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.
From Romania to Rutgers: Fulbright Scholar Cristina Chevereșan Explores the Legacy of Philip Roth
As a Fulbright Visiting Scholar hosted by Rutgers University, Professor Cristina Chevereșan, Director of the American Studies Center at West University of Timișoara, is pursuing research on the work of acclaimed American novelist Philip Roth while engaging with scholars and academic communities across the United States.
Following a guest lecture at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) on October 27, 2026, where she discussed Philip Roth’s The Human Stain and her experience as a Fulbright alumna and ambassador, Professor Chevereșan continued her academic engagements at Rutgers University and in Newark, New Jersey.
On November 4, 2026, she participated in “Nemesis: A Philip Roth Seminar on Pandemic Literature,” hosted by Rutgers University’s Department of Jewish Studies. Bringing together international Roth scholars, the interdisciplinary seminar explored themes of pandemic literature, civic engagement and culture, empathy, and the relationship between literature and historical reality, drawing on Roth’s novel Nemesis.
The following day, Professor Chevereșan joined “Philip Roth & Friends: A Community Forum,” co-organized by the Philip Roth Society and the Newark Public Library. Presenting under the title “Roth from Romania: A Fulbright Researcher’s Concerns,” she introduced her research project and discussed its emerging directions with scholars, editors, and members of the Philip Roth scholarly community.
Through her Fulbright fellowship, Professor Chevereșan is contributing to international conversations on American literature and culture while fostering academic exchange and strengthening connections between Romanian and American scholarly communities.