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Manijeh Hadian Dehkordi
I work at an Iranian cultural heritage organization
in Tehran. I am a chemist. I do research on the conservation of
relics such as pottery, textiles, paint, paper, and metal. My organization
has an exchange with the Smithsonian Institution, so I came to Washington
to work in the Conservation and Scientific Research Department,
Freer Gallery of Art. I am researching pottery from the Ozbaki archeological
site in Iran. The fragments I am analyzing are from three different
periods: Sialk I (between 6000 and 1000 BC), Sialk II (approximately
5000 BC), and Iron Age (2000 – 1000 BC).
This is my first time to the United States. As
an Iranian I thought it would be difficult to make friendships with
Americans. It was all something new for me, so I could not imagine
what to expect.
I arrived at Dulles airport at midnight, and I
was very nervous because I did not know what to do. I called ISH
and a friendly woman named Anne from Indiana answered the phone.
As soon as I talked to her I relaxed. She spoke slowly and gave
me instructions, and was even waiting for me at the door when I
arrived! She showed me to my room and I felt lucky that she was
my new roommate. Sometimes we would sit together and have talks,
and we both learned a lot.
I especially like living in this beautiful old
house because I work with old things. The atmosphere is so happy
here. Everyone has been kind and helpful to me. When I ask questions,
people guide and help me, always with generous attitudes.
On my last night at ISH I collaborated with
other ISH students to make an Asian Dinner for everyone. We had
students from China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, and
Israel all cooking together. I made a dessert with saffron, rice,
rose water, and pistachio. The evening was very special. I am sorry
to leave and will miss all of my new friends. In Persian we say
there is a passage between hearts that transcends borders and languages.
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