American Alumni Stories
“My time in Romania is a stained-glass window of images–the rush of the Bucharest metro, […] afternoons building furniture with a German expat named Brunhilde, the Moldovan ballerina and Ukrainian didgeridoo player who couchsurfed with me on their way through Sibiu, the attic windows staring like eyes over the squares and alleyways of Sibiu, and frosty evenings in the Piata Mare as Christmas music mingled with the scent of vin fiert—and I’m grateful for all of it.”
"My time as a Fulbrighter was about so much more than the research I was honored to work on. It was about building lasting relationships, learning about Romanian culture, and sharing my experiences with friends."
"I brought back enduring connections with colleagues and friends and a resolve to return to reconnect and continue to explore the hidden corners of Romania and maybe find my own special spot in a secluded 'sat.'"
"In all, I feel fulfilled despite a truncated Fulbright experience. Thankfully, I got a taste of all my goals, in some fashion, before the pandemic. And it’s only a matter of time before I come back to fully explore Romania and Europe, hand-in-hand with my fellow colleagues and friends."
"Although my Fulbright cohort underwent an experience that is (hopefully) unlike any other, I loved my time in Romania and learned so much. I am so grateful to the Fulbright Program and the Romanian Commission for this incredible opportunity that I will remember for the rest of my life."
"My memories of my Fulbright semester are a whirlwind of colors and sensations: the whimsical architecture of Bucharest streets—familiar, yet also very much changed—the smell of coffee in Old Town, the bustle of the Gara de Nord railway station and its trains—in which I somehow spent an inordinate amount of time—the outlines of the mountains in Brasov, the arches of greenery of Rose Park in Timisoara, and the salty bitter taste of the Black Sea on a scorching hot weekend in June."
"My academic experience in Romania was wonderful and I hope I contributed as much as I gained. But my daily experience was every bit as rich, and there too I hope I was able to contribute as much as I gained."
"My Fulbright experience has indeed played a transformative role in my life, both professionally and personally. On a professional level, it has given me a unique perspective on how people in the rest of the world view our culture, and since my research area involves nationalism in America, it has been an eye opener."
"I just wanted to say how deeply and profoundly my exchange to Romania has affected my career. Truly, Romania is my home away from home. I have so many friends and colleagues there and have now visited well over a dozen times. I remain a champion for the program and laud the beauty of Romanian culture at every opportunity."
"I am delighted with the group of students taking my classes at the Gheorghe Dima Academy and also with the support I enjoy from the rector and his administrative staff. Although a tertiary music school is by definition an elite institution, I’m still amazed at how well these students understand English."