Ao abrigo de uma Bolsa Fulbright para Investigação e no âmbito do seu doutoramento em ‘Psychology’ da Universidade do Minho, Maria Vale desenvolveu parte da sua pesquisa sobre “technology-facilitated dating abuse among adolescents” na George Mason University, VA, EUA:
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Besides my research activities, I participated in American cultural traditions such as Thanksgiving, Halloween, Christmas, and New Year’s celebrations. I engaged in group activities, including attending a Christian church, dining out, enjoying live music events and basketball games, exploring local parks, and visiting museums, cultural landmarks, and nearby cities (e.g., Virginia, Washington, and New York). I also introduced aspects of my home country’s traditions, language, and academic perspectives through informal conversations with people from diverse backgrounds (e.g., US, Spain, Yemen, Ethiopia, Serbia, Tanzania, Japan). These interactions took place both in organized events, such as the Fall 2024 Scholar & Faculty Breakfast, and in spontaneous social settings.
Furthermore, I participated in shared meals where each attendee contributed a dish representative of their country, fostering cultural exchange and mutual understanding. To further enrich these interactions, I shared gifts characteristic of my home region, Porto, Portugal, as a gesture of appreciation and cultural exchange.
Fulbright, thank you so much for the opportunity.
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Thank you, Maria, welcome back!