Fulbright Scholars at �� enjoy hospitality, rich academic experiences

Interim Associate Vice President and Executive Director of ��’s International Institute Jon Rezek (left) and Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs Julia Hodges (right) congratulate new Fulbright Scholars Xue Mei of China, Shahzaib Abbasi of Pakistan, and Hellen Stephanie of Indonesia. (Photo by Beth Wynn)

STARKVILLE, Miss.—�� again welcomed a diverse group of international students to campus with the arrival of new Fulbright Scholars from Pakistan, Indonesia and China this semester.

Top administrators and others who work closely with Mississippi State’s growing international student population welcomed the new and returning Fulbright Scholars with a special luncheon this month. International faculty hosted by �� as part of the Fulbright program also attended.

New scholars joining those who are continuing their studies on campus from Benin, Kyrgystan, Namibia, Pakistan and South Africa are:

—Shahzaib Abbasi of Pakistan, a doctoral student in mechanical engineering;

—Xue Mei of China, a foreign language teaching assistant, who also is taking college courses;

—Hellen Stephanie of Indonesia, a master’s student in chemistry.

Continuing scholars include:

—Phumla Mawisa of Namibia, a master’s student in chemistry;

—Muhammad Nadeem of Pakistan, a doctoral student in computer science;

—Kentse Radebe of South Africa, a master’s student in sociology;

—Nurdin Tuiachiev of Kyrgystan, a master’s student in agribusiness management;

—Lauriane Yehouenou of Benin, a master’s student in agricultural economics.

Interim Associate Vice President and Executive Director of ��’s International Institute Jon Rezek congratulated the students on their selection for the Fulbright program.

“You are to be commended for your efforts, and you are very valuable members of the university and Starkville community,” Rezek told the scholars.

The new students agreed that their welcome at �� had been very friendly and that the opportunity to experience American culture first-hand is one that they worked hard to fulfill through the competitive application process to become a Fulbright Scholar.

Abbasi said, “It’s quite a lengthy process, but once it is done, you realize it was all worth it.”

The nation’s flagship international exchange program was established in 1946 under legislation introduced by Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas. In addition to encouraging foreign nationals to study and conduct research in the United States, the program also enables Americans to engage in similar activities abroad.

“Thus far, I’ve enjoyed my stay here at Mississippi State. It’s a little humid, but other than that, I quite feel at home,” Abbasi added.

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