Hi! My name is Julia, and I’m so excited to explore Tajikistan with you!
I grew up in Los Angeles, California, and recently graduated from Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, where I studied Economics and English. After graduation, I packed my bags and moved more than 7,000 miles from home to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. I’m spending the year here as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant.
In Dushanbe, I lead educational and cultural programs at the American Space. I also teach English. My students range from 12 year olds to 70 year olds, and our classes cover everything from conversation and vocabulary to American culture, movies, and professional skills. I’m also taking classes in Tajik, Russian, and Farsi. I had never been to Asia before this adventure, so it's been a real culture shock!
I have always been curious about other cultures and parts of the world. My mom is from Iran, so I grew up hearing stories about life in another country, speaking some Farsi with my family, and learning how history and culture are so tied to who we become. Living in Central Asia gives me the chance to explore a region that is both completely new to me and deeply connected to my roots.
Outside of teaching, I love dancing, skiing, hiking, running, reading, writing, and traveling. In Tajikistan, I hope to run a half marathon and go swimming in the local creeks. I also love meeting new people and asking lots of questions, which makes living in a new country especially fun! Since arriving in Tajikistan, I’ve already learned Tajik dances with my host family, tried new foods, eaten four watermelons, attempted to communicate in several different languages, and gotten (mostly) used to calling a completely unfamiliar city home.
Through Reach the World, I want to show you what everyday life in Tajikistan is actually like. There are almost no Americans here, so it’s a very unique and special place! Being an American here is a big responsibility, since I'm often the first American someone has ever met. Even though so much is different (there’s no mint chocolate chip ice cream), my trip is a lesson about what people in very different parts of the world have in common.
Most importantly, I hope you’ll be curious and ask me lots of questions. I can’t wait to discover Tajikistan together!
Want to learn how you could be a Fulbright Scholar like me? The Fulbright Program is the United States government's flagship international exchange program. Fulbrighters foster mutual understanding between the United States and partner nations, share knowledge across communities, and improve lives around the world. Learn more by clicking here!
