The “Ovidius” University of Constanta held its 2018 RAAS – Fulbright Conference "Ideology, Identity, and the US: Crossroads, Freeways, Collisions” on October 4-6. On the first day of the conference, the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission organized the roundtable “Sharing the Fulbright Experience.”

The roundtable was attended by U.S. Fulbrighters (Esther Thyssen, Rhode Island School of Design; Barbara Nelson, University of Bucharest; Monica Cure, Biola University) and Romanian Fulbright alumni (Adina Ciugureanu, “Ovidius” University of Constanta; Monica Got, Bucharest University of Economic Studies; Diana Benea, University of Bucharest). The participants approached the topic from the perspective of their own experience and expectations, sharing whatever they found most relevant for the Fulbright academic exchange program. The roundtable, hosted by the American Corner, was moderated by Prof. Rodica Mihaila, Executive Director of the Fulbright Commission.

On October 2nd, in the presence of Romanian and American guests, the American Studies program at the University of Bucharest kicked off the new academic year with a special ceremony attended by current students and alumni as well as faculty and staff. Special welcome addresses were given by Ms. Merry Miller, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Embassy, Dr. Rodica Mihaila, Executive Director of the Fulbright Commission, Dr. Octavian Roske, Head of the English Department and Professor of English and American Studies, Dr. Roxana Oltean, Coordinator of the American Studies program and Professor of English and American Studies, as well as Ms. Karina Patrascanu, PhD student in American Studies and alumna of the American Studies program. Dr. Mihaila addressed the audience in her capacity as pioneer of the institutionalization of American Studies in Romania and founder of the American Studies program at the University of Bucharest, encouraging the students to make the most of the opportunities afforded to them by their chosen study path.

This past weekend, the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission and the Fulbright Educational Advising Center-EducationUSA took part in the Bucharest 2018 fall edition of the Romanian International University Fair (RIUF), a landmark on the map of educational fairs in Eastern Europe.

The Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission and its EducationUSA-affiliated advising center were once again present at this year’s fall edition of RIUF in Bucharest, sharing information on undergraduate or graduate study opportunities in the U.S., the application process and financial aid options.

The FEAC-EducationUSA adviser also delivered a presentation during the fair, providing more in-depth information on the Fulbright program and the path to studying in the U.S., at an undergraduate or graduate level.

The two-day event proved successful, with over 300 people stopping by our booth to inquire about study opportunities in the U.S. All prospective applicants were also happy to learn more about the Fulbright grants, as well as the wide range of free resources, services and events that FEAC-EducationUSA offers, in order to assist them in the application process.

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.