I just got off yahoo chat with my Iraqi friend Diva and she informed me she has been selected for the Fullbright scholarship and will be coming to America to study for her Masters Degree.
She was just informed and I had to rush to get this out to you all who have followed my stories about her.
I have to tell you she is over the moon with excitement.
She and about 16 other have been selected for 2006 program. She doesn’t have more info about when she will be coming, but I am hoping sooner rather than later.
What great news for me to hear this morning and I just had to share with all.
I hope you will share in my tears of joy and happiness at this good news….
Oh Diane, that is such wonderful news. A real bright spot in these troubled times. It sure would be nice if you two get the opportunity to meet. Bravo!!!!!
Thanks Aloha and I am sure now that we will meet and I am just sooooooo happy…
She was just so excited and I am for her as well….
Plus I am glad for her to be able to finally get out of there, here’s hoping that all will go well and she will sooooooon be travelling here…
It has now been almost a year since I first started to talk to her and it has been a long hard slog…with her emotions up and down over the situation there.
I’m afraid that am especially happy every time an Iraqui woman escape what I think is coming.
I certainly share those feelings, not going to be good for women….
One of the things I am worried about is that she has a hard time leaving the country as you need a male familial guardian to sign and escort you across the border….Iraqi law….females under 52 I think is the age can not even get passport without male sponsor, and she has no real blood males left, had to have a ‘through marriage’ uncle sign for her.
Also women cannot speak when going through the passport process, the officials speak to the male sponsor.
I am hoping that the scholarship program has their own system of getting these students out of country.
Oh yes, let’s hear it for how the U.S. is helping women’s rights in the Middle East.
I think I just set a record for most typos in a single sentence. Just to feel better I’m going to retype the whole thing:
I’m afraid that I am especially happy every time an Iraqi woman escapes what I think is coming.
I do feel much better now.
yeah freedom is on the march isn’t it?
Do you know where she’s going to be studying yet? Perhaps some local Tribbers in her college area can volunteer to help her get settled and acclimated to the States; they can send you their email addresses and a brief bio, and you could forward them to her so she can be assured we’re not all axe murderers or something (lol). I have an afghan and pillow I can send along…
It would be very cool if she’s going to be in SoCal where the two of you could spend some time together…but it probably depends on her scholarship…
I was thinking about that very thing, thanks for bringing it up…
She does not know at this time any more than she is going…her preference is New York City but she doesn’t know how they match her up. By chance does anyone else know about how the whole Fullbright thing works.
I will keep you all informed as I know more and I think she would love some personal attention.
Wonderful news for your friend diane and am happy to hear some good news like this for a change. It does look like your dream of being able to meet here is getting closer to reality which is lovely.