"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."
Simona Preda
Fulbright Visiting Scholar, 2025-2026
Home University: University of Bucharest
Host University: George Mason University
Field: Eastern Europe History/Public Diplomacy
Institutionally speaking, my Fulbright experience brought together two extraordinary worlds: the privilege of working at the fabulous Library of Congress and the opportunity to be part of the vibrant academic community at George Mason University. Yet my experience extended far beyond these affiliations.
Living and working as a scholar in the Washington, D.C. area placed me at the crossroads of an unparalleled constellation of academic, cultural, and social resources that only the U.S. capital can offer. I had expected the fellowship to be a remarkable experience both professionally and personally, but my Fulbright Fellowship surpassed even my highest expectations, proving transformative in ways I could not have anticipated.
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. I am grateful and overwhelmed for everything.
Romanian Alumni Stories
"The first two months of my Fulbright Scholar experience at Penn State University afforded me a dynamic mix of activities: time in the library, attending postgraduate Leadership courses taught by Professor Mark Brennan – UNESCO Chair on Global Citizenship Education for Sustainable Peace through Youth and Community Engagement within Penn State Global – conducting field research in nearby rural communities, and meeting new people in various settings."