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.
Final Meeting of the 2025-2026 U.S. Fulbright Grantees in Romania
On June 11–12, the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission organized the final meeting of the 2025-2026 U.S. Fulbright grantees in Romania. The event was hosted by the Multicultural Center of Transilvania University of Brașov, continuing a longstanding tradition of bringing together the cohort at the end of the academic year. Participants were welcomed by Adrian Lăcătuș, Dean of the Faculty of Letters, who greeted the group on behalf of the university.
The meeting provided an opportunity for U.S. Fulbright Scholars, Student Researchers, and English Teaching Assistants (ETAs) to reflect on their experiences in Romania and present highlights of their teaching, research, and community engagement activities. Throughout the year, the grantees contributed to a wide range of academic, cultural, and artistic initiatives, collaborating with Romanian universities, schools, and local organizations across the country. Their presentations showcased the impact of their work and the meaningful connections they developed with Romanian colleagues, students, and communities.
The program concluded with a special musical recital by U.S. Fulbright Scholar and violinist Kevin Lawrence, accompanied by pianist Diana Ichim. Their performance offered a memorable finale to the presentations and discussions.
On the second day of the meeting, the group visited the Libearty Bear Sanctuary in Zărnești, a wildlife welfare project that provides a natural habitat for bears rescued from abusive captivity. The visit provided participants with an opportunity to learn about the sanctuary’s work while enjoying the natural beauty of the area.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the U.S. Fulbright grantees for their dedication, enthusiasm, and contributions throughout the year, and to Adrian Lăcătuș and the Multicultural Center of Transilvania University of Brașov for their generous hospitality and support in hosting this event.