The Fulbright Center in Finland hosted the 2016 European Fulbright Conference, titled “Crossing Borders for Global Partnerships”, between June 18 and June 22. Over 90 participants, including both Fulbright leaders and stakeholders, from over 40 countries on both sides of the Atlantic came together for this conference, funded by the U.S. Department of State, to share best practices and map out future exchanges.

The participating countries also had a chance to showcase materials illustrating best practices in an exhibition organized in the entrance area of the main conference hall. The displays ranged from success stories and local solutions to outreach materials, sample publications, and small posters presenting unique programs and activities in Europe.

Ronald E. Hawkins, Counselor for Public Affairs, U.S. Embassy in Bucharest, Marjorie Stern, Cultural Attaché, U.S. Embassy in Bucharest, and Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission Executive Director Rodica Mihăilă all took part in this event.

Felix Zaharia, 2012-2013 Fulbright grantee at Harvard Law School, joined the U.S. State Department as a Transatlantic Diplomatic Fellow, at the beginning of this year. He covers outer space, and environmental issues in the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs. You can find a sample of his work at http://www.state.gov/e/oes/sat/spaceweather/forum2016/index.htm

Cristina Chevereșan, Associate Professor at the West University of Timisoara, has been awarded the distinction “Awesome Professor” at the Bologna Professor Gala held in Alba Iulia earlier this month. During the ceremony organized by the Student League of  the „1 Decembrie 1918” University in Alba Iulia  (LSUA), 90 Romanian academics from across the country received this special award. According to representatives of the National Alliance of Student Organizations in Romania (ANOSR), an “Awesome Professor” has earned the attention and respect of students through “the joviality and ease with which they make themselves understood, through their oratorical gifts and through conveying their trust in the students’ ability for self-development and comprehension”.

Cristina Chevereșan was the recipient of a Fulbright Senior Award in the field of American Studies, at Harvard University, Massachusetts, back in 2010. She was designated a Fulbright Ambassador by the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission in 2013.