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.
Participation in the First Fulbright Diversity Conference
On September 22-23, 2018, the German-American Fulbright Commission hosted the first Fulbright Diversity Conference, both as a culmination of its 10-year Diversity Initiative program and as a new initiative meant to support and help develop a more consistent Fulbright diversity strategy. The event brought together and energized an impressive number of Fulbright alumni, staffers and executive directors as well as current Fulbright ETAs in Germany. Six task forces, made up of Fulbright EDs, staffers, grantees and alumni collaborated both prior to the conference and during the event itself on drafting action plans and possible future recommendations for Fulbright Commissions in Europe, with the overarching goal of promoting a more diverse, equitable and inclusive framework within the Fulbright community and thus making the program more welcoming towards students from diverse backgrounds. The Romanian participation consisted of the invaluable input and tireless efforts of Jasmine Mangrum, Fulbright alumna and 2017-2018 U.S. grantee to Romania, member in task force 2 and main speaker at the event, and of the Fulbright educational adviser, member in task force 1, whose focus has been on developing best practice recommendations for pre-departure materials for incoming U.S. grantees.