"Due to the Fulbright scholar program I had the opportunity to conduct a four-months research at the Center for Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies at Georgetown University in Washington (https://ceres.georgetown.edu/researcherfeature_rotaru). During this period, I worked in one of the best university library in America, which stands out by its abundance of resources and is very research-friendly approach; I have met outstanding experts from the university I was affiliated with but also from other academic institutions, think tanks, public institutions; and I took advantage of being in Washington D.C. for attending great international conferences, debates, public presentations and discussions on my research topic. I have also conducted research interviews with policymakers from the National Security Council, Department of Defense, and House of Representatives.

During my stay at Georgetown University I conducted a part of my postdoctoral research on Russian foreign policy in the former Soviet space after 2009, which is to be published as a book this year. I was invited by the Center for Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies to present part of my research and I gave a presentation entitled "Eurasian Economic Union - A Sustainable Project of Reintegration of the 'Near Abroad?'”

It was one of the most lucrative periods of my academic experience. Giving the timeliness of my topic and American interest towards the current evolution of Moscow’s foreign affairs, I felt during my research visit in Washington D.C. as being in the right place at the right time."
                                  
                                   Vasile Rotaru, Fulbright Scholar, 2015-2016, Georgetown University, Washington DC