Romania took hold of my heart in 2015 and since then has consumed my mind and soul. As with any genuine commitment, my relationship with this beautiful, complex country has grown and deepened over time as I have learned of its many tragedies, as well as its many triumphs. I have surrendered myself to Romania. [...] As I continue my Romanian journey, I marvel over the resiliency and fortitude of the people. I am fortunate to have developed close relationships, familial in many ways, with many Romanians. And I am eternally grateful to have been granted a Fulbright and honored to become part of this amazing community.
Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission Staff Meets with Students at University of Bucharest & ASE
On November 6 and 15, representatives of the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission and the EducationUSA-affiliated Fulbright Educational Advising Center visited two universities in Bucharest to meet the students keen to find out more about the Fulbright Award programs and independent study opportunities in the U.S. The first event took place on November 6, in response to a kind invitation from the American Studies Department, the University of Bucharest, for us to participate in the American Culture Week, celebrating US culture and education. The second presentation, on November 15, was hosted by the Center for American Studies of the Bucharest University of Economic Studies/ASE as part of the International Education Week – a larger event for students, in particular, focusing on international culture, study abroad programs and academic exchange opportunities.
Both presentations mainly addressed the Fulbright Student Award and independent applications to graduate programs in the U.S. The students joined us to learn more about the application steps, funding, school selection and the required documents. In addition, Dr. Diana Benea, a Lecturer within the American Studies Department of the University of Bucharest advised the participants to explore the US study programs in their specific field and told them about her own experience as a Fulbright Senior researcher in contemporary American social theater at CUNY Graduate Center. Drs. Teodora Serban-Oprescu and Catalin Albu, Fulbright Senior alumni and professors within ASE, kindly shared their experiences as Fulbright scholars at Roger Williams University Rhode Island and the University of Dayton Ohio, and encouraged the students to prepare applications.
We would like to thank Dr. Diana Benea and the American Studies Department, University of Bucharest, as well as the Center for American Studies of the Bucharest University of Economic Studies and its coordinator Dr. Elena Nicolae, for their warm reception and for the careful organization of the presentations. We are also looking forward to our further collaboration on events and activities dedicated to US culture and education.