Romanian Alumni Stories
"My Fulbright Scholar experience at Penn State University combined academic engagement, field research, community interaction, and cultural exploration, offering multiple perspectives on American society and higher education."
"As I had hoped, Fulbright is more than an academic experience; it is an opportunity to enrich knowledge, to create a bridge between cultures, and to understand that what unites us all is infinitely more important than what differentiates us as cultures."
"Being in the U.S. for nearly two months has provided me with indelible memories and knowledge – yes, even after 18 years of teaching, there is still much to learn. I came back to my classes with a plethora of ideas, photos, tips, strategies, tricks, fun games and useful activities that could improve my students' language skills and increase their love for this language, as well as this great country."
Fulbright allowed me to study technology and national security policy in the heart of the transatlantic world - in Washington, D.C., at Georgetown University, from which I graduated as Class Marshal. As a teaching assistant, I had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to engage with more than 100 students and tell them about my country, Romania, and its geopolitical importance, as well as our enduring Romanian-American strategic partnership. I am grateful for the experience of having been a student in the United States at a moment when America is celebrating 250 years and rethinking its position in the world. It would have not been possible without Fulbright!
"My Fulbright experience in Pennsylvania bore colorful and rich fruits of a scientific and cultural nature. The region is rife with Eastern European cultural heritage and was once the workshop and the powerhouse of America. This research visit enabled me to delve further into the fascinating world of microbial biominerals and to establish numerous connections with prestigious American scientists."
"For me, Fulbright came as a challenge for finding new ways of exploring development opportunities in an academic context I had always admired without having the chance to experience it. I started the application journey with little hopes for success, but Fulbright ended up being the most accomplishing program I have ever attended. Looking back, I feel like I can say the Fulbright Program was the period I felt I truly experienced an accelerated personal and professional growth."
"The Fulbright experience is truly life-changing. The values and perspectives I gained will stay with me forever. The nine months passed quickly and it felt like an intense boot camp, both professionally and personally."
"Being selected as a Fulbright Student has been an incredible honor and a truly life-changing experience. During my time at the State University of New York at Albany, I had the opportunity to learn from outstanding faculty and gain knowledge and skills that I am excited to bring back to Romania’s public health system."
"The Fulbright experience pushed me to listen more deeply, to reflect more honestly, and to lead with empathy. It reminded me that good teaching doesn’t happen in isolation—it grows through collaboration, connection, and shared purpose. I returned home with a renewed sense of purpose, confident in my ability to foster connections, encourage dialogue, and positively impact my students and community."
"When I found out I had been selected for the Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement (TEA) Program in Florida, I knew I was about to embark on a life-changing adventure. What I didn’t expect was how deeply it would impact me—as a teacher, a learner, and a global citizen."