On April 4 and 5, the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission, represented by Romanian Program Director Corina Danaila, visited Baia Mare to meet with students and scholars keen to find out more about the Fulbright Award programs and study opportunities in the US. The visit came in response to a kind invitation from the Faculty of Letters, North University Center in Baia Mare, Technical University of Cluj Napoca, for us to participate in the International Education Week – an event focused on study programs abroad and academic exchange opportunities, dedicated to local students, researchers and professors.

On April 4, two presentations aimed at different segments of the public took place at the Faculty of Letters. The first event focused on the Fulbright Student Award and independent applications to graduate programs in the U.S. The second presentation was dedicated to researchers and scholars eager to find out more about the Fulbright Senior Award and the specifics of this type of academic and cultural exchange in the U.S. Both events had as special guests U.S. Fulbright ETAs Anna Claspy and Damaris Bangean, who shared with the audience details about the U.S. higher education system, as well as their ongoing experience with the Fulbright Program in Romania. Damaris is currently affiliated with the University of Oradea, while Anna is teaching English classes at the Faculty of Letters in Baia Mare, this spring semester.

The following day, a presentation designed for the high schoolers interested in studying in the U.S was generously hosted by “Vasile Lucaciu” National College of Baia Mare. An audience ranging from 9th to 11th graders had the chance to learn more about the U.S. higher education system and received advice on how to best approach the application process.  We encouraged prospective applicants to take advantage of the test preparation materials available at the American Corner within “Petre Dulfu” County Library of Baia Mare and to keep in touch with the FEAC team via online advising. Anna Claspy, also present at this event, elaborated on the concept of “liberal arts” education and gave the students an overview of the academic life in the US and its advantages either as a local or an international student.

We would like to thank the North University Center in Baia Mare, Technical University of Cluj Napoca, for their warm reception, especially to Professor Mircea Ioan Farcas, the Dean of the Faculty of Letters, who carefully coordinated this educational event and saw to the logistics for the Fulbright presentations.