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Nidhal Hadiji Kefi contacted us on the day the MEPI BIP program celebrated its first anniversary, thankful to have been a part of this life changing experience. As a result, Nidhal volunteered to write a piece describing her thoughts and memories as she began the program. We would like to send a special thanks to Nidhal for taking the time to share her reflections!! BIP’s First Anniversary The 31st of July 2004 was the start of a new voyage for forty one ambitious and determined young Arab women, and the beginning of the BIP network. We all came with similar aspirations and dreams combined with our different backgrounds and ideas. I remember the first day; most of us were suspicious as we didn’t know each other. Groups were formed from those who traveled together from the same country or same area. Personally, I was very tired but very excited at the same time. The first three days in Washington, DC I couldn’t sleep, not only because of the jet lag but because I was already missing my husband! Also, I was in the USA for the first time surrounded by 40 women with who I would share a unique experience. I couldn’t imagine how it would be and what kinds of challenges were coming. Moreover, I was impressed by all the women after reading their biographies. I thought it was so pleasant to be in such a group of elite, “la crème de la crème.” I was also somehow intimidated. What first comes in mind today when I remember the program is not really the first days, but the exciting moments we later shared; our team work and presentations at the university, our gatherings in the hotel to celebrate someone’s birthday, our shopping trips, the number of similar pictures we could take with everyone’s camera, and our songs in the bus, even though I was not often singing! After all, I realize that BIP was not only successful regarding its elementary objectives as mentioned in the program announcement (professional development, integration of American business culture), it surpassed them and added something more precious to me; a network that was woven through the four months and that no one of us expected to be as important and concrete as it is today. It [the network] was more obvious in Tunis during our first alumni conference when we all met again six months later. It was one of my happiest moments since I had left the US. One year after our first meeting in Washington, DC I personally believe that this network is one of the best things life has offered me. I am really fond and proud of it and I am sure many of us think the same. I hope all of us will keep this network active even when each woman will have to care for her family, her career and/or her business. I wish us to always be as supportive and close as we are today. So happy anniversary to the BIP group! Nidhal Hadiji Kefi |