Author: Missy Gluckmann

Missy Gluckmann is a speaker agent, founded a globally recognized brand in study abroad, and exercises her passport muscle frequently. She loves connecting inspiring people with audiences. She is a mom to a spirited son and loves all that he re-teaches her about everything she thought she knew in life.

Cultural Perspectives on Female Maids in India

"Sideways on a Scooter" by American journalist Miranda Kennedy is about the complex relationships between women in India. Shortly after completing this book, I watched "Lakshmi and Me," a PBS documentary about filmmaker Nishtha Jain and her relationship with her young maid, Lakshmi.

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Grants for Language Training

Here is some information about generous funding for language training:

American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS is now accepting applications for its 2012-2013 Title VIII Grants for Research and Advanced Language Training programs in Central Asia, the South Caucasus, Southeast Europe, Moldova, Russia, and Ukraine. Only U.S. citizens are eligible for these awards.

The application deadline for all Title VIII fellowships is October 1, 2011.

Please note that Title VIII Research Scholar Program and Title VIII Combined Research and Language Training Program must begin between June 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013; and must be completed by September 30, 2013. Title VIII Southeast European Language Training Program offers fellowships for Spring 2012 and Summer 2012 only.

Fellowships will be offered in three categories:

*Title VIII Research Scholar Program: Provides full support for three- to nine-month research trips to Russia, Central Asia, the South Caucasus, Southeast Europe, Ukraine, and Moldova. Fellowships include round trip international travel, housing and living stipend, visa support, medical insurance, archive access, and logistical support in the field. Open to U.S.graduate students, post-doctoral scholars, and faculty. Annual deadline: October 1st.

*Title VIII Combined Research and Language Training Program: Provides full support for research and up to ten academic hours per week of advanced language instruction for three-to-nine months in Russia, Central Asia, theSouth Caucasus, Southeast Europe, Ukraine, and Moldova. Fellowships includeround trip international travel, housing and living stipend, tuition, visa support, medical insurance, archive access, and logistical support in the
field. Open to U.S. graduate students, post-doctoral scholars, and faculty. Annual deadline: October 1st.

*Title VIII Southeast European Language Training Program: Provides fellowships for graduate students, faculty, and scholars to study language
for spring 2012 and/or summer 2012 in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina,Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, and Serbia. Open to students at the MA and Ph.D. level, as well as post-doctoral scholars and faculty, who have at least elementary language skills. Deadline: October 1st.

For a full list of countries eligible for each fellowship, please see our website:  https://researchfellowships.americancouncils.org/

Funding for these programs is available through American Councils from the U.S. Department of State’s Program for Research and Training on Eastern Europe and the Independent States of the Former Soviet Union (Title VIII). All competitions for funding are open and merit based. All applications will
receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, political affiliation, or disability.

Applications are available for download at: https://researchfellowships.americancouncils.org/ or by contacting the American Councils Outbound Office. Applications must be postmarked by the application deadline date.

For more information, please contact:
Russian and Eurasian Outbound Programs
American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS
1828 L St. NW, Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20036
Telephone: (202) 833-7522
Email: outbound(at)americancouncils.org

30 Mosques: Ramadan Roadtrip 2011 Plans!

Bassam Tariq and Aman Ali, 30 mosques co-founders.

Aman Ali and Bassam Tariq are gearing up for their 30 mosque Ramadan Roadtrip 2011 – their plan is to visit Alaska, Hawaii and the other states that the missed on the first trip. 30 mosques, 30 states, 30 days – all during Ramadan in the month of August.  Knowing these guys as I do, they’ll do it despite the exhausting schedule!  But, as the expression goes, it takes a village and therefore I’m blogging about it to ask for you to help spread the word.

Here is a video of Aman and Bassam talking about the 2011 plan:

Here is how you can donate to the project:   No amount is too small: $5, $10 or whatever you can afford!  Just know that your donation will go toward the sharing of authentic stories about Muslims in America.

Meeting Aman and Bassam in 2010 at a local mosque was one of the highlights of my own personal exploration of spirituality in America. It helped me to address my own stereotypes and to better understand myself, my country and Islam.

I have had the honor of bringing Aman and Bassam to campuses across the US this past year. You can read more about the response people had to their presentations across the country.  Needless to say, we were all humbled by the grace of their message and their wisdom that extends well beyond their years.

If you are interested in booking the 30 mosques presentation at your college, university or organization, click here or email info@melibeeglobal.com.

Meanwhile, I’d like to thank Aman and Bassam for inspiring so many of us.  They have even inspired me to explore my own road trip!  Any ideas?  (I’m serious!) 🙂