Dr. Roxana Oltean, Fulbright alumna and Professor of English and American Studies at the University of Bucharest, has published two books that offer insight into literary and cultural re-imaginings of the United States, on the one hand, and U.S.-Eastern European relations, on the other. In the book titled Thou Born, America. Manifestations of Leadership and Protest in Nineteenth-Century American Literature, dr. Oltean reads canonical literary texts through the lens of the “ethos of leadership” and the celebration of the utopia of unstoppable progress, as well as the voices of protest that raise concerns over the inequities of the present and the past projecting over an uncertain future. Dr. Oltean approaches a very different topic in her book titled Transatlantic Vistas. Patterns of Perception, U.S.-Eastern European Relations and Cold War Radio Broadcasting Beyond the Iron Curtain. The book is premised on the idea that radio broadcasts beyond the Iron Curtain reflect both the political priorities of the Cold War period, but also “the sharp self-analysis” of the notion of American national identity which underlies the agenda of U.S. foreign policy, with a focus on the impact it had on political and cultural developments in Eastern Europe.  

Professor Dr. Roxana Oltean teaches classes in nineteenth-century American literature and in Transatlantic Relations at the English Department of the University of Bucharest, and she is the coordinator of the graduate and undergraduate programs in American Studies. Her primary fields of publication and expertise include Henry James studies, nineteenth-century American literature, transatlantic studies. She is a Fulbright Alumna (2001-2002, Pennsylvania State University).

On December 7, the Fulbright-EducationUSA Advising Center was pleased to host an essay writing workshop taught by David Jimenez, Fulbright English Teaching Assistant. Making his way from Constanta, where he is currently teaching at Ovidius University, David kindly offered advice and provided essay feedback to the CCC (Competitive College Club) members of the Fulbright-EducationUSA Advising Center. FEAC advisees from Bucharest and Petrosani (connecting via Skype) were invited to read sample essays and discuss essay writing strategies designed to aid them in the application process. Going through the drafts written by the CCC members, David pointed out the differences between essay writing styles as taught and practiced in the U.S. and Romania and provided the attendees with his email address and slide show containing useful information about the school selection process and general essay revising tips.

On December 15, the Fulbright-EducationUSA advising team was pleased to deliver a virtual presentation on U.S. study opportunities, kindly hosted by the Information Resource Center at the US Embassy, for students at American Corner Bacău.

We took this opportunity to acquaint the students, mainly 11th graders, with liberal arts education and other advantages afforded by the U.S. higher education system, as well as provide them with useful tips on the application process, and encouraged them to take advantage of our resources and services.

Several of the participants voiced an interest in studying in the U.S. and were keen to ask questions, on topics ranging from the most popular majors pursued by their peers to athletic scholarships.