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Reflections on my First Fellowship Week in Columbus, Ohio

Published: Aug 01, 2024

Country: Tanzania

Shadrack Thomson Manyogote is a 2024 Fellow in the Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Civic Engagement. This program is sponsored by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is administered by the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) at the University of Massachusetts Boston in partnership with Humanity and Inclusion (HI). The following blog post was written by guest author Shadrack.

I’m thrilled to share my experiences exploring best practices for disability inclusion in the United States of America. I’m currently sharing from my host site, the Nisonger Center at the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.

My journey from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to Boston, Massachusetts, was uneventful and took approximately a day. Upon my arrival on Thursday, May 9, I received a warm welcome from the passionate and kind PFP staff, Dr. Heike Boeltzig-Brown and Christa Preston, who drove me from Boston Logan Airport to the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel.

We spent two days in Boston, attending a Program Orientation Event, where I presented my follow-on project, and exploring both Boston and Cambridge.

A Tanzanian man posing for the camera, holding the Tanzanian flag outside Boston Logan Airport after arrival. A “Welcome to Boston” billboard and a fire hydrant are visible in the background.
Figure 1: Shadrack posing for a photo with the Tanzanian flag upon arrival at Boston Logan Airport, with a “Welcome to Boston” billboard in the background.

On Sunday, May 12, I flew to my host site in Columbus, Ohio, where I was welcomed by my host mentor, Dr. Jessie Green, Research Assistant Professor at the Nisonger Center. She kindly drove me to my accommodation and assisted me with settling in.

On my first official day at the Fellowship placement in Columbus, Jessie took me to her office, and we explored the surroundings. I was impressed by how accessible the buildings were for people with disabilities.

The following day, I was delighted to meet the staff working in inclusive education at the Nisonger Center. Their hospitality made me feel immediately at home. I had the opportunity to discuss my follow-on project and share about the work I have been doing in Tanzania to promote inclusive education.

Two people, an American woman and a Tanzanian man, posing for a photo with many American flags behind them. There is a sign that reads “Fields of Heroes” next to them.
Figure 2: Dr. Jessie Green (left) and Shadrack (right) posing for the photo at the Fields of Heroes in Columbus, Ohio (flags were in commemoration of Memorial Day).

I spent the first three days of my Fellowship participating in virtual meetings on inclusive education, where I gained valuable insights into best practices for inclusion.

On the fourth day, Jessie and I visited the Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy, where I met Dr. Mathew Brock, an Assistant Professor of Special Education. During our conversation, I learned a lot about US disability policies that will benefit my project. Mathew also gave me a book titled “It Isn’t Inclusion Without Peer,” which focuses on supporting students with and without disabilities to learn together. He promised to collaborate with me on developing materials for my project and work in Tanzania.

Two people, an American man and a Tanzanian man, posing for a photo outside an office. The words “Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy” are visible on the wall behind them. Next to them is a glass case mounted on the wall displaying pictures and photos.
Figure 3: Dr. Mathew Brock (left) and Shadrack (right) posing for a photo outside the Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy at the Ohio State University in Columbus.

On the last day of my first Fellowship week, I had a great opportunity to participate in community service. Together with Jessie, I went to the Lifeline Christian Mission Columbus Center, where I helped pack food for hungry patrons. I was very happy to be part of this effort.

In the upcoming three weeks, I look forward to meeting various stakeholders, visiting schools, participating in a book club, attending mentoring meetings, and much more!