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 United States and Romania: Strategic Partners for 25 Years
© Photo: U.S. Embassy in Romania
The U.S. Department of State marks the 25th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership between the United States and Romania through a press release that highlights the focus points of our bilateral relations: security cooperation, economic prosperity, mutual understanding and shared values.
The United States and Romania: Strategic Partners for 25 Years – United States Department of State
Announced by U.S. President Clinton during a historic visit to Romania in 1997, the Strategic Partnership is a visionary political and diplomatic act, rooted in a shared commitment to democratic values, that became a landmark of Romanian foreign policy. Beyond its strategic role and political dimension, the Strategic Partnership expands and strengthens bilateral relations in a number of domains, including those of education and research by fostering mutual understanding through academic and cultural exchange programs such as the Fulbright Program.
The Fulbright Program has been present in Romania since 1960, bringing durable changes on Romania’s path to progress and democratization, profoundly influencing lives and professional careers, and creating strong bonds between the peoples of Romania and the United States. After the fall of the communist regime and the inauguration of the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission in 1993, education and research have played a significant role in the bilateral relations as a framework for enhancing the cooperation between the two countries. Since 1960, over 3500 Romanians and Americans participated in these exchanges. Accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals of all backgrounds had the opportunity to study, teach, and conduct research, helping to build mutual understanding, making meaningful contributions to communities abroad and at home, and working together to face regional and global challenges.
Read also the declaration of the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission’s Board of Directors, highlighting the cooperation in the domain of education and research and its substantial contribution to the development of relations between our two countries.