Life After SUSI

Life after SUSI 2016

Updates from Alumni Scholars

By Alena Klimas, IIJ Projects Coordinator

SUSI Scholars at the Washington Monument in Washington, DC

The Study of the United States Institute (SUSI) 2016 scholars returned to their home countries in August. While in the United States, SUSI scholars visited Media outlets across the country and networked with Ohio University professors and media professionals. They brought diverse experiences, courses, and backgrounds. There were a total of 18 scholars from 18 countries from five continents. It was a socially and regionally diverse and talented group with unique academic specializations and interests. The SUSI summer institute is funded by an annual renewable grant from the U.S. Department of State's Study of the U.S. Branch in the Office of Academic Exchange Programs. The Institute for International Journalism (IIJ) at Ohio University, administered the six-week summer program.  The IIJ reached out to see what the scholars were doing back home at their home institutions. To no surprise, the scholars are doing amazing things back home and working to incorporate what they learned in the SUSI program (in the United States) into their professional and personal lives.  

---

Dr. Amel Abuzaid (Sudan) with Dr. Kofi Obeng-Asiedu, Program Officer at the U.S. Department of State.

Amel has returned to teaching at her home university. She teaches courses in the English Language for the Special Purposes of Communication, Media Laws and Ethics, and Communication Translation. Amel is also collaborating with different departments at her school in order to share her experience in the United States (and with SUSI) to students and colleagues.

Dr. Sofiene Mallouli (Tunisia), with Dr. Kofi Obeng-Asiedu, Program Officer at the U.S. Department of State.

Sofiene returned to Tunisia and will began teaching later September, teaching graduate and undergraduate seminars on Media Impacts; Pragmatics; Media and Politics; and Media Literacy. He has already included her SUSI experience into her lectures!

Rosette Leung - Hong Kong Baptist University

After returning to Hong Kong, Rosette reflected on her wonderful experience as a visiting scholar for the IIJ, as she became an integral part of the SUSI scholars’ experience for a few weeks. She learned from lectures but also from SUSI scholars. Rosette enjoyed and appreciated the “great opportunity for us to gain something from each other by sharing different views, values, and cultural experience” SUSI scholars. She touts SUSI as an amazing experience that she would one day wish to partake. She is now back home in Hong Kong teaching at the School of Communication at the Hong Kong Baptist University.

Dr. Ashfara Haque, University of Development, Bangladesh, with Dr. Kofi Obeng-Asiedu, Program Officer at the U.S. Department of State.

Ashfara has kept busy working on publications and a new research project. She has a piece recently published in a London based newspaper. She will also be teaching Broadcast Journalism with a focus on American Media. She will incorporate many of the visits to American media institutions. She also is in the process of developing an Environmental Journalism course with materials she obtained during her time with SUSI. Ashfara plans to continue to work on publications for international conferences and to pursue further study.

Ms. Joanna Spiteri- University of Malta

Joanna returned to her home in Malta but still misses the personal connection she made with other SUSI scholars. She has reflected on much of her experience with SUSI in her home country. Currently, she works at the office for Broadcasting Authority and is preparing lectures for a course on Gender in Communications. Joanna also has another research project in the works. She will be working with Dr. Aimee Edmondson on conceptualizing a code of ethics regarding gender issues and gender portrayal in the media. Joanna is also involved in the International Communication Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC). Her experience with SUSI has also contributed to her participation and formation of a regional conference in collaboration with the US Embassy in Malta and with AEJMC. Another project in the works is an exchange program between her university and a university in Ecuador!

Mr. Batzorig Tovuu - Mongolian University of Education

Batzorig is a general producer for the Mongolian National Public Service Radio and is a PhD candidate at the Mongolian University. He had a wonderful experience with the SUSI program and felt like he can now incorporate US media issues into his coursework. He also gained insight into how better to broadcast programs specifically focusing on development issues, such as the Communication for Development program at Ohio University.

Mr. Daniel Superville, University of Montevideo, Uruguay, with Dr. Kofi Obeng-Asiedu, Program Officer at the U.S. Department of State.

For Daniel, SUSI was a life changing event and has left him much to reflect on. He hopes to keep in touch with all of the friends he made during the program and continue to be an active alumni of the program. SUSI also challenged Daniel to think more about his course work. So, Daniel has spent time since his return rethinking about new prospects. He is now exploring options for his professional career and his future after his SUSI experience.

Dr. Fatma El-Zahraa Mohammed- Ahram Canadian University, Egypt

On social media and on a personal level, Fatma has shared her SUSI experience with friends, family, and colleagues. Fatma received hospitality and warm reception in the Athens community. She is currently working on a joint research project regarding terrorism and intends to publish it in a US journal. She also intends to participate in the AEJMC next year.

Mr. Jorge Cruz Silva- Pontificia Catholic University, Ecuador

Jorge is writing conference papers and his dissertation for his Ph.D. He will begin teaching classes titled: Research workshop; communications; and News writing 101 in October. He hopes to incorporate much of his SUSI experience especially his visits to The Budget, The San Francisco Giants organization, and NPR.

Ms. Nahria - STIKCOM Muhammadiyah University, Indonesia

Nahria returned to Jakarta in late August to continue her work with her university. She reflected on SUSI program and how the program “made significant changes in my life, my career, and my college with all kinds of benefits it offers.” In addition, Nahria talked to the local media in Jakarta about her experience with SUSI and with her trip to the United States. She will also be speaking with the US Embassy in Jakarta about SUSI and its benefits. Nahria facilitated the relationship between her university and the Department of Ministry of Research and Technology, which is the first federal connection at her university.

---

SUSI 2016 scholars on the last day of their stay in Athens, Ohio.