1. Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission
Education in the
American Way
Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission
NEWSLETTER
Bucharest, March 31, 2012
Volume V, Issue 1
Commission News
Graduate and Undergraduate
Table of Contents
► From Romanian Fulbrighters
Commission News  Dialogue on Religious Architecture in the USA
 Now open: Fulbright Student Award 2013-2014  News from Ciprian Dumitrache - Georgia Institute of
 Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program Technology
Still Open  Super Tuesday Seen by Romanian Fulbright Grantee
 Orientation for U.S. Fulbright Grantees Bogdan Dospinescu
 Romanian Winner of the Fulbright-Schuman  Articles by Romanian Fulbrighter Cristina Modreanu
Grant
 Presentations of the Fulbright Student Award in
Graduate and Undergraduate
Romanian Universities  A New Opportunity to Highlight U.S. Study: “School
the Other Way Round” Week, April 2-6
 Romanian Fulbright Alumnus Cătălin Baba  “International Study Day”: A New Outreach Con-
Appointed Minister of Education cept Launches April 4
 Three Alumni Elected as Rectors of Romanian  Golden Rules for Successful Admissions to U.S. Mas-
Universities ters and PhDs: Free Training Program in April-May
 Ace Your Undergrad Application to U.S. Universities:
 Academic Partnerships with Two More Romanian Fresh Sessions in May-June
Universities  Spring Visits to Cluj, Galati, Sibiu Add New Members
 Seminar for the Fulbright Student Award – April to the EducationUSA Family
11, 2012  Promotion of the Fulbright Program with Peace
Corps Volunteers
► From U.S. Fulbrighters  Creatively Celebrate U.S. Culture: Flag Day, June 14
 U.S. Study in the Spotlight at RIUF Bucharest, Timi-
 New article by U.S. Fulbright Scholar Steve Cutler soara, and Iasi
 U.S. Fulbrighter Kelli Wilbert Interviews Director  Students at Top High Schools in Bucharest Won
of The Joseph Foundation in Iasi to Learn about Over by the EducationUSA Approach
Local NGO Scene  Expanding FEAC Online Advising Resources: Check
Out the New FEAC eNewsletters
 News from Dr. Mohsen Razzaghi, U.S. Fulbright  From the Students to the Students: New Internships
Scholar at FEAC
 Research by Fulbright Alumnus Jonathan Stillo  Multiplier Effect of Innovative FEAC Service: SAT
Published on IREX Website Training
http://www.facebook.com/
Romanian.US.Fulbright.Commission www.fulbright.ro

2. Bucharest, March 31, 2012
Volume V, Issue 1
Commission News
Now open: Fulbright Student Award 2013-2014
The Fulbright Student Award, for the academic year 2013-2014, is still
open for the Romanian graduates, MA and PhD students from both
public and private universities. BA students are invited to apply as
well, if they are in their final year of study. The Fulbright Student
Award is a generous one-year program for masters’ study or research
in the United States, in any field except clinical medicine. The Roma-
nian applicants are invited to submit applications no later than May 14,
2012. Click here for details.
Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program is Still Open
Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program is still open until April 15,
2012. The program provides international teachers with unique opportuni-
ties to develop expertise in their subject areas, enhance their teaching skills
and increase their knowledge about the United States.
Details at http://www.fulbright.ro/news/428-teaching-excellence-and-
achievement-program.html
Orientation for U.S. Fulbright Grantees – March 8-9, 2012
The Orientation organized in honor of the new U.S. Fulbright Grantees
to Romania took place on March 8 and 9, 2012. In the first day, Ful-
brighters had the opportunity to meet high officials of the U.S. Em-
bassy, Fulbright Board members, American and Romanian professors
and specialists in the field of economics, politics, education and culture
who introduced them to their
new Romanian environment.
The day concluded with a re-
ception organized at the Com-
mission headquarters, an occasion for the new arrived grantees
to meet more Romanian and U.S. alumni. On the second day of
the event the group of American professors and students visited
the Palace of Parliament, Cotroceni Palace and enjoyed a sym-
phonic concert at the Romanian Athenaeum.
Romanian Winner of the Fulbright-Schuman Grant
Adriana Bunea, one of the European candidates selected among the finalists of the Fulbright-Schuman
Program, academic year 2012-13, is the first Romanian recipient of the Fulbright-Schuman grant.
Our colleagues of the Fulbright Commission in Belgium and Luxembourg, who administer the competi-
tion, informed us that “the pool of applicants was particularly strong this year and those who have been
selected are truly outstanding. We had roughly 200 applications in the preliminary round and 55 in the
final round, of which 13 were selected and 7 were listed as alternates”.
Adriana is currently a PhD candidate in Political Sciences at Trinity College in Dublin with the research
topic: “Explaining interest group influence in EU policymaking. A network approach”. She has a BA de-
gree from the Department of Political Sciences, University of Bucharest. Congratulations, Adriana!
2 www.fulbright.ro

3. Bucharest, March 31, 2012
Volume V, Issue 1
Commission News
Presentations of the Fulbright Student Award in Romanian Universities
On April 4, at 1 pm, the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission is or-
ganizing a presentation on the Fulbright Student Award 2013-2014
at Politehnica University of Bucharest. The event will be held in the
Senate room and the participants will have the opportunity to be fa-
miliarized with the program and to participate in the Q&A section.
On April 10, at 12 pm, another presentation of the Fulbright Student
Award will be held at the University of Bucharest. For more details
please follow the link: http://startub.unibuc.ro/2012/03/
prezentarea-fulbright-student-award-2013-2014-la-universitatea-
din-bucuresti/.
Two more presentations on the outgoing competition were hosted by
Academy of Economic Studies and by the Centre for International
Cooperation, Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj on March 12 and March 22. Also, on March 17, the Fulbright
awards were highlighted at the Romanian International University Fair.
Romanian Fulbright Alumnus Cătălin Baba Appointed Minister of
Education
Cătălin Baba was a Fulbright Scholar in 2007-2008 at University of Dela-
ware, in the field of Public Policy. Recently he was appointed as the Min-
ister of Education, Research, Youth and Sport. Mr. Baba also served as a
Head of Prime Minister Chancellery, Secretary of State in the Ministry of
Education and Dean at the Faculty of Political, Administrative and. Com-
munication Sciences, Babeş-Bolyai University Cluj-Napoca.
Three Alumni Elected as Rectors of Romanian Universities
In March, two Romanian Fulbrighters and one News Century Scholar alumnus became the rectors of dif-
ferent Romanian universities: Fulbright alumnus Mircea Dumitru is the new Rector at the University of
Bucharest, Remus Pricopie, New Century Scholar alumnus and chair of the Romanian Fulbright Board of
Directors, is the elected Rector at National School of Political Studies and Public Administration, Bucha-
rest and Fulbright alumnus Ioan Aurel Pop is the new Rector at Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj Napoca.
Academic Partnerships with Two More Romanian Universities
Two more partnership agreements have been recently signed by the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commis-
sion with the University of the West, Timisoara and the Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies. Mutual
promotion of the institutional image, informing the local students and professors, through various
means of communication, about the study and research opportunities offered by the Fulbright award
programs and planning academic joint events such as conferences, symposiums, orientation seminars
and summer schools - at national and international level - are the main points included in the recently
signed agreements. Although collaboration initiatives have been constantly carried out between our
Commission and the above mentioned universities, such agreements are a good proof of the long time
cooperation with these prestigious academic centers in Romania.
Seminar for the Fulbright Student Award – April 11, 2012
The seminar for the Romanian applicants for the Fulbright Junior Award Preparing the Fulbright Applica-
tion. Guidance and Recommendations for Writing Successful Essays will be held on April 11, 2012, from
4.00 to 5.00 p.m. The seminar will provide tips and advice for the preparation of the application file and
will recommend useful strategies on how to plan and structure the essays which stand at the core of the
application. The seminar will benefit from the presence of Fulbright scholars who will share their experi-
ence and knowledge with the Romanian participants.
3 www.fulbright.ro

4. Bucharest, March 31, 2012
Volume V, Issue 1
Commission News
► FROM U.S. FULBRIGHTERS
New article by U.S. Fulbright Scholar Steve Cutler
Steve Cutler published an article entitled “Long-term Implications for Widowhood of
Romania’s Decree No. 770” in the Social Work Review, a journal edited by the Sociol-
ogy and Social Work Faculty - University of Bucharest, Romania.
To read the entire article, please click here.
U.S. Fulbrighter Kelli Wilbert Interviews Director of The Joseph Foundation in Iasi to Learn
about Local NGO Scene
“Before I arrived to Iasi I knew I wanted to volunteer at an
NGO and learn more about the role of charitable organiza-
tions and civil society in Romania. I currently volunteer at
The Joseph Foundation (Fundatia Iosif) which helps disad-
vantaged children in deprived neighborhoods in Iasi, and
aims to prevent school abandonment while providing an af-
ter-school program, enriching cultural activities, and a sum-
mer camp for the children. The Foundation was founded in
1993 shortly after the 1989 Revolution in hopes to provide
assistance for many of Iasi’s abandoned youth. I sat down
with The Foundation’s Executive Director, Mr. Sebastian
Ghica, to learn more about the non-profit sector in Iasi and in Romanian society, in comparison to the
US.” - Kelli Wilbert, U.S. Fulbright grantee at Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi. The interview is
available here.
News from Dr. Mohsen Razzaghi, U.S. Fulbright Scholar
Dr. Mohsen Razzaghi, the Head of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Mis-
sissippi State University, who is currently a Fulbright scholar at the Department of
Mathematics and Computer Science, Technical University of Civil Engineering, Bucharest
was invited by school inspector Elena Motas Project manager and professor Tudor
Stanciu, a member of the project team to attend a workshop in Gura Humorului, in the
Suceava County, March 23-25, 2012. Gura Humorului is about 160 Km from Iasi and
is located in the province of Moldavia in the northeastern part of Romania. This work-
shop concerned the project entitled “The continuous training for Mathematics teachers
in the knowledge society.” Read more here.
Research by Fulbright Alumnus Jonathan Stillo Published on IREX Website
Since he first came to Romania in 2001, U.S. Fulbright alumnus and medical an-
thropologist Jonathan Stillo constantly returned to continue his research on TB and
to raise awareness through conferences, media interviews and various presenta-
tions. His research examines the relationship between socio-economic conditions
and TB in Romania. He focus on the most difficult to cure cases, people who have
serious problems such as homelessness, severe poverty, mental illness, alcoholism
or a lack of spousal or family support.
A brief part of his work was published on IREX website and is available online at:
http://www.irex.org/resource/all-my-problems-started-TB-ethnographic-analysis-
treatment-failure-romania-research-brief#.TzrqdijQEEw.facebook
www.fulbright.ro
4

5. Bucharest, March 31, 2012
Volume V, Issue 1
Commission News
► FROM ROMANIAN FULBRIGHTERS
Dialogue on Religious Architecture in the USA
Dr. Augustin Ioan, Romanian Fulbright Professor, currently involved in a research pro-
gram in Religious Architecture at the University of Cincinnati, has lectured
on “Retrofuturism: Sacred Spaces Today” on Monday, March 12. The event was hosted
by the College of Architecture and Planning, University of Colorado, Denver. On the fol-
lowing day, Dr. Ioan met and discussed with the PhD students of the same department.
Dr. Ioan visited the University of Colorado, Denver at the invitation of Dr. Taisto H.
Mäkelä, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Architecture. We are looking
forward to learning more about Dr. Ioan’s activities in the U.S.
News from Ciprian Dumitrache - Georgia Institute of Technology
Ciprian Dumitrache, Fulbright master’s student in Aeronautical Engi-
neering at Georgia Tech has sent us news about his recent activities.
Two weeks ago he participated in the Fulbright Enrichment Seminar in
Chicago, where he had the opportunity to meet and interact with Ful-
brighters from 80 countries. Ciprian was very impressed with this
seminar, a great occasion to build friendships as well, and told us that
never had he met such a cultural diversity.
At Georgia Tech, his host university, Ciprian and Adina, his wife, took part
in voluntary activities dedicated to people with disabilities. Ciprian added
that the event " The Amazing Race: Shine the Spotlight on disability aware-
ness" is well known in his academic center and carefully organized. The ac-
tivities included in the agenda, sports - such as basketball in wheelchairs
and goalball combined with debates addressing ways of improving available
resources for people with disabilities in the campus.
Super Tuesday Seen by Romanian Fulbright Grantee Bogdan Dospinescu
Bogdan Dospinescu, Fulbright researcher in the field of Political Communication at Rutgers, The State
University of New Jersey wrote an analysis on Super Tuesday for the Romanian newspaper Evenimentul
Zilei. Two articles appeared in the online version of the newspaper:
http://www.evz.ro/detalii/stiri/exclusiv-analiza-super-tuesday-goliat-vsdavid-romney-isi-confirma-
statutul-de-favorit-970247.html and http://www.evz.ro/detalii/stiri/profesorul-richard-lau-sunt-sigur-ca-
obama-se-roaga-ca-santorum-sa-castige-970326.html
Articles by Romanian Fulbrighter Cristina Modreanu
Cristina Modreanu is a Fulbright Visiting Scholar at New York University,
Performance Studies Department. Since she started her Fulbright grant
in USA, she published a series of articles about American theatre in Art
Act Magazine. The articles are available online by following the link:
http://www.artactmagazine.ro/corespondenta-din-ny.html.
She also published some articles on social-political aspects in Dilema
Veche. Please find them below:
http://dilemaveche.ro/sectiune/dileme-line/articol/festivalul-democra-iei-occupy-wall-street
http://dilemaveche.ro/sectiune/tema-saptaminii/articol/nu-vrem-sa-ocupat-doar-wall-street-vrem-sa-
ocupam-i-sa-eliberam-min
http://dilemaveche.ro/sectiune/tema-saptaminii/articol/cum-am-ajuns-totii-subiecti-financiari
5 www.fulbright.ro

6. Bucharest, March 31, 2012
Volume V, Issue 1
Graduate and Undergraduate
► Upcoming Events
A New Opportunity to Highlight U.S. Study: “School the Other Way Round” Week, April 2-6
During April 2-6, the Advising Center will make the most of the “School the Other Way Round” week in-
cluded in the high school curriculum starting this year. In this timeframe, regular classes are suspended,
allowing students and teachers to engage in a multitude of extracurricular activities. Apart from the in-
novative International Study Day on April 4, on Apr 2 and 6, FEAC will host students from high schools
“Lovinescu” and “Cuza”, respectively, alongside their teachers. We will offer dedicated presentations
that will match the students’ specific interests regarding U.S. admissions. The events will include appli-
cation strategies and TOEFL insights for “Lovinescu” students and admissions essay and recommenda-
tion letters case studies for our guests from “Cuza”.
“International Study Day”: A New Outreach Concept Launches
April 4
The Fulbright Educational Advising Center together with Campus France,
DAAD, and British Council have partnered up to set up joint outreach
programs meant to introduce students to the benefits and opportunities
of the educational systems in the USA, France, and Germany, and to help them make the most of study-
ing abroad. The pilot program will be launched on April 4 at “Lazar” National College in Bucharest and
will start traveling to underserved academic communities in the country at the end of April. Details at
http://bit.ly/feac_events.
Golden Rules for Successful Admissions to U.S. Masters and PhDs: Free Training Program in
April-May
Join us for a new Graduate Admissions Training program starting April 3! The five weekly sessions,
Tuesdays 5-7 pm, will present U.S. application strategies leading to admissions and funding. This train-
ing program is open to everyone interested in pursuing a U.S. Master’s, PhD, MBA, or any other gradu-
ate degree. Full info at http://bit.ly/feac_events.
Ace Your Undergrad Application to U.S. Universities: Fresh Sessions in May-June
A new Undergraduate Admissions Training program is set to start in May. The sessions scheduled every
Tuesday 3-5 pm will highlight U.S. application tips and strategies leading to success: admissions with
funding. Join us and learn how to select U.S. study programs and connect with American universities.
How to negotiate strong recommendation letters. Details at http://bit.ly/feac_events.
Spring Visits to Cluj, Galati, Sibiu Add New Members to the EducationUSA Family
In late March-April, FEAC will continue traveling across Romania to share U.S. admissions and financial
aid insights and tips with dynamic prospective applicants. The interactive presentations and training pro-
grams hosted by the American Corner in Cluj on March 28-29 will be followed up by International Study
Day in Galati on April 26 and presentations in Sibiu on May 11-12.
Promotion of the Fulbright Program with Peace Corps Volunteers
As a result of its steady cooperation with Peace Corps Romania, FEAC was invited to participate in the
Career Options seminar organized on April 26 in Cluj for Peace Corps Volunteers finishing their program
in Romania. The training will include a panel discussion highlighting the options available to PC volun-
teers upon their return to the USA, as well as a career options fair that will allow for in-depth conversa-
tion. Alongside the FEAC rep, the panelists will include former PCVs who will offer advice in their current
capacities as members of the Foreign Service, Peace Corps, and the PC Return program. The FEAC rep
will emphasize the graduate school options and the Fulbright Student program, with the support of the
U.S. Fulbright grantee in Timisoara.
Creatively Celebrate U.S. Culture: Flag Day, June 14
Every June, the American Embassy’s Public Diplomacy section brings together
over 300 students from 5 Bucharest high schools, who celebrate Flag Day through
various lively, innovative projects developed on the 50 states in the USA (plus
Washington D.C.). To honor a cherished tradition, the Fulbright Educational Advis-
ing Center will be there with a booth and students admitted to universities in the
USA. Come meet us! You’ll learn more about the U.S. undergraduate education
and discover how you can successfully apply to U.S. colleges and universities. Get more info on Flag Day
and check out colorful pics at http://on.fb.me/FEACPics.
6 www.fulbright.ro

7. Bucharest, March 31, 2012
Volume V, Issue 1
Graduate and Undergraduate
► Past Events
U.S. Study in the Spotlight at RIUF Bucharest, Timisoara, and Iasi
In March, U.S. study and EducationUSA admissions support services were
prominent at the Spring edition of the Romanian International University
Fair (RIUF), the foremost educational fair in south-east Europe. The fair was
organized in Bucharest on March 17-18 and in Timisoara and Iasi on March
20 and 22, respectively. Fulbright Educational Advising Center staff and in-
terns discussed U.S. study opportunities with visitors who stopped by our
always busy booths, open throughout the fair in all three cities. Peace Corps
and U.S. Embassy reps, together with U.S. Fulbright program reps, were
also available at the booths and inspired applicants with vibrant stories from
their own successful U.S. study experiences. Participants also learned about the exciting academic and
financial aid opportunities available to Romanian students interested in continuing their studies in the
USA during the interactive presentations we offered to undergraduate and graduate applicants. At the
booths and during the presentations offered during the fair, FEAC reached over 1,500 visitors in Bucha-
rest, around 700 in Timisoara and over 750 in Iasi – a total of around 3,000 prospective applicants,
teachers, and parents. More pictures on our Facebook page at http://on.fb.me/FEACPics.
Students at Top High Schools in Bucharest Won Over by the Edu-
cationUSA Approach
In February, FEAC visited three high schools in Bucharest – “Lazar”, “IL
Caragiale” and “Central School”. On two visits we were accompanied by a
U.S. university rep. In addition, on behalf of EducationUSA we offered an
interactive presentation on U.S. study at the World Education Fair held at
the Hilton Hotel on Feb 12. The sessions reached over 300 students and
teachers. The participants were thrilled to learn about a range of appeal-
ing features of U.S. campuses: liberal arts education, the personalized
curriculum, hands-on learning, the comprehensive support system, as
well as the significant financial aid available for international students. Inspiring Romanian success sto-
ries together with information on the free online and face-to-face admissions support services provided
by our EducationUSA Advising Center wrapped up the events.
Expanding FEAC Online Advising Resources: Check Out the New FEAC eNewsletters
Starting February, FEAC launched two new eNewsletters featuring comprehensive information on online
seminars and training opportunities for undergraduate and graduate applicants to U.S. universities. The
new resources can be accessed in the Services section on the FEAC site at http://bit.ly/FEAC_Services.
Every month, the eNewsletters highlight upcoming FEAC and EducationUSA webinars, digital video con-
ferences, virtual fairs, as well as other online resources and events inspired or offered by EducationUSA
to promote U.S. study.
From the Students to the Students: New Internships at FEAC
Four undergraduate internships took off at the end of January, followed by six graduate
ones in March. Our undergrad interns come from high schools “Cosbuc”, “Caragiale”, and
“Central School” in Bucharest, and the graduate ones from the American Studies depart-
ment at the University of Bucharest. They bring to the Center a variety of skills and a
common passion for U.S. study. Our interns are involved in an exciting range of varied
research projects on U.S. universities, in EducationUSA promotional activities including
school visits and participating in educational fairs such as RIUF, educational video editing
and production, and more.
Multiplier Effect of Innovative FEAC Service: SAT Training
In order to support a Romanian scholarship to Babson College, MA, FEAC
developed a full-day SAT training program for the five short-listed candi-
dates competing for a full-ride undergraduate scholarship offered by a Ro-
manian foundation. The innovative training identified the students’ specific
SAT problem areas and highlighted best practices and personalized strate-
gies for each of the three sections of the test. An in-depth essay writing
workshop and an insightful discussion with a FEAC friend, now a freshman at Trinity College, CT, and
owner of an impressive 2250 cumulative score in the SAT, rounded off the program.
www.fulbright.ro
7

8. Bucharest, March 31, 2012
Volume V, Issue 1
Partners
Need more info? Contact us!
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Tue: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
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Thu: 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
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This Newsletter is produced by the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission in Romania.
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8 www.fulbright.ro