Internationalization of Romanian Higher Education – The Role of the Fulbright Program

12 Apr 2021

On April 12th, 2021, the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission, in partnership with the Faculty of Political, Administrative and Communication Sciences (FSPAC), Babeș-Bolyai University, organized a live-streamed workshop on the role played by the Fulbright Program towards the internationalization of higher education in Romania.

The event brought together Romanian and U.S. Fulbright alumni, distinguished guest speakers from four major U.S. universities, representatives of the Fulbright Commission and of Babeș-Bolyai University.

The invited guests discussed about the significant contribution the Fulbright Program has had on the academic and cultural relations between Romania and the U.S., emphasizing its role in the institutional development of Romanian universities, not only in terms of research and teaching, but foremost in terms of advancing internationalization.

2021 marks the 75th Anniversary of the Fulbright Program. Since the program’s inception in 1946, over 400,000 people from 160 countries have participated in the Fulbright Program, enriching their education, advancing their careers, and making meaningful contributions abroad and at home. In Romania, the Fulbright Program has been present since 1960 and over 3400 Romanians and Americans have participated in these exchanges.

The recording is available here.

Alumni Stories

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.

Theresa L. Burriss
U.S. Fulbright Scholar, 2021-2022

Fulbright is not just about research and academic events. At least for me, it was also about meeting new people, experiencing the local food, trying to understand different values. For two months my wife and daughter (she is 9) were in Athens with me, and together we were able to travel to Orlando, San Francisco, and Washington. The experiences we had together were extraordinary, and my daughter was impressed enough to declare that she plans to come to college at UGA, probably around 2032.

Nicolae Urs
Fulbright Visiting Scholar, 2022-2023

"Writing about my Fulbright experience in the past tense is probably one of the hardest things I had to do in my adult life, not because I am unable to, nor am I the type of person who easily becomes overly nostalgic, but simply because it was an experience I would have never wanted to end. The further in time I get from it, the more I feel how it has changed me, how spending forty-five days immersed in such a transformative environment turned me into an even more focused professional, a better teacher and overall, an improved human being."

Maria-Cristina Mocanu
Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program, Fall 2022

"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.'"

Mary Claire Heffron
U.S. Fulbright Scholar, 2019-2020

"Looking back, I realize that the goals, hopes and dreams I had at the beginning of my Fulbright journey were far more modest than what was fully offered to me. Not just from an academic point of view, but the travels that I’ve made, the professors and colleagues I have worked with, the people I met and the entire cultural experience of having lived in the United States for two years, have been an axial part of this experience."

Anamaria Georgescu
Fulbright Student, 2020-2022

"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."

David Weindorf
U.S. Fulbright Scholar, 2010-2011

"I would say that the Fulbright TEA Program is ultimately about people. It is about a hardworking and committed team of professionals being there at your every beck and call. A collective effort meant to ensure a safe and rewarding time and space for each and every participant irrespective of their ethnicity, race, gender, religion or ableness. It is an enlightening lesson about democracy, acceptance and equity. Far-reaching and all-embracing!"

Mirela Sănduleanu
Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program, Fall 2022