Author Archives: Antonia

A great first day of meetings! If it’s all like this, it’ll be a) super-interesting and b) quite hard work! I started off with a visit to an organisation called Wireless Philadelphia, a public/private/NGO tie-up to deliver broadband to as many Philadelphians as possible. A bit out of my knowledge zone, but interesting on theContinue reading “First meetings”

So, here I am! I got here totally hassle-free, which is always the best way. Things started this morning with a coffee with Tiffany my Programme Officer and then we headed to the Eisenhower Office. I met lots of people there, including short meetings with the Director, Vice-President, Alumni Director etc. Got my laptop (they’reContinue reading “Arrival in Philadelphia”

So, almost exactly a year after applying for the Eisenhower Fellowship, here I am in sunny Philadelphia! I left Brussels on 16 March. Abi drove me to the airport (thanks Ab!) and came in to stand in the queue with me, even going off to get coffee and croissants. I wasn’t super-overjoyed at the thoughtContinue reading “Here at last!”

Today’s the last day as a Spokesperson! and on Monday I’ll be in Philadephia. Seems there are a million things still to do (all a little more difficult when you have a caiprinha fueled hangover after a great goodbye party with Brazilian barmen making fresh cocktails…). Packing tomorrow, flight is Sunday morning. I’m out tonightContinue reading “Brussels’ last post”

Less than two weeks now till I leave! I can’t believe it. Tiffany from the Eisenhower organisation, has been amazingly helpful in the programme design – there must have been times when she just wished I’d stop spamming her with ideas for the programme! It’s coming together now and though there will be changes, it’sContinue reading “Getting closer”

I got a first draft of the ideas for my programme while I was off sick last week. As well as the places I suggested (Boston, New York, Washington and surroundings, Seattle, San Francisco, Oak Ridge) it looks like I will be heading to Chicago, San Diego, St Louis, Arizona, Connecticut and maybe Florida! IsContinue reading “The first ideas are coming together”

So, the start of 2008 means things are getting going on the Eisenhower side. My Programme manager – Tiffany – has been allocated, and I’ve sent her my ideas. Alan Leshner of AAAS sent me some very useful suggestions, which I have passed on.  I’m probably going to go to the AAAS meeting in  Boston inContinue reading “2008 dawns”

So I’ve sent in my forms and necessary information for the visa, but it all went quiet over there, at least for a while. We got an e-mail from the Director on Friday, and our programme  officers will be appointed next week. So then we’ll be able to start putting together the itinerary. I metContinue reading “Cranking it up…slowly”

Had a note from the Eisenhower people this week.  The interesting bit wasn’t so much what they said but who it was sent to – my first chance to see who else will be with me.  From the ones I could tell (ie not using hotmail or yahoo accounts), there’s a Bosnian, Swiss, Kiwi, Kenyan,Continue reading “Getting a feel for the programme”