Katherine Ruprecht, currently a Fulbright ETA Lecturer at “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galați, has published an article entitled “Romanian Cultural Identity After Admission to the European Union” in Volume 8 of Cultural Intertexts, the Journal of Literature, Cultural Studies and Linguistics published by the university. The article is a survey on the cultural identity of Romanians after Romania’s admission to the European Union as described by Romanians themselves. The publication is available online at:
http://files.cultural-intertexts.webnode.com/200000080-a03f0a139a/Volume%208-2018.pdf

“The analysis revealed four prominent themes that give insight into specifically the political landscape of Romania through Romanian cultural identity after Romania’s admission to the European Union. Issues of concern for participants were the metaphorical marginalization of Romania politically and economically within the European Union and problems of corruption, but contrasted with a strong overall commitment still to staying within the European Union and simultaneously maintaining good relations with their non-European Union neighbors.”

The Fulbright team wishes you a wonderful holiday season and a very happy New Year!

Please note that the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission, Educational Advising Center included, is closed to the public until January 7.

Sărbători fericite!

The Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission organized its Winter Holidays Celebration on December 13 & 14. The event started with a reception organized at Casa Oamenilor de Știință, where the impressive group of U.S. Fulbright grantees met and interacted with representatives of the U.S. Embassy – among others present, Public Affairs Officer Merry Miller and Cultural Affairs Officer Scott Reese –, of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Fulbright Board of Directors, as well as Romanian alumni and friends of the program in a large number. The evening program included Christmas Carols interpreted by a group of professionals.

On the second day of the event, the group of American Fulbrighters visited the Parliament Building, Cotroceni Museum and in the evening participated in a concert at the Romanian Athenaeum. The grantees had a chance to learn more about Romania’s past and more recent history, and about its rich cultural traditions.

The two-days event was an excellent opportunity to discuss with the twenty-one grantees plus dependents about their experience during their first months in Romania, about their academic activities and adjustment to the new environment, as well as about their perspectives and plans for the 2nd semester.

Along four intensive days, over 80 Fulbrighters from over 40 countries, and various fields of knowledge, met in Raleigh, North Carolina for enriching their experience in the United States. They shared among each other and with the speakers their understanding, ideas and experiences on the security, more specific, food security, sustainable energy and policy, and disaster relief. The participants had the opportunity to discuss and network in different frames of work: panel discussions, small groups discussions, breakout sessions with representatives of various organizations (North Carolina Division of Emergency Management, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and North Carolina Department of Agriculture), interactive simulation, and site visits (Duke Energy’s Harris Energy and Environmental Education Center, North Carolina State Emergency Management Headquarters, and Food bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina - Raleigh Branch). One event included in the agenda by the North Carolina State University was highly enjoyed by the participants – the home hospitality dinner – which gave some insights on the American culture and living.

From Romania participated three Fulbrighters, Angelica Mariana Andrei, Marcela Slusarciuc, and Simona Ioana Stefan. There are multiple benefits of this event for each participant – extension of understanding of American security issues, networking and building of future partnerships, understanding of the variety of experiences and cultures, and share of own knowledge and experience.