Current Fulbright scholar Michael S. Jones recently spoke to the “Constantin Noica School of Wisdom” on the differences between Analytic and Continental philosophy. The Constantin Noica School of Wisdom is a monthly meeting of Bucharest academics and professionals hosted by Dr. Geo Savulescu, a Bucharest physician, painter, and author. Jones participated in their round-table discussion on Lucian Blaga in January and then was invited to return to explain Analytic Philosophy, which is a predominantly Anglo-American phenomenon. The hour-long presentation was followed by more than an hour of bilingual discussion and refreshments. He reports that the discussion was quite animated at times – the topic, which might seem a bit esoteric, succeeded in capturing the interest of the School. Dr. Jones has been invited to return for a future meeting on the relationship of philosophy to theology and religion.

The Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission and FEAC-EducationUSA team, benefiting from the support and collaboration provided by Jamie Beth Weaver, Fulbright ETA, joined the RIUF editions in Cluj and Galaţi on March 17 and March 19. Our team was glad to interact with hundreds of students who wished to inquire about study opportunities in the U.S.

On March 16, the Fulbright-EducationUSA team spoke to high school students about undergraduate programs in American universities during a presentation kindly and promptly organized by American Corner Cluj-Napoca. The presentation included insightful comments and observations made by Jamie Weaver, and concluded with a Q&A session, during which the Fulbright-EducationUSA team answered questions that tackled issues ranging from community college programs to graduate applications. On March 17, the RIUF spring edition in Cluj attracted a record number of participants, many of whom were keen to find out more about the American system of higher education. The Fulbright-EducationUSA participation in the fair included a public presentation of the Fulbright Award program, FEAC’s educational advising services and the undergraduate and graduate application process.

On March 19, the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission and FEAC-EducationUSA were glad to take part in the first RIUF edition in Galati, where the number of participants exceeded initial expectations. The Fulbright-EducationUSA team first delivered a presentation to the students and faculty of “Dunărea de Jos” University in Galaţi, followed by a public presentation at the RIUF fair, providing information on the Fulbright  Award competitions and U.S. undergraduate and graduate admissions.

Carla Baricz recently visited Cluj-Napoca as a guest lecturer at Babeș-Bolyai University, where she gave two talks: one in the English Department and one in the Department of Romanian Literature. In the course of her first talk, intended for a general student audience and entitled "What is a Dramatic Text? Playing Shakespeare, Reading Shakespeare, Making Shakespeare," she spoke about the materiality of the textual forms in which we encounter Shakespeare's work and the role of printers, stationers, and editors in "making" the Shakespeare that we have come to know and love. In her second talk, addressed to faculty and doctoral students and entitled "Ion Budai Deleanu: An American Re-Reading," she compared Ion Budai Deleanu's Tiganiada with a number of other European epics, from Virgil's Aeneid to Joel Barlow's Columbiad, discussing the cultural and political stakes of Budai-Deleanu's Enlightenment project. While in Cluj, Carla had the opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss her research with faculty members from both departments, to visit the Cluj National Theater and the Cluj Botanical Gardens, to enjoy the city's wonderful Old Town, and to see the astonishing exhibit „Romania's Ancient Gold and Silver” at the Cluj-Napoca Art Museum.

On March 14 and 15, the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission and FEAC-EducationUSA took part in the Bucharest spring edition of the most prominent educational fair in Eastern Europe, the Romanian International University Fair 2015 (RIUF).

Continuing a long tradition of strategic partnership with the Romanian International University Fair, the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission and its EducationUSA-affiliated advising center were once again present at this year’s spring edition of RIUF. Information on the Fulbright program and the path to studying in the U.S. was provided at the Fulbright-EducationUSA booth and during a presentation on U.S. study opportunities for both undergrads and grads.