A Special Day with Fulbright Fellows in Montevideo

As Fulbright fellows, we get to experience different cultures and connect with people from around the world. It's truly an enriching experience that broadens our perspectives. Today, all Fulbright fellow groups reunited in Montevideo, and it was a day filled with fun, learning, and cultural immersion. In this blog post, I'll take you through our day in Montevideo and share some highlights from our experience.

One of the best ways to start the day is with a walk along the beach. So early morning, I went for a walk with some Fulbright Fellows. The chilly and cold weather didn't dampen our spirits, and we stopped by Starbucks for coffee and breakfast. One of my colleagues, Sarah, discovered a coffee cup with a beautiful design that captured the spirit of Uruguay. We all purchased one as a memento of our time together.

After breakfast, we had an important reflection and debriefing meeting. It was a time for all groups to discuss and share their experiences so far in Uruguay. It was an interactive session where we were all encouraged to speak openly about our individual journeys and discuss ways we can work together in the future. As we were mostly from different fields of study, it was interesting to hear feedback from group members in other disciplines, which provided fresh perspectives and insights into my own research.

What I've loved about my Fulbright journey is the opportunity to bond with amazing people. Throughout the program, I've been privileged to meet so many amazing people whom I've shared special bonds with. Tiffany Pace and Kerry Lake were two warm and friendly souls that we quickly became friends for life. Our bonding became strengthened as we shared our personal and professional goals and brainstormed ways in which we could work together in the future.

 As the meeting ended and our stomachs started to rumble, we headed to lunch. It was a fun and memorable lunch as we laughed and chatted about everything under the sun. After lunch, we had a city tour to learn more about Montevideo. We got to see the stunning views and historical landmarks of the city. One of the highlights of the tour was the historical arch that symbolizes the entrance of Jose Artigas, a soldier, and statesman who is regarded as the national hero in Uruguay and the father of Uruguayan. He not only played a major role in the independence of Uruguay from Spain but also won independence for Chile and Peru. His name is celebrated throughout the country. One of his famous quotes is, “Great men belong to humanity. They are the incarnation of the truth".

 As the sun started to dip and the day turned into the evening, we headed to a restaurant for Merienda. It is a light meal between noontime and dinner in South America, and we got to experience a typical Uruguayan Merienda that includes the infusion of tea, coffee, sandwiches, bread, jam, dulce de leche butter, and desserts. It was a delightful culinary experience that made us appreciate the cultural diversity of Uruguay even more. We chatted and laughed late into the night before finally making our way to the Teatro Solis for a special performance.

 The highlight of the evening was watching the ballet at the Teatro Solis, a historic and breathtaking venue. The Solis Theatre is Uruguay's oldest and most renowned theatre, and the performance we saw was absolutely stunning. We were captivated by the beautiful choreography and mesmerized by the music that filled the theatre. We enjoyed watching Sleeping Beauty and were all struck by the beauty of the performance and the talented dancers. It was breathtakingly beautiful. The emotion and artistry of the dancers transported us to another world, and we all left feeling deeply inspired and moved.

Our day in Montevideo was one filled with meaningful learning, reflection, and adventure. We bonded with our colleagues, explored new cultures, and were transported to another world during the ballet. As Fulbright fellows, we are united in our mission to promote international understanding and collaboration. I am grateful for this experience, and I look forward to continuing to learn, connect, and grow with my Fulbright fellows.