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.
The Pre-departure Orientation for 2022-2023 Romanian Fulbright Grantees
On Thursday, June 23, the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission hosted its Pre-departure Orientation Seminar devoted to the Romanian Fulbright grantees and independent students leaving for the U.S. to study, teach or conduct research in the 2022-2023 academic year.
The event started with a series of welcome speeches by distinguished U.S. and Romanian officials: Mr. Sandeep Paul, Information Officer at the U.S. Embassy, Ms. Janina Mirela Sitaru, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Remus Pricopie, President of the Commission’s Board of Directors, Dr. Dragoș Ivana, Fulbright Ambassador, and Dr. Mircea Dumitru, Executive Director of the Fulbright Commission. The speakers insisted on the importance of the Fulbright program in creating academic and cultural connections in a complex and changing world, helping to build mutual understanding between our two countries and to find solutions to critical international concerns.
After the welcome address, the participants had the opportunity to interact with Ms. Amanda Dixon, Consul at the U.S. Embassy, who provided specific details and advice on J & F visas. Next on the agenda, Romanian and U.S. Fulbright alumni conducted several panel discussions, offering practical information about living and studying in the U.S. to the current grantees starting their Fulbright experience in the coming months. Concluding the seminar, Dr. Julie Leventhal, U.S. Fulbright Scholar from the University of North Texas, coordinated the workshop “Ways to Improve Emotional Resilience in a New Environment. Addressing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the U.S. Academia and Beyond” to help the grantees overcome the pressure of adjusting to a new environment.
The Reception held at Casa Oamenilor de Știință provided the participants with yet another occasion to meet with Fulbright alumni, partners and friends of the Commission and to celebrate this day within the community of Fulbrighters. We wish all the best to the 2022-2023 group of Romanian students and scholars and look forward to hearing from them as they embark on their Fulbright adventure!
The list of 2022-2023 Romanian Fulbrighters is available here. For more photos, visit the Commission’s Facebook Page.