Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission Newsletter September 2011
1. Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission
Education in the
American Way
Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission
NEWSLETTER
Bucharest, September 30, 2011
Volume IV, Issue 3
Commission News
Graduate and Undergraduate
Table of Contents
► From Romanian Fulbrighters
Commission News
Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program
(TEA) Grantees in Washington DC
Welcoming the U.S. Fulbright Grantees to Ro-
Updates from Current Fulbright Student
mania for 2011-2012 Academic Year
Fulbright Researcher in Gender Studies at Colum-
Pre-departure Orientation for Romanian Grant-
bia University
ees 2011-2012
Junior Fulbright Grantee, Awarded the Romanian
Workshops for Improving the Romanian Higher
Press Club Award for Best Feature Writing
Education System
The Postdoctoral Grant Program for Romanian
Applicants is Still Open Graduate and Undergraduate
Interview Phase of the Junior Fulbright Award
Selection Apply, Be admitted, Get Financial Aid
Interview Phase of the Hubert H. Humphrey CollegeWeekLive: International Day, Oct. 13
Award Selection Libraries’ Night FEAC-U.S. Embassy Special: Oct.
Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program 1
Romanian Finalists 2012-2013 U.S. Study and FEAC Support Prominent at RIUF
Fulbright, the Freedom to Study 2011 Fall Edition
Celebrating International Education Week, Nov Comprehensive Virtual Advising: The Enriched
14-18, FEAC style FEAC Section on the Fulbright Website
New EducationUSA Partnerships in Support of
► From U.S. Fulbrighters Your U.S. Admission
The Joy after U.S. Admissions: Pre-departure Ori-
New Book Published by U.S. Fulbright Alumni entation
Ronald F. King and Paul Sum FEAC Sets New Global Records for Undergraduate
U.S. Fulbright Hays Continuous Involvement in Financial Aid from U.S. Universities
Research Activities FEAC Develops Innovative Media Resources
Award for U.S. Fulbright Alumna Lauren Her- U.S. Culture Club on Demand during Vacation
mele From the Students for the Students: Fall Intern-
News from U.S. Fulbright Alumnus Paul Sum ships at FEAC
http://www.facebook.com/
Romanian.US.Fulbright.Commission
www.fulbright.ro
2. Bucharest, September 30, 2011
Volume IV, Issue 3
Commission News
Welcoming the U.S. Fulbright Grantees to Romania for 2011-2012 Academic Year
We are pleased to announce the new U.S. Fulbright grantees for the 2011-2012 academic year are arriv-
ing these days. A total of 8 senior scholars and 8 juniors will teach and undertake research in universi-
ties located in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Bacau, Iasi, Petrosani, Suceava, Sibiu, Braşov, Constanta and
Timişoara. Following the tradition of the program, the American grantees will participate in an Orienta-
tion Conference, intended to help the new grantees adapt easier to their new Romanian environment.
They will also have the opportunity to meet high Romanian and American officials, representatives of the
U.S. Embassy in Bucharest and the Fulbright Board of Directors. We will be back with details and pic-
tures in our next issue.
Pre-departure Orientation for Romanian Grantees 2011-2012
On July 7, the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission organized a pre-departure orientation in honor of
the Romanian grantees and independent students starting their study program in the U.S., academic
year 2011-2012. Fulbrighters, Hubert H. Humphrey and Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program
grantees had the opportunity to meet high officials of the U.S. Embassy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
members of the Romanian Fulbright Board of Directors, American and Romanian Fulbright alumni, pro-
fessors and researchers. The Romanian and U.S. alumni conducted different sessions related with the
Academic Environment in U.S., Living in the United States, the Culture Factor, Q&A sessions and work-
shops in order to introduce the new grantees to the American environment. More pictures here.
Workshops for Improving the Romanian Higher Education System
The Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission has joined the endeavors of the Romanian higher education
sector to promote a number of policies expected to have a significant short and long term impact on the
entire university system by organizing a series of workshops dedicated to the Management of student
services, Research management and the Management of the internationalization of campuses. The work-
shops were funded by the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest, the U.S. Department of State and the participating
Romanian universities. The Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation Funding
was another important partner in organizing the workshops. The events were attended by Provosts and
other decision-making university staff members, as well as representatives of the Romanian Ministry of
Education. The most recent two events took place as follows:
- September 8-9, 2011, the Workshop on Research Management. The event was hosted by Politehnica
University in Bucharest was conducted by Dr. Andrei Ruckenstein,
Vice President and Associate Provost for Research at Boston Uni-
versity.
- September 23-24, 2011, the Workshop on Management of the
Internationalization of Campuses took place at the National
School of Political Studies and Public Administration in Bucharest.
The workshop was conducted by Dr. Patti McGill Peterson - Presi-
dential Advisor for Global Initiatives, American Council on Educa-
tion and Dr. Barbara A. Hill - Senior Associate for Internationali-
zation, American Council on Education. More pictures here.
2 www.fulbright.ro
3. Bucharest, September 30, 2011
Volume IV, Issue 3
Commission News
The Postdoctoral Grant Program for Romanian Applicants is Still Open
The Fulbright Senior Award Competition for postdoctoral grants, academic year 2012-
2013 is still open. Professors, researchers and professionals may submit an application
form including the proposed project in their field of specialization by November 7. Please
find more details on the program on the Fulbright website: http://www.fulbright.ro/
news.html
Interview Phase of the Junior Fulbright Award Selection
The Junior Fulbright Award program for the academic year 2012-2013 has
reached its interview stage. After the assessment made by U.S. and Romanian
specialists in the eligible fields of the program, 25 applicants have been desig-
nated to compete in the Fulbright Junior interviews on September 19, 20. Inter-
viewees were notified on their results at the end of September, 2011.
Interview Phase of the Hubert H. Humphrey Award Selection
The interview phase of the Hubert H. Humphrey selection was carried out on September 27. The inter-
view panel had the mission to nominate candidates who demonstrate best their leadership ability, com-
mitment to public service, program objectives and plans, academic professional and personal qualifica-
tions and need for the program. Designated nominees will represent Romania in the final stage of the
competition to be held in the U.S. Final results will be received by February, 2012.
Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program Romanian Finalists 2012-2013
We’re pleased to announce that all six Romanian nominees were selected as finalists for the Teaching
Excellence and Achievement Program (TEA). TEA is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural
Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, and implemented by IREX, a Washington, DC-based nonprofit
organization. The Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program provides international teachers with
unique opportunities to develop expertise in their subject areas, enhance their teaching skills and in-
crease their knowledge about the United States. The Romanian finalists are high school teachers in dif-
ferent fields, from English to mathematics or biology, from different cities in Romania.
Fulbright, the Freedom to Study
The Fulbright program in Romania was present in a one-hour live show hosted by Radio France Interna-
tional (RFI) Bucharest on Monday, July 25. Dr. Anca Peiu, University of Bucharest, Cezar Ghioca, stage
director, C. Tanase Musical Theatre, both alumni of the program, together with Cristina Modreanu, Edi-
tor-in-Chief of The Stage magazine, and a Fulbright Senior 2011-2012, and Mihai Moroiu, Fulbright
Commission Executive Director A.I. have spoken about the Fulbright cultural and educational exchanges
and their impact at global, institutional and personal level. More details at http://www.rfi.ro/articol/
asculta-rfi-ro/fulbright-libertatea-studia
Celebrating International Education Week, Nov 14-18, FEAC style
International Education Week is a worldwide op-
portunity to celebrate the benefits of interna-
tional education and exchange. This joint initia-
tive of the U.S. Department of State and Depart-
ment of Education is part of America’s efforts to promote programs that prepare U.S. citizens for a
global environment, as well as attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experi-
ences in the U.S.
3 www.fulbright.ro
4. Bucharest, September 30, 2011
Volume IV, Issue 3
Commission News
► FROM U.S. FULBRIGHTERS
New Book Published by U.S. Fulbright Alumni Ronald F. King and Paul Sum
The book edited by Ronald F. King and Paul Sum entitled Romania under Basescu: Aspira-
tions, Achievements, and Frustrations during His First Presidential is comprised of seven-
teen contributions from scholars in Europe and North America, examining the Basescu
period from a variety of theoretical and empirical perspectives. Four other Fulbrighters
are among the contributors of the book: Radu Dudau, Gabriel Badescu – Romanian Ful-
bright alumni, John M. Polimeni and Jonathan Stillo – U.S. Fulbrighters to Romania.
U.S. Fulbright Hays Continuous Involvement in Research Activities
U.S. Fulbright Hays alumnus Jonathan Stillo was featured in the U.S. Embassy's
MAP Project. The MAP project is designed to document the extent, depth and di-
versity of the U.S. presence in Romania and includes monthly profiles of Ameri-
cans working in Romania. Jonathan Stillo talks about his rich experience in Roma-
nia as a medical anthropologist and his work to raise awareness on tuberculosis
disease. For more details, please follow the link below.
http://romania.usembassy.gov/policy/map/jonathan-stillo.html
Also, following Jonathan Stillo’s workshop at the U.S. Embassy in Romania more
articles on tuberculoses disease in Romania appeared in the Romanian media:
- http://medlive.hotnews.ro/interviu-jonathan-stillo-specialist-in-antropologie-medicala-in-romania-vii-
zilnic-in-contact-cu-persoane-bolnave-de-tbc-fara-sa-stii-sunt-avocati-profesori-jurnalisti-si-nu-auzi-
nimic-despre-ei.html
-http://www.adevarul.ro/life/sanatate/medicina_clasica/
Tuberculoza_nu_este_o_boala_a_saraciei_0_551345187.html
Award for U.S. Fulbright Alumna Lauren Hermele
U.S. Fulbright alumna Lauren Hermele was awarded with Honorable Mention at the
Annual National Photography Competition organized by Camera Club of New York
(CCNY), one of New York’s oldest not-for-profit arts organizations. The picture was
made in the Romanian village of Crit, during Lauren's Fulbright grant. More details at:
http://www.cameraclubny.org/2011_juried_winner_pages/l_hermele.html
News from U.S. Fulbright Alumnus Paul Sum
Paul Sum, U.S. Fulbright grantee to Romania in 2009-2010 returned to Bucharest as a
team member for the Romanian Research Assessment Exercise (http://sisec.ecs-
univ.ro/). Also, as the Chair for the Society for Romanian Studies related groups sec-
tion of the American Political Science Association, he was also involved in the Annual
Meeting of the American Political Science Association in Seattle, Washington. The panel
of the Society for Romanian Studies took place on September 1, at 2 pm and the dis-
cussant of the panel was Ronald F. King, professor at San Diego State University and
U.S. Fulbright alumnus to Romania.
www.fulbright.ro
4
5. Bucharest, September 30, 2011
Volume IV, Issue 3
Commission News
► FROM ROMANIAN FULBRIGHTERS
Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program (TEA) Grantees
in Washington DC
On 25 Sept. 2011, the Romanian TEA grantees participated at the Pre-
orientation Program in Washington DC. 25 countries all over the world
involved in the TEA program introduced their cultures to the others.
Flavours, music, colours, traditions and national costumes mingled in a
perfect harmony. Gheorghe Zamfir’s smooth panpipe rhythm created
the atmosphere for the Romanian participants, Mihaela Fodor, Diana
Melian and Radu Velica.
After the Pre-orientation, the grantees went to their host universities
where they participated in different workshops and activities. Pictures and details are available by fol-
lowing the links below:
http://sites.google.com/site/irexcgu/gallery
http://teacherlink.ed.usu.edu/nmsmithpages/IREX/
Updates from Current Fulbright Student
Olimpia Mosteanu, a Junior grantee at the New School for Social Research in New York, academic year
2011-2012, has been accepted to participate in the Thirteenth Annual Meeting of the Society for Person-
ality and Social Psychology in San Diego, California, January 26-28, 2012. The Society for Personality
and Social Psychology is the largest organization of social and personality psychologists in the world. On
this occasion Olimpia will present her poster - "Explicit and implicit measures of interpersonal trust" –
which has been included in the section on "Stereotyping/Prejudice". The poster submitted by Olimpia
will approach the limitations of the standard interpersonal trust questions. For more details visit: http://
www.spspmeeting.org/?Page=poster_assignments&sort=&go=&show=keywords
Fulbright Researcher in Gender Studies at Columbia University
Monica Stancu - Fulbright Junior Alumna 2009-2010, Sarah Lawrence College – was
invited as a visiting scholar to the Institute for Research on Women and Gender at Co-
lumbia University in New York, NY. Monica’s research focuses on Romanian women im-
migrants who came to the U.S. during and after communism. During her stage at Co-
lumbia University she will explore how these women immigrants shaped their activist
movements both in the U.S. and in Romania. Monica Stancu’s host at Columbia Univer-
sity will be Professor Alice Kessler-Harris, an expert on the history of American la-
bor and the comparative and interdisciplinary exploration of women and gender.
Junior Fulbright Grantee, Awarded the Romanian Press Club Award for Best Feature Writing
Simina Mistreanu, a Junior Fulbright Grantee in 2011-2012, has been awarded the Ro-
manian Press Club Award for best feature writing. She received the award for the article
“Dana’s Choices”, a story about how a woman changed her life after being diagnosed
with breast cancer, published in Decat o revista magazine. The Romanian Press Club
Award is a national prize conferred every year for the best pieces of print, radio, TV and
digital journalism. The Romanian Press Club is the first professional press association
established in Romania, which has the role to supervise the adherence to the deonto-
logical code and to promote quality journalism. Simina Mistreanu was admitted in a
Master’s program in Journalism at the University of Missouri-Columbia, as a Fulbright Grantee, in the
years 2011-2012.
www.fulbright.ro
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6. Bucharest, September 30, 2011
Volume IV, Issue 3
Graduate and Undergraduate
Apply, Be admitted, Get Financial Aid. Learn how at Undergraduate Admissions Training!
During Sept. 20-Oct. 18, Tuesdays, 3-5 pm, join us for a new Undergraduate Admissions Training pro-
gram. The five sessions highlight U.S. application strategies leading to admissions with funding. Join us
and learn how to select U.S. study programs and connect with American universities. How tol master the
art of negotiating strong recommendation letters. How to develop a competitive edge. At the end of pro-
gram your well-rounded application will show that you are a great fit for the U.S. campus of your choice.
Details about starting your successful journey to U.S. universities at http://www.fulbright.ro/
educational-advising-center/39-about-feac/295-calendar.html#link27!
CollegeWeekLive: International Day, Oct. 13
EducationUSA is partnering with CollegeWeekLive for International Day on October 13, between 12 noon
and 2 am Romania time, for a free online U.S. admissions event tailored to the needs of interna-
tional applicants. The Fulbright Center in Bucharest will represent EducationUSA Europe alongside the
EducationUSA centers in London, Amsterdam and Brussels, with a one-hour webinar on “Funding for
graduate study”. More info soon, on our Facebook page and http://www.collegeweeklive.com/en_CA/
guest/app-agenda.
Libraries’ Night FEAC-U.S. Embassy Special: Oct. 1
Want to discover the New World, meet some Americans, and have some fun? The Em-
bassy Library (also known as IRC, Information Resource Center) is participating in the
Romanian “Libraries’ Night” of October 1. The Embassy Library will be open from 8:00
p.m. October 1 to 1:00 a.m. on October 2. Visit to enjoy the U.S. Embassy’s Infor-
mation Resource Center brand new space and take part in presentations on IRC ser-
vices (treasures waiting to be discovered!) and studying in the U.S. Vibrant documen-
taries on the U.S. will be screened and much more. Details at http://
www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=275387169146531.
U.S. Study and FEAC Support Prominent at RIUF 2011 Fall Edition: Bucharest Oct. 22-23 and
Cluj-Napoca Oct. 25
FEAC will present the exciting study opportunities on U.S. campuses at the fall edi-
tion of the 2011 Romanian International University Fair (RIUF) held at Sala Palatu-
lui in Bucharest and at the Students' Culture Hall in Cluj-Napoca. U.S. study will be
featured in interactive presentations and at our lively booth. Watch for RIUF news
on the FEAC Facebook page and register in time for the presentations.
Comprehensive Virtual Advising: The Enriched FEAC Section on the Fulbright Website
The new sections on the FEAC site highlight U.S. universities and their educational and financial offers.
U.S. universities and the like (http://www.fulbright.ro/educational-advising-center/71-us-universities-
and-the-like.html) offers six relevant profiles. The university profiles were authored, at FEAC’s sugges-
tion, by Romanian students in the US, admissions directors, and US Fulbright grantees, originally for our
Undergraduate Newsletter. U.S. university weekly news (http://www.fulbright.ro/educational-advising-
center/39-about-feac/400-us-university-weekly-news.html) is produced by EducationUSA and includes
the latest updates on U.S. scholarship opportunities, as well as campus news. Also, a revamped and en-
riched Student Updates section is available. Enjoy our students’ inspiring self-reports which document
their enriching time in the USA at http://www.fulbright.ro/educational-advising-center/47-romanian-
students-in-the-us-undergrad-study.html.
6 www.fulbright.ro
7. Bucharest, September 30, 2011
Volume IV, Issue 3
Graduate and Undergraduate
New EducationUSA Partnerships in Support of Your U.S. Admission: Stanford University,
Wellesley College, NYU Abu Dhabi
The Fulbright Educational Advising Center joined forces with three top U.S. schools for an intensive joint
outreach program over Sept. 27-30 at a number of Bucharest high schools: “George Cosbuc”, ICHB,
“Mihai Viteazul”, “Sf. Sava”, and “Tudor Vianu”. Hundreds of students were informed about the beauty
of undergraduate education in the USA and its unique diversity. The sessions also highlighted U.S. ad-
missions strategies and best practices for success. To reach out to applicants outside Bucharest FEAC
will develop video interviews with the university reps. Updates coming up soon on Facebook!
The Joy after U.S. Admissions: Pre-departure Orientation
July 7: Pre-Departure Orientation, that is a full-day event meant to facilitate students’ academic and
cultural adjustment in the U.S. Participants got insights into U.S. campus life and culture during presen-
tations and best practice sessions. FEAC undergrad and grad advisees from all over the country who
have worked closely with our center and won admission to exciting U.S. universities (Princeton, UPenn,
Richmond, Colby, Trinity, SCAD, Grinnell, etc.), intl campuses of U.S. schools, and U.S.-like institutions
learned from a range of experts who are FEAC friends: Romanian students and alumni of U.S. universi-
ties, a U.S. Fulbright grantee, a U.S. consular officer, and a U.S. intern at FEAC.
FEAC Sets New Global Records for Undergraduate Financial Aid from U.S. Universities
The 2011 Financial Aid Table recently released by FEAC is the 7th edition of a global project which com-
bines information on need-based and merit-based aid offered by accredited colleges and universities to
undergraduate international students from all major sources. Every world region is represented in the
table, and FEAC proudly reports that Romania has set 8 records in terms of the generous financial FEAC
friends attracted from Grinnell C, Stetson U, Trinity C, U of Richmond, Colby C, Morehead State U (2011
admissions), Louisiana State U, and Nicholls State U (2010). Out of the 13 European countries that
topped the 2011 worldwide list, Romania has set the second best record!
FEAC Develops Innovative Media Resources
With approx. 66,000 page views and 53,000 unique page views over the
past academic year, the FEAC section on the Fulbright website continues
to be the premier online resource that connects Romanian applicants to
current, complete, and unbiased info on U.S. study and financial aid. To
bring visitors closer to the unique U.S. higher education system, our advising center has launched a
video campaign. The first videos were filmed in July and August: inspiring footage of successful appli-
cants’ reflections on the U.S. application, recommendation letters, test prep, and U.S.-like schools in
Europe.
U.S. Culture Club on Demand during Vacation!
The U.S. Culture Club built around iconic movies took off so well this spring that high
school students suggested further sessions exploring U.S. history and diversity. As such,
the U.S. Embassy helped us develop two sessions on Native Americans around
“Thunderheart” and “The Last of the Mohicans”. As always, the movies were preceded
by a historical, economic and political contextualization and followed by in-depth conver-
sations and insightful comments on U.S. history, values and benefits of a U.S. educa-
tion. The two U.S. culture sessions drew high school students from all over Bucharest.
From the Students for the Students: Fall Internships at FEAC
6 internships – 2 graduate and 4 undergraduate – have taken off! FEAC interns come from “Cosbuc”,
“Vianu”, “Mihai Viteazul”, “Lazar”, ASE and SNSPA and bring a variety of skills and one common passion
for U.S. study. They are involved in research projects on U.S. universities, EducationUSA promotional
activities, educational video editing and production, translation projects and more.
7 www.fulbright.ro
8. Bucharest, September 30, 2011
Volume IV, Issue 3
Partners
Need more info? Contact us!
Public hours Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission:
Tue: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Wed: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Thu: 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Phone: 021 230 7719; 021 231 5500
Public Hours Fulbright Educational Advising Center:
Tue: 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Wed: 1:00 am - 5:00 pm Comments? Suggestions?
Thu: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Phone: 021 231 9015 E-mail us:
office@fulbright.ro
Website: www.fulbright.ro
Location: 2, Ing. Costinescu St., Sector 1,
Bucharest 011878, Romania
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This Newsletter is produced by the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission in Romania.
If you wish to cancel your subscription to this newsletter contact office@fulbright.ro
8 www.fulbright.ro