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Martyna Nełka's report

My American Dream
Reflections of Martyna Nełka about the U.S. based on her participation in the 2008 Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Initiative: Summer Institutes for
Youth, July 7-31, 2008

What is the US like? Is it a country of total freedom, a paradise for emigrants, a land where everyone can find a save haven among the infinite mosaic of cultures and nationalities, the place where dreams come true and people find their happiness on every corner? Or maybe we should change the angle? Maybe the American Dream faded away along with wars, crises, maybe America's arms are no longer wide open for the rest of the world? To what extent has the US become an imperialistic state governed by neoconservatives, where the tolerance and freedom no longer exist?

These are stereotypical beliefs about America, which dominate in the societies all over the world. A year ago I wouldn't expect I would have an opportunity to go there and see with my own eyes how the situation in this country really looks. Thanks to the Department of State, US Embassy in Warsaw an the Foundation for Rural Development (to whom I'm really grateful and to whom I'd like to thank for giving me the opportunity to experience all the things I'm about to describe now) I was able to take part in Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellowship Initiative – a unique program for students from Eurasia and the US.

I was honored to be one of the two representatives of Poland. Together with my friend Krzysztof Jankowski (after BFTF called „Unpronounceable Chris”) I spent three and a half weeks in States, mainly at the Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Both of us were members of a group of older students – Diplomats, who arrived a week after the group of younger students – Founders. We began our stay with a one-week course at WFU. We took citizenship, media and social movements classes. I especially enjoyed the last one, because of many Polish accents present during the classes. Students had to prepare a presentation about some kind of social movement and I was happy when I found out, that Taras from Ukraine and Petya from Bulgaria decided to tell us about Polish Solidarity. Me and my friend Alea (from Moldova) contributed to this subject telling others about the Polish Orange Alternative.

The first week was get-to-know-each-other time. We spent long hours talking, having fun and tasting the exceptional American life style. When I say „tasting” I have in mind also the literal meaning of this word – all of us had to adjust to American cuisine with all that sugary food and huge meals. But shortly we became addicted to it and each of us put on a couple pounds.

The most important for me was the second week in USA – the study trip to Washington, Philadelphia, Jamestown and Williamsburg. We had a once-in-a-lifetime chance to visit the US Department of State. It was pretty exciting, especially taking into consideration all the security issues and the way we were welcomed there. We had a chance to talk with people who work there and take part in simulation about Darfur, for which we had been preparing during the first week in Winston-Salem.

A very important moment during the trip was our visit at the Newseum – the museum of media. For me, as a political science and journalism student, it was amazing experience. Of course it would be unforgivable if I didn't mention about two days we spent in Busch Gardens – one of the biggest amusement parks in America. The time I spent there I will never forget. Along with other Fellows we took a ride on every single roller coaster and although we were scared to death, we had so much fun.

When we came back to North Carolina, we were invited to stay with American host families for one week. Me and Karima, student from Denmark, were staying with O'Rourkes. They treated us as if we were members of their family. They showed us how the regular American family lives and functions. They organized a Thanksgiving Dinner for us (although it was a middle of July), took us to their synagogue and familiarized us with the most popular forms of entertainment (including shopping and bowling).

At the same time we had many activities at the WFU. We were preparing ourselves for the parliament session. We formed parties, established our own internet newspaper, organized elections for the leader of parliament, created our own political platforms and wrote many bills we discussed during the two-day session during our last days in Winston-Salem. This was a busy week, especially since we also did some community work and took part in talent show which was a part of farewell dinner organized for Fellows and host families. I am proud to say, that Chris and I taught some student to dance the Polonaise and we presented this dance during the show. And taking into consideration the fact that we were preparing for it only during three lunch breaks, it was astonishing!

The last day and night at WFU were extremely hard for everyone. Although the staff organized a kitsch party for us, nobody could dance or have fun, because we were so sad we were leaving. Those 24 hours was a time of constant crying and talking – we didn't want to waste even a second of the time we had left in Winston-Salem. We had to look really lousy after staying up all night, with our eyes red from crying.

And then the amazing adventure ended. But only for some time, because it's not that we won't be able to see each other or have a chat. There's always a reunion and of course Facebook – a space where we can share ideas and memories. We already do this and I hope we won't stop.

What did this experience give me? Well, I met so many amazing people, whom I will remember for the rest of my life. I'm also happy I was able to meet Alan Louden (a prime coordinator of the program), Linda Petroul and other members of the staff. These three weeks were a great lesson of history, politics, but also of tolerance and of life in general. As a compulsive book reader and movie watcher I thought I knew I lot about United States. And I did. But I found out so many new things and I became free from any prejudices I might have had in the past.

What will I miss about the USA the most? The people, their kindness and always smiling faces, the atmosphere at the Wake Forest University, the feeling I had when I was walking toward the Lincoln Memorial, where all the historical moments I find so important took place. I will miss the constant excitement, the adventure and the Starbucks. But I hope I will be able to visit this country again and see it in all its magnificence. I'd like to find my self on the road, just like the characters of Jack Kerouac's book, see everything from New York to San Francisco.

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