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.
Pre-departure Orientation for 2023-2024 Romanian Fulbright Grantees
On June 15, the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission held its Pre-departure Orientation Seminar dedicated to the Romanian Fulbright grantees and independent students leaving for the U.S. to study or conduct research in the academic year 2023-2024.
The event began in the morning with welcome speeches by distinguished guest speakers representing the U.S. Embassy in Romania, the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Fulbright Board of Directors, and the Romanian academia, who shared their thoughts on the Fulbright program and congratulated the grantees.
Throughout the day, the Romanian Alumni, together with several U.S. Grantees, participated in panel discussions, offering practical information and guidance to the participants. The Romanian Alumni also shared personal impressions about their grant in the U.S. and their re-adjustment upon return, as well as about their projects as an outcome of the award. Specific details and advice on J&F visas were provided by Thomas Bills, Consul and Visa chief, Consular Section, U.S. Embassy Bucharest, who joined us for a presentation and kindly answered questions from the audience. Dr. Laura Chezan, U.S. Fulbright Scholar 2022-2023 at Babeș-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca and Associate Professor at Old Dominion University, involved all the participants in a workshop addressing up-to-date topics such as diversity, equity and inclusion in the U.S. academia and building emotional resilience in a new environment.
The one-day event concluded in the evening with a reception held at Casa Oamenilor de Stiinta to honor the Romanian grantees, the alumni and partners of the program.
We wish all the best to the 2023-2024 group of Romanian students and scholars and look forward to hearing from them as they begin their experience in the U.S.!