All three of my visits to the United States have been fruitful. After my first visit to the country in 1987, I was inspired to introduce a new subject, American culture, to the Georgian students at Tbilisi University. My second visit in 2001 as a member of the International Visitors' Program, directed by the United States Department of State, entitled, "American Studies Curriculum Design Program," encouraged me to establish the first American studies department in Georgia at the Tbilisi International Black Sea University (IBSU).

By applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program, I hoped the long stay in the United States would give me a chance to advanced interdisciplinary research on American civilization. I also hoped to develop new linkages with American colleagues, thus expanding my understanding of the United States. At the same time, my goal was to establish a partnership with some U.S. higher institutions for initiating an exchange program between universities.

The Fulbright Scholar Program created all the suitable conditions to accomplish these goals. My six-month stay was enough to examine the complex historical forces shaping American peoples' lives including, the debates and conflicts surrounding the most momentous issues in national life. Moreover, I've been able to prepare a new course in women's studies that I will introduce to my junior students at IBSU in the spring semester. The Fulbright Scholar Program provided me with this new inspiration as I see how popular the course is in this democratic country. I think it will be beneficial for the newly fledged Georgian Democracy!

I know that, aside from advancing in your field, the Fulbright Scholar Program envisages establishing mutual understanding between people. The two most exciting events from this point of view were delivering the lecture, "How the U.S. is Viewed from the Republic of Georgia?" for the undergraduate students at the George Washington University's American studies department on October 27, 2004 and the lecture, given through the Fulbright Occasional Lecturer Program, "After the Velvet Revolution: The Republic of Georgia and the United States in a Changing World," delivered at the University of Connecticut on November 5, 2004.

"After giving these lectures, the audience asked a lot of questions and we had interesting discussions. After both lectures, the positive appraisals of the prominent American studies scholars Professor B. Mergen from George Washington University and Professor R. Gross from the University of Connecticut overwhelmed and thrilled me-an "impudent" Georgian lecturer of American culture. It meant a lot to me, and I'll never forget these experiences.

By delivering the Occasional Lecture at the University of Connecticut, I first exposed Georgian culture to American students and academics and then started a collaboration to establish a partnership and exchange program that will help further increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of Georgia.

While in the United States, the two things that most amazed me were:

1. The United States has domestic problems concerning social security, health care and even education. Nevertheless, this country is always willing to help other countries in the world, especially those affected by any kind of collapse or devastation.
2. The patience of American people.

In the end, I want to say that after every visit to the United States, I return home with new inspiration and more cultural experience about this huge and enchanting country. I willingly share it with my people. The Fulbright Scholarship Program is superb! The organization of all kinds of activities together with the staff members of the corresponding administrative departments is amazing!