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.
Romanian Cultural Identity
Katherine Ruprecht, currently a Fulbright ETA Lecturer at “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galați, has published an article entitled “Romanian Cultural Identity After Admission to the European Union” in Volume 8 of Cultural Intertexts, the Journal of Literature, Cultural Studies and Linguistics published by the university. The article is a survey on the cultural identity of Romanians after Romania’s admission to the European Union as described by Romanians themselves. The publication is available online at: http://files.cultural-intertexts.webnode.com/200000080-a03f0a139a/Volume%208-2018.pdf
“The analysis revealed four prominent themes that give insight into specifically the political landscape of Romania through Romanian cultural identity after Romania’s admission to the European Union. Issues of concern for participants were the metaphorical marginalization of Romania politically and economically within the European Union and problems of corruption, but contrasted with a strong overall commitment still to staying within the European Union and simultaneously maintaining good relations with their non-European Union neighbors.”