child protection; the author of several publications and presentations in national and international conferences; a researcher involved in different studies with a focus on victims of abuse and children at high risk; and an activist for child rights protection in Albania. She graduated in 2008 as a psychologist at the Department of Pedagogy and Psychology (DPP), Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tirana and received a master of sciences degree in organizational psychology at the same faculty in 2010. She received her Ph.D. in psychology at the University of Tirana, in 2018. In June 2023 she graduated from the Vienna University of Economics and Business in Austria, with a master’s degree in social innovation and management.
MR. SAURAV RIMAL, NEPAL (World Learning, October 2018)
Prior to participating in the Professional Fellows Program in 2018, Mr. Saurav Rimal worked with the Investment Board Nepal as a Communication Officer where he was involved in media management and coordination with various government agencies. But the Professional Fellows Program broadened his global perspective, motivating him to make a deeper contribution to society. For his fellowship Mr. Rimal was posted to the Ohio State House, where he met the Speaker, Members of Parliament, Chief Justice, and White House officials, gaining a wider understanding of the power of government and public-private partnerships.
Upon returning to Nepal, he established Discover City, which provides smart solutions to government and non-government agencies. Mr. Rimal also founded the Karmayog Foundation, a non-profit philanthropic agency working in the remote areas of Nepal with a commitment to “selfless service to the helpless”: the Foundation works to improve literacy, reduce environment degradation, and uplift the living standards of the most underprivileged. Currently, he is President and Community Development Director at Karmayog Foundation. The Foundation is also involved in animal welfare and relief assistance. The U.S. Embassy in Nepal called Mr. Rimal a “champion for community animals during the COVID-19 lockdown,” as he and other volunteers fed more than 200 monkeys, 150 dogs, and several cows in the Kathmandu Valley from the early days of the lockdown, even while he partnered with Smile Nepal to distribute relief packages to those hardest hit by the pandemic.
As a result of his tireless efforts to serve, the Mr. Rimal’s work has been recognized by several institutions and national and international media. He participated in TedX Durbar Marg, and is a motivational speaker on Nepal TV and various other forums. He was awarded with the prestigious Dr. BR Ambedkar Award 2021 in India , the Global Youth Leadership Award 2022 in Bangkok, and the U.S. Volunteers Medal in 2022. In recognition of his social work, he received the Samaj Sewa Ratna medal in 2022 from the President of Nepal. Mr. Rimal is an alumnus of Stratford University, Virginia USA, with a B.Sc. in Business Administration.
MR. SANDY WONG, CHINA (National Committee on United States-China Relations, November 2022)
A professional lawyer from China, Sandy Wong has represented public interest litigation in China, and has worked as a legal aid lawyer in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region for years. He has also represented Uyghur defendants in criminal cases multiple times. At the same time, Mr. Wong has also represented parties in environmental protection litigation, LGBT labor discrimination and employment, smoking control litigation, underage campus bullying, and other issues.
Mr. Wong participated in the Professional Fellows Program in November 2022 and spent his fellowship in Minneapolis, Minnesota with Tubman, an organization that advocates for the rights of women and children. Tubman's slogan is "hope, help, and heart." During his internship at Tubman, Mr. Wong deeply felt the professional spirit of American NGOs; whether fundraising, material procurement, victim acceptance processes, court hearings, or post judgment placement, all of these processes were rigorous.
The biggest lesson he gained from the PFP program was that working in law can effectively help others, and the reward he received was the opportunity to participate in the PFP program in the middle of his career. After participating in the PFP program, Mr. Wong became more determined to continue working as a defense lawyer.
Mr. Wong received his master’s degree in human rights from Peking University sponsored by the Swedish Raoul Wallenberg Foundation. He spent three years in Xinjiang participating in a legal aid program sponsored by China’s Ministry of Justice. His main job was representing people with disabilities and ethnic minorities. He currently works as a partner in an independent law firm, mainly engaged in criminal defense and public interest litigation cases. He maintains long-term cooperative relationships with environmental protection NGOs, smoking control NGOs, and the China Legal Aid Foundation.
Mr. MARTIN W. NAGY, USA (Fellowship Host for Great Lakes Community Action Partnership)
Martin is founder and Executive Director of the Arts Council Lake Erie West (ACLEW), a nonprofit regional community arts agency in Toledo, Ohio that was created in 1983 with a mission to build creativity in the community, increase cultural participation, and engage people in the arts experience. Mr. Nagy is active internationally, consulting, escorting, and conducting workshops through U.S. Department of State-funded programs with Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia.
Since 2013, Mr. Nagy has served as a trainer, mentor, and escort for all the East European delegations that have visited the U.S. through the Great Lakes Consortium/Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLC/GLCAP) on their Professional Fellows Program. He has also led U.S. delegations and conducted arts-based community organizing workshops for youth and adults in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia as part of his outward-bound exchange program. Martin is the designer and chief editor of five volumes published under the title Taking Action, Changing Lives in Minority Communities, which are about GLC/GLCAP Professional Fellows Program activities.
Prior to working in international arts, community arts, and arts education, Martin founded and chaired the Fine Arts Department at Maumee Valley Country Day School where he taught visual arts to students in grades preK-12 for fourteen years. He also started and taught various arts and teacher training programs for the University of Toledo, Toledo Public Schools, Lucas County Educational System, the 577 Foundation, and Spectrum Friends of Fine Art.
In 2002, Martin received the Ohio Governor’s Award for his outstanding leadership in arts education. Other awards and honors include being inducted into the Cum Laude Society of Maumee Valley, into Phi Delta Kappa as an Outstanding Friend in Support of Arts and Education, the Roy C. Start High School Hall of Fame, the Outstanding Community Leadership in the Arts Award from the Toledo Federation of Arts Societies, the Outstanding Northwest Ohio Art Teacher of the Year by the Ohio Art Education Association, the Community Impact Award, and the Individual Artist Award from the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo.
Martin completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1971 from Bowling Green State University and did graduate work at Ohio State University in arts administration, and completed a master’s degree in public administration at the University of Toledo, Ohio. He remains abreast of current arts and arts education affairs by maintaining professional association memberships, conducting presentations, and attending professional association workshops. Martin lives in Toledo, Ohio, with his wife Ruxandra (Spring 2023 Professional Fellows Program alumna), his dog Maya and seven chickens.
Article by MaryAnn Robinson, Senior Program Manager for the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs at the U.S. Department of State.
When Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) ExchangeAlumni Laura Lau was in high school in Kazakhstan, she had no idea what she wanted to do with her life. Though she was grateful that she was free to choose her own path, she felt overwhelmed by all of her options and did not know where to turn for guidance. So she decided to do something about it.
In Kazakhstan, 60% of university graduates do not work in their field of study, and many parents don’t necessarily know about market trends or how to help their children decide on a career path. Before attending Turan University in Almaty, Lau saw this uncertainty over career choices first-hand with her fellow students, and did not feel like there was much career guidance being offered in her school, which did not have a traditional career counselor.
“Before I went to university, I had no idea what I wanted to do or who I wanted to become, or what hidden talents I had. My parents gave me complete freedom of choice, but I had no idea about the future,” Lau said.
Now, Lau understands that only a small percentage of students know what they want to be when they grow up — and she has made it her mission to help the majority of students who don’t.
Lau designed and launched a professional counseling business called TeenWin in 2022, with a platform that will allow students to go through career choice courses to help them identify their interests, learn about different career paths and university selection criteria, as well as grants and other tuition funding opportunities that will give them a successful start in their desired field. Students can also sign up for specific career counselors that suit their needs and receive advice from them.
In the future, her plan is to develop virtual reality (VR) technology that will allow high schoolers to experience different professions by immersing themselves in a VR environment that replicates what it might be like to work in a specific field or job. Real locations will be filmed with special cameras; then the footage will be turned into VR content to be viewed on VR headsets or projected on walls in immersive classrooms. Lau hopes to eventually provide this technology to schools in Kazakhstan.
“Many families didn’t know that there are people who can help guide students to the right university or career,” Lau said. “That’s why I decided to do this, to help students like me.”
Though she had the business idea, Lau said she initially lacked the practical business background to really get things moving. That’s when she heard about AWE, a U.S. Department of State exchange program providing women in Kazakhstan and around the world with business training specifically geared towards helping women entrepreneurs launch and scale small businesses.
“We started by improving our business English and listening to different speakers from various industries,” Lau said, adding that the program helped her to refine her business plan. “Before AWE, I had a dream of a career guidance platform, but the path wasn’t clear exactly how it would help. With the AWE training, I realized exactly how I could help Kazakh teenagers choose a profession.”
The AWE program utilizes DreamBuilder, an online learning platform which was developed by Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management and Freeport-McMoRan Foundation. This educational component coupled with localized experts helped Lau to understand the exact steps she needed to take to launch a successful business in Kazakhstan.
I didn’t have a lot of business skills before AWE - school doesn’t teach you how to make money, or about contracts and taxes,” Lau said. “But DreamBuilder taught me those skills.”
Lau said she received advice and recommendations from program facilitators as well as other AWE participants, most of whom were mothers, which she found incredibly helpful because they offered a different perspective for her business and showed her that it’s possible to have both a professional and personal life. Together, they identified important topics for students and parents that she later integrated into TeenWin.
“While studying through AWE, I heard stories of women entrepreneurs who could - who did it. It was really amazing and inspiring.”
While a lot of entrepreneurs are afraid of failing, ironically Lau said her biggest worry was actually that she would succeed, and that life as she knew it would change quickly. Her participation in AWE helped her to build personal confidence, and to realize that being a successful business woman, especially in the tech world, does not mean you won’t have a personal life.
She said she realized that if other women were succeeding while balancing additional responsibilities, such as raising a family, that means she could too. And succeed she has – Lau was one of 10 participants in her cohort to win $1,000 in seed funding from Coca-Cola at the end of her AWE program.
Even before she knew what she wanted to do with her life, Lau said she had always imagined that she would create something of her own. She said AWE helped her finally make that dream a reality.
“I always knew I would do some kind of entrepreneur business,” Lau said. “I was really into this because it makes me feel driven and helpful. I gained confidence - [now] I feel like I am powerful.”
In just over a year, TeenWin has grown to a team of six employees and is connecting experienced career counselors with students ages 14 to 16 who advise them about different career options to help them to choose the most suitable one. Students who enroll in TeenWin (for 30,000 KZT or $68) are required to take the course on choosing a profession, which will help them to better understand their interests and the career opportunities that align with them.
Lau hopes that in the future, students will have the option to use the VR to test different jobs and will sell these services on the TeenWin platform, which is still in the process of being developed. For now, Lau and her team are using social media and word of mouth to advertise services.
When asked how she felt at the end of her AWE program, Lau said, “100% inspired! I gained confidence - I feel like I am powerful. If other women have succeeded, that means I can succeed too!”
The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs, a U.S. Department of State exchange program, gives thousands of women like Lau the knowledge, networks, and access they need to launch and expand successful businesses. Since 2019, AWE has used DreamBuilder, which was developed by Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management and Freeport-McMoRan Foundation, to empower more than 25,000 women entrepreneurs in 100 countries to follow their dreams of owning their own business. AWE has operated in Kazakhstan since 2021, reaching 130 Kazakh women entrepreneurs. Beyond Kazakhstan, AWE operates in five other countries in South Central Asia to help women grow their businesses and reach their full economic potential.
“The world needs to know, learn from, and see us,” says Aisha Bowe, former NASA rocket scientist, CEO, and U.S. Speaker Program ExchangeAlumni.
“Allow your career to take you wherever it takes you,” says Aisha Bowe, former NASA rocket scientist, CEO and Founder of STEMBoard and Lingo, and U.S. Department of State Speaker Program ExchangeAlumni.
From starting her education at a community college, to setting her sights on - and becoming - a rocket scientist at NASA, to founding and leading two companies, and becoming a global motivational speaker with three U.S. Department of State Speaker Programs to her credit, Aisha Bowe has proven there is no linear path to success.
“The world needs to know, learn from, and see us,” Aisha noted during a recent episode of MentorTalks, where she joined us to talk about why she left NASA to help youth to break stereotypes, stop internalizing false narratives, and realize their potential. She also spoke about what it means to be an ExchangeAlumni of the U.S. Speaker Program and to prepare for becoming the first Black woman to fly with Jeff Bezos’ private spaceflight company, Blue Origin, and the sixth Black woman to cross the internationally recognized boundary of space, the Kármán line.
Watch this special episode with Aisha on Instagram @VoicesofExchange to hear about defying the odds and pursuing your dreams!
Speaker Bio
Aisha Bowe is the founder and CEO of STEMBoard, a certified economically disadvantaged woman-owned small business specializing in engineering and development, IT services, program and project management, data management, ingestion, and analytics. She is also founder and CEO of LINGO, which aims to eliminate barriers to entry for students underexposed to STEM opportunities. She leads a workforce of engineers and programmers in addition to managing client relationships as well as execution of multi-million dollar contracts with federal government and corporate clients. Previously, Bowe was an aerospace engineer at the NASA Ames Research Center, where she focused on miniaturized satellites and aircraft trajectory optimization.
AWE alumni Sandra Ruivo (right) leads plastic and silicone mold companies Speedturtle and Turtle Petals with her sister Cátia Ruivo (left) from her hometown of Batalha in Portugal. Photo Credit, Sandra Ruivo
Article by Roni Kane, a VSFS intern with the U.S. Department of State, currently studying International Studies and Film, TV and Media at the University of Michigan.
[Portugal, August 2023] Two sisters in Portugal are helping make plastic waste a little less harmful to the environment by bringing a touch of ingenuity into their family business.
Sandra Ruivo, a 2022 alumni of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), and her sister Cátia Ruivo grew up in the Portuguese city of Leiria, a historic gothic municipality just an hour north of Lisbon. Their father owned a “mold manufacturing” company, or a business that produces and sells molds for creating plastic products — anything from automobiles parts to food packaging.
After graduating from the Universidade de Aveiro in 2007, Sandra Ruivo lived in Italy for a year before moving back home and started working for her father. Meanwhile, her sister completed an MBA in entrepreneurship and innovation in Austria and also joined the family business. The sisters spent a decade learning the ins and outs of mold-making and started to build their own network of contacts and clients in the industry. But when her father decided to sell his shares of the companies, Sandra Ruivo said she and her sister were left wondering what to do next.
“We thought, ‘what do we do now?’” Ruivo said. “There was all this background and experience we had in mold-making so we decided to open our own company.”
That’s how Speedturtle and its sister company, Turtle Petals, were born. Both Sandra and Cátia Ruivo currently run both companies. The pair founded Speedturtle in 2012 and Turtle Petals nine years later in 2021. While Speedturtle specializes in producing custom molds for clients worldwide — just like Ruivo’s father did — Turtle Petals’ main goal is figuring out ways to make those products more environmentally friendly.
“We invest in the sustainability side of mold-making,” Ruivo said. “Home compostable products can be used, and then when they are disposed of, they will disintegrate naturally in the environment without harming the planet and creating pollution or releasing toxins.”
Speedturtle and Turtle Petals work in tandem to develop sustainable plastics solutions and molds — like the PetalsPod coffee capsules pictured here. Photo Credit, Sandra Ruivo
One of the products Ruivo has developed with Turtle Petals is the PetalsPod Coffee Capsule — a compostable alternative to the disposable plastic capsules that instant coffee companies like Keurig and Nespresso use to package their products. In a country where most people enjoy coffee, Ruivo’s coffee capsules are already gaining national and international attention for posing a solution to the challenge of making consumption carbon-free. The design was one of just five products nominated for a 2023 Refocus award in the U.S. from The Plastics Industry Association and won second place in an AWE-sponsored entrepreneurship competition for program participants in Portugal.
Ruivo said participating in the AWE program helped her figure out how to break into new international markets and to best promote her product. She said the working through the marketing modules on the DreamBuilder online learning platform — which was designed by Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management and the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation using a cutting-edge U.S. business curriculum — helped her make sure both of her businesses were on the path to success.
AWE helped Ruivo break into new international markets, to promote her business’s compostable plastics at a global scale. Photo Credit, Sandra Ruivo
“It’s built so well for entrepreneurs and businesses,” Ruivo said. “[Through AWE] I can validate the management procedures we are already doing and know we are doing things the right way. But there were also new techniques — especially in marketing, because that’s always changing.”
Ruivo said when she and her sister started Speedturtle, her brother was a part of the company too. When he left the company, she was a part of a woman-led company for the first time — previously either her father or her brother had always been leading the business with her. She said she noticed a difference between how stakeholders regarded her and her sister as the CEOs of an engineering company compared to how they had interacted with her male relatives in that same role.
“Most of the people in this industry are male, and so are the stakeholders,” Ruivo said. “So some of them didn’t think the company could actually succeed with women leadership. But this made us improve our skills and be better each day — it is in adversity that we grow.”
Ruivo’s time in the AWE program helped her take her business to the next level and prove that women-led companies are a force to be reckoned with. Photo Credit, Sandra Ruivo
Working alongside other women entrepreneurs in Portugal and around the world through the AWE program helped Ruivo increase her self-confidence. AWE showed her that there was no question that female leaders belonged at the forefront of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Just recently in July 2023, Ruivo was even recognized in the American magazine Plastics News as one of the 50 “Women Breaking the Mold” this year. Plastics News has been highlighting women in the industry with unique stories to tell with its special report since 2015.
“AWE helped me envision a new brand strategy — to focus on sustainability,” Ruivo said. “We are doing very well now. We have control over what products we sell and which customers we choose to work with.”
The AWE program showed Ruvio that women belong at the forefront of innovation and entrepreneurship. Photo Credit, Photo courtesy of U.S. Embassy Lisbon, taken at the Ambassador’s Residence at AWE’s closing reception
The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs is a women’s empowerment program that operates under the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the U.S. Department of State, and helps women like Ruivo build their business acumen and have the knowledge, networks and access to launch and grow their own businesses. Thanks to a partnership with Arizona State University and the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation, AWE currently offers programs in nearly 100 countries and has empowered roughly 25,000 women worldwide. Since its launch in Portugal in 2020, AWE has helped more than 80 Portuguese women entrepreneurs like Ruivo turn their business dreams into reality — and contribute to carbon-free living at the same time.
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How can we harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) as a force for global good?
Dr. Reema Diab – the first female Jordanian global ambassador for artificial intelligence, an international keynote speaker, Founder and CEO of Galaxy for Technology, and a TechWomen ExchangeAlumni – joined us on our latest episode of MentorTalks to discuss the answer, and broke down some misconceptions about AI along the way.
"AI is important in everything we do now," Reema said, noting that increased involvement by women in AI will increase sex equity and cross-cultural collaboration, while reducing global waste and supporting vulnerable populations - the same things Reema is doing through her non-governmental organization, Galaxy for Technology.
Reema credits much of where she is now to her TechWomen exchange experience. "You have to do it," she advised. In addition to providing her with the skills needed to grow her own business, Reema found a network of like-minded women through the TechWomen program - women with whom she can work to solve similar challenges and obstacles facing one another across different countries.
Watch Reema's interview on the applications of AI and to get her career expertise on seeking out mentors and more in this episode, available above and at @VoicesofExchange.
Speaker Bio
Dr. Reema Diab is an AI expert, youth influencer, keynote speaker, and TechWomen program ExchangeAlumni. She is the Founder and CEO of the Galaxy Organization For Technology, and she serves as a senior consultant and technology service provider for Tesla. She also supports the work of various INGOs and The World Bank.
In 2023, Reema was nominated as the first female Jordanian global ambassador for artificial intelligence for SwissCognitive, a global community of business leaders and AI experts who lead the development of AI. She is also a member of the global “Council of Ambassadors” for AI.
Ranked as one of the world’s Top 100 Techwomen influencers, Reema has more than 10 years of experience in AI entrepreneurship, and has worked in communications companies and with the United Nations. She is a member of many global youth and women's organizations and has a number of voluntary initiatives that help to advance society in the field of technology. Reema’s main expertise and focus includes helping companies improve their business performance, and use their data more intelligently.
Mariam Lawani is an award-winning environmental enthusiast. She founded Greenhill Recycling, a social enterprise addressing poverty, unemployment, and climate change challenges using recyclable plastic waste as the currency to exchange value. She is also a proud alumna of the U.S. State Department program, Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), and the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, and Fate Foundation. Mariam leads social and environmental impact interventions to reduce health risks in underserved communities. Her work and impact have enjoyed attention from national and global media publications such as CNN, Lioness of Africa, and Empower Africa. She holds an MBA from the African Leadership University School of Business and several qualifying certificates in Social Entrepreneurship from Pan Atlantic University (Lagos Business School).
Read on to find out how Mariam’s exchange experience influenced her career and life path, and how her social enterprise is tackling the growing plastic waste crisis and unemployment in Lagos, Nigeria.
Can you share the highlight of your experience and key learnings from the program that you participated in?
Participating in CYFI was an invaluable experience that gave me essential skills like project management and teamwork. The Covid-19 pandemic challenges during my fellowship year forced my team to adapt and complete our project electronically. However, with unwavering resilience, focus, and exceptional teamwork, we created a truly memorable and successful project. The impact of our work is evident through the numerous testimonials from beneficiaries who secured international job opportunities. The fellowship year was truly remarkable.
My participation in AWE in 2022 taught me the importance of grit and focus. It was an intensive experience like a mini MBA, pushing me to my limits and helping me develop invaluable qualities. The closing ceremony and access to mentors were undoubtedly the highlights of the program. Meeting inspirational and exceptional women who were making a significant impact across the country left a lasting impression on me. Through both exchange programs, I forged meaningful connections that enriched my professional network and increased my net worth.
What is the most significant change you have experienced in your personal and professional life as a result of participating in the exchange program?
CYFI brought about a transformative change in my life, primarily through a referral from one of my team members. This referral led me to the Orange Corners Incubation Program, which provided the crucial funding my business needed to thrive. Without this timely support, my company would have faced closure. The opportunity afforded by the program has been instrumental in continued growth and success. I am immensely grateful for the positive impact CYFI has had on my entrepreneurial journey.
How are you paying forward the impact of the USG exchange program on your personal and professional career?
In November 2022, Greenhill Recycling organized a wellness and welfare training program for over 50 women. As part of the program, the team conducted thorough medical check-ups to identify the risks of pelvic and breast cancer. The project was executed with Dr. Maymunah Kadiri from Pinnacle Medical Centre and a representative from Lafiami Health Technology. Together, we engaged in extensive discussions about women’s mental health concerns. Moreover, we ensured that some participants received comprehensive health insurance coverage for one year. In addition to my involvement in Greenhill Recycling, I mentor CYFI fellows within the Environment and Economic Empowerment Team. It is a rewarding experience to guide and support these talented individuals in their professional growth. Furthermore, I inspired and engaged with a workshop attended by over 600 young girls on the International Day of the Girl Child. What fun or unexpected thing did you experience during your exchange program? Oh! COVID!!!! Covid happened during my CYFI year. It was unexpected and had never happened before. We had to learn new ways of working and still maintained our end goal, and the outcome was very impressive.
List any awards, scholarships, recognition, or promotion that you have received as a result of the impact of the USG exchange program on your personal or professional life.
I was recognized as one of the Top 100 young African conservation leaders in 2021 and awarded Woman of the Year by Her Network in the same year. In 2022, I received the Royal African Young Leadership Forum Award from His Imperial Majesty, Oni of Ife.
This interview was originally published in the Nigerian Alumni in Action newsletter.
Written by Sarah Sterner, Career Connections Intern, Global Ties U.S.
What does it take to land a job in the federal government? To find out, more than 100 U.S. citizen ExchangeAlumni participated in the Career Connections DC: Careers in the Federal Government seminar, which took place on Friday, June 23, 2023 at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC. The alumni came from far and near, hailing from more than 15 different U.S. Government-funded exchange programs. The daylong seminar explored various federal government careers and included skill-building breakout sessions, interactive panels, and a career fair with over a dozen federal agencies, fellowships, and graduate programs in the DC area. This was the largest Career Connections seminar since its launch in 2019–marking a full return to in-person activities since the pandemic.
The gathering kicked off with a networking reception on Thursday, June 22 at the Hive Hotel. Over 50 U.S. ExchangeAlumni from across the country interacted and connected with each other, Department of State officials, and Global Ties U.S. staff before diving into a full day of programming the following day.
The main day of the conference took place in the National Museum of American Diplomacy and the U.S. Department of State’s Marshall Center, where Nini Forino, Director of the Office of Alumni Affairs, and Katherine Brown, Ph.D., Global Ties U.S. President and CEO, welcomed participants and thanked U.S. ExchangeAlumni for supporting a strong global network. As Katherine noted, “Exchanges humanize international affairs and ExchangeAlumni are some of our country’s greatest ambassadors.” Nini reiterated the importance of public service and continued alumni engagement in communities at home and abroad, stating, “Our goal is to keep you connected. This is not an end today, we hope it is just the start.”
The opening reception gave way to the highlight from the day: the Fireside Chat with Liz Allen, recently appointed Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, and Ryanna Miller, U.S. ExchangeAlumni (Gilman Scholar), and Co-Founder and Chair of Diplomatic Perspective. They delved into citizen and public diplomacy and how to foster environments that encourage diverse participation and retention. Under Secretary Allen left participants with this message, “It is my hope that you will leave here today not only with new job opportunities and resources but also with a new network of like-minded alumni, energized and empowered to find your place in public service.”
U.S. ExchangeAlumni engage in the Federal Career Panel. Photo by the U.S. Department of State.
The morning continued with a Federal Career Panel discussion with three U.S. ExchangeAlumni and current U.S. Department of State employees who highlighted the ways in which their exchange experiences helped shape their individual pathways into the civil and foreign service. Panelists Kesha Bickel, Chief of Staff for the Executive Office of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (Gilman Scholar), Amy Simms, Foreign Service Officer (Returned Peace Corps Volunteer), and Ben Deese, American Citizens Services and Crisis Management Officer in the Bureau of Consular Affairs (Critical Language Scholarship Alumni and Returned Peace Corps Volunteer), addressed topics such as career transitions and leveraging a background in exchange programs toward furthering their career trajectories in the federal government. Amy encouraged participants to “think about how that [exchange] experience has changed you and grown who you are,” and highlighted the importance of bringing your background and personal experiences to every job opportunity. In discussing their career trajectories, the panelists noted, “There is no start and end process for any job. Think about how your experiences have changed you and prepared you for the job, and you’ll be fine. You’re going to build skills throughout your career.”
The remainder of the day was dedicated to skill-building breakout sessions and closed out with a federal career fair. Breakout sessions included topics such as job pathways in the civil and foreign service, grant writing 101, mentorship and network building, and non-competitive eligibility (NCE). Throughout the day, ExchangeAlumni also had the opportunity to take professional headshots and have their resumes reviewed by career advisors. The federal career fair included representatives from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Labor (DOL), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Security Agency (NSA), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, Peace Corps, and AmeriCorps VISTA. One ExchangeAlumni attendee commented, “I came away from Career Connections feeling a lot more knowledgeable, empowered, and supported by my peers!”
U.S. ExchangeAlumni can look forward to Career Connections seminars in San Francisco (September 23-24) and Charlotte, NC (November 2-4).
U.S. ExchangeAlumni network during the Career Connections DC Career Fair. Photo by Global Ties U.S.
