This three month Fulbright experience gave me my sixth visit to the United States. It was, however, the first time I visited the country for research purposes.

When I arrived at Oklahoma State University (OSU), my brother, who is working on a Ph.D. in chemistry at the university, and my host, Professor Gary Foutch, helped me a lot. I was, therefore, able to start my research the day after my arrival. Dr. Foutch provided me with a nice office and gave me all the necessary literature regarding my research on the desalination of water.

My stay at OSU was an opportunity for me to benefit from America's experience in desalination, especially from the experimental integrated project on farm drainage management in Westside San Joaquin Valley, California. Dr. Foutch, as an expert in ion exchange process, consulted and provided me with many documents relating to this project. The California experiment gave me the opportunity to learn about the techniques that remove salt from water using a specific ionic exchange. In this process, irrigation water was adjusted not only to prevent damaging the soil but, in some cases, chemicals were also used in the recovery/exchange process to serve as nutrients for the soil or sellable commercial products. This method is not yet available in Morocco.

With my Fulbright experience, I was able to explore the potential of using salt ground water for agriculture in the Marrakesh region in Morocco. My first work consisted of analyzing the quality of water from many different wells from the Marrakesh region through the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) method. Then, together with Dr. Foutch, we proposed a water treatment plan that is easily adapted to water chemistry. The goal is to develop selective processes to economically remove salts from ground water in specific areas. The water composition is basic to the design and determines the proper way to produce the desired effluent. I believe my experience at OSU was fruitful and am glad to have had the opportunity to work with such a competent researcher.

Dr. Foutch and I are now planning to submit a joint Fulbright Alumni Initiatives Awards proposal to develop cooperation between our institutions. This project will fulfill two objectives. First, it will establish cooperation between OSU and Cadi Ayyad University by providing researcher and student exchanges in the water field. Second, it will benefit Morocco with the experience and technology for treating salt water and turning it into usable irrigation water. This will have great importance to my region's economic development and will help solve the increased problem of the lack of fresh water for many areas in the Marrakesh region.

The grant period was not only a great research opportunity, but it was also an excellent opportunity for me to learn about American people. During my stay, I combined work with pleasure. Along with my family, we visited many cities in this big country including Dallas, Texas; Little Rock, Arkansas and Memphis, Tennessee. My two kids were thrilled by their visit to Elvis Presley's home in Graceland. We also had the opportunity to listen to some beautiful music.

My three months grant not only allowed me to increase my scientific expertise in the treatment of water by learning more from the accomplishments of my colleagues in the field salt water management, but it also gave me a chance to experience the American social and cultural traditions first hand. My neighborhood and friends in Stillwater invited me to a number of their parties and barbecue at the lakes and other places.

In addition to its scientific merit, the Fulbright Scholar Program has given me a very positive impression of the American people. I hope that the U.S. administration will reflect the acceptance of the American people and their wiliness to accept people as they are. The two most important things that I have come to appreciate in United States are the high quality of services that facilitate the learning experience (for example, from my home computer, I was able to access a large number of periodical databases and online resources) and the high capability of integrating foreign people. There are no "ghettos" for foreigners in United States. Unlike the case in some other countries, I never felt like a foreigner here. I am thankful for all the people who helped make my Fulbright experience an agreeable one.