New Level of Confidence

In a world full of opportunities, the picture of success is still often painted as a linear path: school, college, car, career, army, having a baby, buying a house, building a summer cottage – the sequence may vary, but the points remain. That makes sense; however, there are curious minds who sometimes just need a supportive kick to do things differently. Fulbright gave me that.

Cultural Learning

I love traveling and especially having an opportunity to live in another country to dive deeper into their culture: it broadens one’s perspective and makes one bolder. 

Genuine curiosity is something that I believe all Fulbright grantees are equipped with, and maintaining a curious mind requires new points of view, alternative approaches, and, of course, new social connections. At this very moment, I feel a little contradictory: here in the U.S., people are easier to approach (it is okay to give a call to your professor), but at the same time, career paths often seem quite conservative compared to what we are used to in Finland. 

Asking people “How are you doing?” right after greeting them on the phone was something that I brought to Finland from Uruguay, when I came back to Finnish working life. The question wasn’t intentional, just automatic, but I still remember how people’s voices changed when they answered it. Small talk culture helps us build collaboration, so why not?

In terms of Finnish and American culture, I realize that we share more things in common than I thought and have even more to learn from each other. Cultural exchange might feel uncomfortable when you are the one in action, but making a simple disclaimer where you come from will have more than a positive impact on the other side. That worked well in Finland and in the U.S., though I still think we all have plenty of room to become more open-minded.

They Say it’s a Big Deal

Being a Fulbrighter in the U.S. seems to mean more than in does in Finland – at least people know Fulbright very well here in the U.S.. On the other hand, in Finland we are quite shy to receive compliments, and being a Fulbrighter in the U.S. is the perfect way to learn how to thank for the compliments and be proud of one’s achievements – even for a shy Finn. 

Nobody will let you forget that you are something special. And there is no need to prove the opposite.

I think this is important for all of us to learn, because even conference vibes are different in Finland and the U.S. – and for us who want to represent Finland internationally, it is crucial to learn how to express yourself, have an elevator pitch, engage in small talk, and approach people with compliments, as well as also know how to receive them. All of that is learned while on a Fulbright term in the U.S., since nobody will let you forget that you are something special. And there is no need to prove the opposite.

Fulbright and NYU: Powerful Combo

I can’t refrain from repeating that my university choice was pure luck, thanks to my Placement Advisor. People around tend to say “Congratulations” after asking where I study, and I had no idea about NYU as a school before Fulbright. Since NYC is also a true megalopolis, things happen fast and it is nice to be always up for something, staying ready.

The Fulbright global network and NYU have opened so many doors and brought me to meet so many different people, that now, before my second semester ends, I already have too many options to choose from when it comes to strategic decisions. Continuing my career? Narrowing down my specialization? Entrepreneurship? Domestically or globally? With ambitions to grow or to enjoy? Of course, these options always existed, but they were theoretical, they were somewhere out there and, at the same time, nowhere. But now with the level of confidence which this combo provided me with, and with so many wonderful people around, these options are turning into ideas – and when the idea gets a deadline, it becomes true.

This is the final post in a blog series by ASLA-Fulbright Graduate grantee Lada Sokolova. Read the previous blog posts:

1. Fulbright: a Kick to My Social Climb from Karelia to NYC
2. The Work You Won’t Necessarily Like
3. Three Lectures Per Week Keeping You Busy
4. Personal but Maybe Helpful