IMMERSON

Imagine living in a village that had no electricity or indoor plumbing. With no access to a laptop computer, you have only a kerosene lantern as the only source of light during the evening hours. For some people, this Robinson Crusoe-like way of life would be unbearable compared to the comforts and luxuries found in a developed nation. For Phil Dennis, Ph.D., a professor of anthropology in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work, living in a village, such as this one in Nicaragua, presented an opportunity to learn more about the culture of local Miskitu people while teaching as a professor at a local university in a nearby city.

For 11 months, Dennis taught a medical anthropology course at the University of the Autonomous Regions of the Caribbean Coast in Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua. While teaching at the university, Dennis said he lived with Miskitu speaking villagers in Awastara, a village 40 miles north of Puerto Cabezas on the Atlantic Coast. In his spare time, he worked alongside villagers in fields, attended church services, and helped catch green sea turtles at sea. His interactions with his Miskitu friends became part of his research that was documented in a book manuscript he recently completed. Dennis said he cherishes the experiences he gained from living on the east coast of Nicaragua as a U.S. Fulbright Scholar.

“The Fulbright Scholars Program has been tremendous from the beginning,” Dennis said. “For me, having a Fulbright Fellowship is a chance to do what an anthropologist does, which is to live with people and immerse yourself in their culture.”

For more than 55 years, the U.S. Fulbright Program has given numerous students, educators and professionals the opportunity to expand on their intended areas of study to conduct advanced research. Professors have the chance to serve as visiting faculty members at a university in a foreign nation under the Fulbright Scholar Program. The Fulbright Student Program is available for U.S. students who are graduating seniors or graduate students. International scholars and students travel to America under the Visiting Fulbright Scholar Program. Each Fulbright recipient has a unique experience while participating in the program.

Each year, 800 scholars and professionals travel internationally to participate in this academic exchange program. During the 2002-2003 academic year, two alumni and one professor at Texas Tech University have been selected to be a part of the U.S. Fulbright Scholars Program. The student and professional scholars will be involved in facilitating various research projects while experiencing the beauty and essence of another culture.

For nine months, Jan Kamler, Ph.D., a May 2002 doctoral graduate of Texas Tech, will study abroad in Eastern Poland as a Fulbright Student Fellowship recipient. The former doctoral wildlife science student from Kansas City, Kans., will study the red deer population. During his study, Kamler said he will examine the impact of wolf predation on red deer while he works at the Mammal Research Institute in Bialowieza, Poland. While working at the institute, Kamler will conduct his research alongside other ecologists.

From his research, Kamler said he hopes to determine whether wolves are controlling red deer populations by preying on them. Kamler said Polish researchers began to examine how the population of red deer affected the conditions of their forests. According to Kamler, a vast number of red deer have overgrazed forests throughout Europe causing deforestation. He said he decided to observe the effects of wolf predation on Polish red deer because of his graduate work on the interactions of predators and prey in natural ecosystems.

“I think the most significant importance of becoming a Fulbright Scholar is that you get exposed to science, or whatever field you are interested in, while visiting another country,” he said. “It broadens your perspective in your field. It will be a valuable experience for me.”

Kamler said his Fulbright Fellowship allows him the opportunity to travel to Poland for the first time. While in Bialowieza, Kamler said he looks forward to gaining insight into Polish culture.

Viswanath Subbaraman, a May 2002 Texas Tech graduate with a master’s of music performance and a native of Big Spring, Texas, will delve into the world of music as a part of his Fulbright Student Fellowship. For eight months, Subbaraman will conduct research into orchestral conducting while working as an assistant with the Ensemble Orchestral de Paris in Paris. During his study, Subbaraman also will visit area libraries to look at manuscripts of orchestral music composed by French composers Hector Berlioz and Claude Debussy. As a part of his research, Subbaraman said he also will observe and study under the orchestra’s conductor, John Nelson. Through his research efforts, he said he hopes to grasp the interpretational challenges faced when performing classic and contemporary French orchestral music.

Subbaraman said he chose to conduct his study in Paris because of the city’s rich history in classical music. He said the city is an ideal location to examine the origins of French orchestral music because this genre of music began there. By visiting Paris, Subbaraman said he will gain an understanding of the direction of the French classical repertoire today. Prior to his Fulbright Fellowship, Subbaraman studied in Aubagne, France, for several weeks in 2001.

“My visit to Paris will be an exciting opportunity for me to be exposed to great music,” Subbaraman said. “I think it is a great opportunity to study where the music originates.”

Prior to receiving a Fulbright Student Scholarship, Subbaraman said he had studied overseas. During his undergraduate studies, he went to Vienna, Austria, for a semester. By visiting Vienna, Subbaraman said he gained a different perspective on music and became more open-minded to issues affecting other cultures.

“The Fulbright Program gives people an opportunity to explore other cultures and bring their knowledge of that culture back as they return to the United States,” Subbaraman said. “To me, everyone should be required to go to another country to study.”