Arkansas:abroad Podcast

The Fulbright Program is one of the leading cultural exchange programs in the world. With a presence in over 155 countries, the program that bears the name of one of Arkansas's most famous sons is alive and well. We take some time to talk with Dr. Allison Wallace, Fulbright Program Coordinator at the University of Central Arkansas, about how to go about applying, the steps needed and some of her personal experiences working with the program

For anyone who has done even a cursory study of Lebanon, it's not uncommon to walk away even more confused than before. Rife with religious and ethnic division, the country has one of the most diverse populations in one of the smallest areas in the Middle East. Perfect place to focus on as we continue to work on stories relating to freedom of worship and religious diversity. Cory Ellis joins us and gives us an overview of land of cedars.

We initially started off planning to do a podcast based on reactions to the death of Osama bin Laden from our correspondents across the Arab world. Unfortunately, one didn't call in and one was too exhausted to contribute. Cory Ellis and Kevin McCormack join us, until Cory loses connection in Lebanon. Kevin and I spend the night discussing the details, the mood around the country and the nebulous nature of Pakistani.

Last time, we went to Australia. This time, we venture with Brock Thompson to King's College London. What takes an Arkansan to London to earn his PhD in American Studies? What was the experience like? Did it help him once he got back to the States? Listen in! Brock Thompson published The Un-Natural State: Arkansas in the Queer South in 2010 and currently works at the Library of Congress.

Kevin Griffin calls in to talk with us about what he's seeing, what he's hearing on the streets in one of the world's largest cities: Tokyo, Japan. We take the time to talk about radiation, evacuations, supplies, Emperor Akihito and media hype. We follow up on some of the questions we asked last time we spoke with him and get a general update on the mood and situation in the capital of Japan.

As the situation at Fukushima Dai-ichi worsens, we make contact with Dr. John Krohn at Arkansas Tech University to talk about issues relating to the nuclear crisis. Radiation, reactor design, natural disasters and other topics are hit on as Dr. Krohn explains the technical aspects of the reactors and dispels rumor and hype. If you have any questions for Dr. John Krohn, don't hesitate to leave one in our comments! Dr. Krohn's CV: http://khaka.tk/11

Kevin Griffin, an Arkansas expatriate living in Suginami ward, Tokyo, shares his insight and opinion of the Sendai Earthquake's effect on Japan, Japanese society and himself. We manage to just avoid rolling blackouts and aftershocks to get this phlog out.

Tonight we talk with Michael Herring on his experiences studying with Carnegie Mellon's Entertainment Technology Center in Adelaide, Australia and Osaka, Japan. He talks on culture clash, Australian rules football and how his time abroad gave him a leg up in his career track.

Tony Fam, Seth Thomas and Daniel Green sit down and talk about Egypt, the Middle East, and all things in between. Democracy, foreign aid, revolutionary waves all come up in in this latest edition of the Arkansas:Abroad Podcast.

Cory Ellis messages Daniel Green after being transported to safety in Dubai

After a harrowing week in Cairo, Cory Ellis is being evacuated by George Washington University and will be in Dubai for a few days. His eventual destination? Lebanon, where Hizbollah had upended the political structure of the fragile nation and tensions simmering under the surface could erupt at any moment.

Cory Ellis, A:A foreign correspondent, has decided to evacuate Cairo with the rest of the American population there. The situation has become unpredictable and increasingly violent, and Cory feels it will be better to get out now than try and weather the storm.

On this edition of the A:A podcast, Daniel Green holds a roundtable discussion with A:A foreign correspondent Cory Ellis and newcomer Tony Fam. Tony, a graduate of the University of Arkansas Little Rock - Bowen School of Law, is a Coptic, Egyptian-American, brings unique insight to the table in this discussion with the A:A staff.

As the Mubarak regime pushes the curfew up to 4 pm local time, a duo of fighter jets begin to circle the Egyptian capital in a show of force. Cory reports that the situation in Cairo, while not calm, has begun to find some sort of rhythm as the city prepares to plunge into another chaotic night.

Night has fallen in Cairo. The ad-hoc network of checkpoints in the neighborhoods of Cairo have helped to create some semblance of order, although gunshots still ring out in the background.

Cory Ellis checks in once more from Cairo in the midst of a massive movement to overthrow the Mubarak regime. Since his last podcast, mosques have announced that all people are to turn on their lights (For some unknown reason). Water will become sparse, as it is announced that it will be cut off tomorrow morning. Other than that, there seems to be a momentary break from the continuous escalation of tension and standoffs that were seen earlier in the day. However, the night is just beginning in Cairo.

Following the call of sanctuary by the mosques of Cairo, a series of gunshots ring out in Cory's neighborhood. The mosques put out a call for the men in the neighborhoods to defend their communities. Almost immediately, checkpoints appear across Cory's neighborhood. Tensions flare as a van of suspected looters makes it way down the road.

Cory reports in from Cairo again. The mosques of the city have opened their doors as a safe haven to anyone who cannot make it home in time for the curfew or who feel in danger from the mobs roaming the streets. Cory also reports that people are arming themselves for self-defense. A theory is going around Cairo that Mubarak wants there to be chaos, so he can restore order and be seen as a hero.

After going into hiding with his neighbors, Cory and his neighbors retreat to the roof of their building to try and hold off an armed gang from entering their building. Later, the calls to prayer echo across the ancient city, mixed with intermittent gunfire.

Cory Ellis calls from hiding in Cairo after running into armed mobs targeting foreigners.