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.
Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms – International Field Experience in Romania
From April 21 to May 5, the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission had the pleasure of welcoming a group of 12 U.S. educators as part of the Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program International Field Experience. This marks the first time Romania has hosted this component of the program, which brings together K–12 educators from across the United States for a two-week professional and cultural exchange.
The first week of the program took place in Bucharest, where participants engaged in an exploration of the Romanian education system. Through conversations with policymakers, university faculty, and Fulbright alumni, they gained insight into current educational priorities and challenges. Interactive sessions focused on teaching practices and classroom realities, while school visits provided opportunities for direct engagement with students, teachers, and school leaders.
Alongside the academic component, participants also experienced Bucharest’s cultural landscape, including a guided city tour and an evening visit to the Romanian Athenaeum, offering further context to Romania’s cultural and historical heritage.
Following their time in the capital, the group continued their journey into four host communities—Buzău, Iași, Roman, and Sibiu—where they spent a full week immersed in local school environments. Working side by side with Romanian teachers and Fulbright alumni, the educators observed and co-taught lessons, participated in classroom discussions, and exchanged perspectives with students and school staff.
Across these diverse settings, they experienced a wide range of educational contexts, from STEM and robotics activities to foreign language, arts, and social studies classes, as well as teacher roundtables and student-led initiatives. Together, these experiences offered a close-up view of everyday school life across Romania and highlighted both commonalities and local specificities within the education system.
This phase of the program was made possible thanks to the dedication and generosity of the host schools and teachers:
- Buzău: Liceul Tehnologic „Alexandru Ioan Cuza” Buzău – Corina Moise Poenaru
- Iași: Colegiul Național „Costache Negruzzi” Iași – Cristina Mocanu
- Roman: Colegiul Național „Roman-Vodă” Roman – Beatrice Neagu
- Sibiu: Colegiul Național „Octavian Goga” Sibiu – Cosmina Almășan & Colegiul Național Pedagogic „Andrei Șaguna” Sibiu – Ioana Opriș
Beyond the classroom, each host community offered a deeper window into local history and culture through guided visits, community activities, cultural events, and informal interactions with educators and students. These experiences further enriched the professional exchange by situating learning within its broader social and cultural context.
Upon returning to Bucharest, the group gathered for a debriefing and closing program, where they reflected on their experiences across host communities, shared insights from their classroom observations, and connected these perspectives to their own teaching practice. Their reflections highlighted not only differences in educational contexts, but also shared values and approaches to teaching and learning.
The group of U.S. educators stood out throughout the program for their openness, curiosity, and generosity in every interaction, qualities that contributed significantly to the depth and quality of this exchange.
The Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission extends its sincere appreciation to all partner schools, host teachers, speakers, and colleagues who contributed to the success of the program. Their commitment helped create meaningful professional encounters and lasting connections across classrooms and communities.