1. Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission
Education in the
American Way
Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission
NEWSLETTER
Bucharest, March 31, 2011
Volume IV, Issue 1
COMMISSION NEWS
GRADUATE
Table of Contents:  Interview with Laura Mattes, U.S. Fulbright
Grantee in Romania
 New Volume by American Scholar in Romania
Commission News
 Fulbright Participation in NALS 2011
► Upcoming events
 Romanian and American Fulbright Scholars in
 Book Launch of the Third Fulbright 50th Anniversary Vol-
the JSRI Editorial Team
ume
 Management of Educational Project in a New
 Seminar for Romanian Applicants for the Junior Fulbright
Perspective
Award – April 11, 2011
 Romanian Presence in Math Seminar at MSU
 U.S. Admissions Made Easy: FEAC and EducationUSA We-
binars Graduate
► Past events Upcoming events
 Webinars for Romanian Applicants to Fulbright Grants –  Two Fulbright Grants are Still Open
March 3, 23  Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program
 Featured at U.S. Culture Club this March: The Great Ameri- is Still Open
can West – March 15  Presentation on Graduate Study in U.S. at Uni-
 Direct and Online Visibility for U.S.-like Schools in Europe versity of Bucharest – April 6
at FEAC – March 11  Graduate Admissions Training – April 5 and 12
 Winter Orientation for U.S. Fulbright Grantees - February  Exam Updates: Discover the GRE Revised Gen-
24, 25 eral Test at FEAC – Registration Open March 15
 Romanian and U.S. Alumni Meeting Ms. Karene Grad  Access Masters and MBAs in Bucharest
Steiner, Fulbright Program Officer at the Bureau of Educa- ► Past events
tional and Cultural Affairs – Jan 24  Politehnica University Students Finding Out on
► From Fulbrighters Fulbright Study Opportunities – March 2
 Signs of Spring and Environmental-Friendly Energy at the  Giving Back: A Successful Romanian Student at
Washington DC. Fulbright Enrichment Seminar Willamette University
 Interview with Ioana Moldovan, Romanian Fulbright  FEAC Puts U.S. study and Fulbright Awards in
Grantee in U.S. the Spotlight at RIUF
 Fulbright Senior Scholar Contributes to Social Enterprise  New FEAC Approach: First-time Promotion of
Conference the Fulbright Program with Peace Corps Volun-
 Fundraising Project by Jake Shulman-Ment, U.S. Fulbright teers
Grantee  “In the Embassy” Program for College Stu-
 Romanian Fulbright S&T Grantee Meets the Romanian Am- dents: A Close Up on Work in the U.S. Foreign
bassador in the U.S. Service and Study in the USA
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2. Bucharest, March 31, 2011
Volume IV, Issue 1
COMMISSION NEWS
► UPCOMING EVENTS
Book Launch of the Third Fulbright 50th Anniversary Volume
On Saturday, April 16, 13:00 pm, the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission is inviting
all alumni at the book launch of the third Fulbright anniversary volume. The event will
take place at Sala Palatului, Bucharest. The volume - Fulbright Ripple Effect on Inter-
national Education. Looking Ahead from a Romanian & American Perspective - offers
wide perspectives on the Fulbright Program by inviting some of the alumni to give an
account of their Fulbright experience in Romania and U.S.
Thank you to all the alumni and contributors of the volume!
Seminar for Romanian Applicants for the Junior Fulbright Award – April 11, 2011
The seminar for the Romanian applicants for the Fulbright Junior Award Preparing the Fulbright Appli-
cation. Guidance and Recommendations for Writing Successful Essays will be held on Monday, April
11, 2011, from 4.30 to 5.50 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 a special U.S. in-
vitee, who, as a Fulbright Program alumna, will share experience and knowledge with the Romanian
participants. Please register your intention to attend by email at office@fulbright.ro. Due to limited
space only 25 invitees per session may be accepted. Participation is on a first come, first served basis.
U.S. Admissions Made Easy: FEAC and EducationUSA Webinars
In Dec. 2010, EducationUSA started an enriching series of webinars meant to
help applicants better cope with the exciting, life-changing U.S. admissions
process. Coming up in April: EducationUSA webinars on “Financing your studies”
and a FEAC webinar that’ll reveal “The Romanian Take on Smart U.S. Grad Ap-
plications”. Watch recordings of past sessions at http://www.educationusa.info/
edusa_connects/ and stay tuned in FEAC’s online Calendar section to learn
about future online events.
► PAST EVENTS
Webinars for Romanian Applicants to Fulbright Grants – March 3, 23
The Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission organized two webinars for Romanian applicants at Fulbright
Junior Award 2012-2013 and International Fulbright Science and Technology on March 3 and March
23. The webinars included the PowerPoint presentations of the programs and a 45 minute Q&A Live
webchat for each grant.
Featured at U.S. Culture Club this March: The Great American West – March 15
On Tuesday March 15, FEAC visitors went on an informative, interactive, and fun journey along the West
Coast of the United States. Shandin Rickard, U.S. intern, shared experience of living and studying in
California and Oregon. Over 30 high-school, undergrad, and graduate level fans of U.S. study discussed
modern Western American culture and learned more about one of the most famous regions of the world,
birthplace of Hollywood, Disneyland, Microsoft, NIKE, Starbucks, and more.
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3. Bucharest, March 31, 2011
Volume IV, Issue 1
COMMISSION NEWS
Direct and Online Visibility for U.S.-like Schools in Europe at FEAC – March 11
Friday March 11 marked FEAC’s debut in the EducationUSA webinars arena. “Explore U.S.-like institu-
tions in Europe”, introduced advisees from various parts of the country to colleges and universities in
Europe which provide a U.S.-style higher education. Anna Boyd, Admissions Counselor at Jacobs Univer-
sity Bremen in Germany, highlighted similarities & differences between U.S.-like and U.S. universities
and provided details on the Jacobs approach to U.S. education. The webinar was followed by a “Jacobs
Meet & Greet” hosted at the Center, an opportunity for U.S. study fans and Jacobs applicants to learn
more about the school, its philosophy, and the financial aid it offers to top applicants.
Winter Orientation for U.S. Fulbright Grantees - February 24, 25
The Winter Orientation, organized in honor of the new U.S. Fulbright grantees to Romania took place on
February 24 and 25. In the first day, Fulbrighters had the opportunity to meet high officials of the U.S.
Embassy, the Ministry of Education, Research, Youth and Sports, Fulbright Board members, American
and Romanian professors and specialists in the field of economics, politics and education, who intro-
duced them to their new Romanian environment. The day concluded with a reception organized at the
Commission 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 Co-
troceni Palace, Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum and Mogosoaia Palace.
Romanian and U.S. Alumni Meeting Ms. Karene Grad Steiner, Fulbright Program Officer at
the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs – Jan 24
On January 24, a reception in honor of Ms. Karene Grad Steiner, Fulbright Program Officer at the Bu-
reau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State was hosted at the Romanian-U.S.
Fulbright Commission. The reception was a great opportunity for Romanian and U.S. Fulbright alumni,
grantees and independent students to meet Ms. Karene Grad and share their Fulbright experience, ac-
complishments and projects.
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4. Bucharest, March 31, 2011
Volume IV, Issue 1
COMMISSION NEWS
► FROM FULBRIGHTERS
Signs of Spring and Environmental-Friendly Energy at the Washington DC. Fulbright Enrich-
ment Seminar
Anamaria Vrabie, Fulbright Grantee at The New School New York, at-
tended the Fulbright Enrichment Seminar in Washington DC. during
the 16th-20th of March. Anamaria enjoyed the animated debates re-
volving under this year’s seminar topic- Environment- together with
the other 150 Fulbright participants from all over the world. She was
also delighted to meet Ms. Karene Grad Steiner, Fulbright Program
Officer at the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Depart-
ment of State, who had only gracious words and memories from her
visit to the Romanian Fulbright Commission this past January.
Interview with Ioana Moldovan, Romanian Fulbright Grantee in U.S.
Ioana Moldovan, currently a Junior Fulbright researcher at University of Southern
California, Los Angeles was recently interviewed in a monthly publication edited in
Colorado for the Romanian community in USA. During the interview, Ioana talks
about her recent activities, the experience in U.S., the Fulbright program and, of
course, about her field of research – theatre/film. To read the entire article, please
follow:
http://www.gandaculdecolorado.com/interviu/8-interviu/1943-interviu-cu-ioana-
moldovan
Also, Ioana is publishing monthly articles to a well-known magazine in Romania
“Revista 22”. The most recent article is about a US representation of Anton Chek-
hov’s play “Three sisters” and it is available at:
http://www.revista22.ro/articol-10161.html.
Fulbright Senior Scholar Contributes to Social Enterprise Conference
Dr. Dan Ratliff, currently a Fulbright Senior Scholar at Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj, participated in the
Social Enterprise Conference organized by the American Cultural Center in Bucharest, on March 28,
2011. The event was opened by U.S. Ambassador Mark H. Gitenstein in the presence of a large number
of Romanian NGO community members. Dr. Ratliff, an expert on social services for children and fami-
lies, delivered a presentation on Marketing and Communication, as part of the development of social en-
terprises, stressing the role of the entrepreneurial approach in providing more momentum to this essen-
tial sector of a democratic society.
Fundraising Project by Jake Shulman-Ment, U.S. Fulbright Grantee
Jake Shulman-Ment, U.S. Fulbright grantee and violinist just launched a
Kickstarter fundraiser for a new musical collaboration between Jewish
American and Romanian musicians, exploring our similar roots on a concert
tour of Romania. The project includes a tour of free concerts in Romania
with Benjy Fox-Rosen (a fabulous Yiddish singer and bassist also based in
NYC), Adrian Receanu (one of the top clarinetists in Europe playing tradi-
tional Romanian music, from Moldova), and others! More details about the
project and a video with Jake’s music on
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jakeshulmanment/jake-shulman-
ment-and-friends-romanian-klezmer-tou?ref=email.
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5. Bucharest, March 31, 2011
Volume IV, Issue 1
COMMISSION NEWS
Romanian Fulbright S&T Grantee Meets the Romanian Ambassador in the U.S.
Gina Adam, current International Fulbright Science & Technology (S&T) Award
Fellow and an MS/PhD student in Electrical and Computer Engineering at UC
Santa Barbara, has participated in the Annual Meeting of the American Associa-
tion for Advancement in Science held in Washington, D.C. It was an event which
facilitated networking to more than 6000 participants - sci-
entists, science journalists and people interested in educa-
tion and research policies in the U.S., E.U. and Asia.
Moreover, Gina’s presence in Washington, D.C. was an op-
portunity for her to meet and discuss with Ms. Karene
Grad and Mr. Vincent Picket, the Fulbright and S&T pro-
gram officers present at the event as representatives of
the U.S. Department of State. Thanks to Ms. Grad and Mr.
Picket, Gina had also the occasion to personally meet Mr.
Adrian Vierita, the Romanian Ambassador in the U.S. who was happy to invite
them for a dialogue at the headquarters of the Romanian Embassy in Washing-
ton.
Interview with Laura Mattes, U.S. Fulbright Grantee in Romania
The link below features an interview about Laura Mattes, a 2010–2011 Fulbright
grantee. The article explains Laura’s decision to come in Romania and describes her
work about gender, sexuality and HIV/AIDS discrimination. Laura’s community blog
(http://dincolodesoapte.blogspot.com/), which encourages youth to share and dis-
cuss experiences and opinions about their own sexuality, gender identity and body
image, is also highlighted in the article.
Read the entire interview at: http://presainblugi.com/laura-iris-mattes-am-
schimbat-america-pentru-a-ramane-in-romania/
New Volume by American Scholar in Romania
Dr. Bryan Hall, Professor in the School of Arts and Letters at Indiana University
and currently Fulbright Scholar teaching at the Departments of Philosophy and
American Studies of the University of Bucharest, has just published his new book
on The Arguments of Kant's ‘Critique of Pure Reason’. Dr. Hall introduces a new
approach to Emmanuel Kant’s monumental work, since the book is primarily di-
rected at students, and has as co-authors two of Bryan’s undergraduate students.
For details on the volume, see more at:
http://lexingtonbooks.com/Catalog/SingleBook.shtml?
command=Search&db=^DB/CATALOG.db&eqSKUdata=0739141651
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6. Bucharest, March 31, 2011
Volume IV, Issue 1
COMMISSION NEWS
Fulbright Participation in NALS 2011
Ludmila Martanovschi (Ovidius University - Constanta), Postdoctoral Fulbright
Grantee at the Graduate Center, City University of New York, attended the
Native American Literature Symposium between March 17th and 19th, 2011.
She presented the paper “Many Voices, One Play: Performing Tribalography
in Indian Radio Days by LeAnne Howe and Roxy Gordon”. The conference
comprised panels on service learning courses, on current developments in
Native film and art as well as on the issues of gender, trauma and storytelling
in American Indian literatures.
Romanian and American Fulbright Scholars in the JSRI Editorial Team
We are pleased to announce the latest issue (28/2011) of the Journal for the Study of Religions and Ide-
ologies (www.jsri.ro), edited by Dr. Sandu Frunza, 2007-2008 Fulbright Scholar at Boston University,
Elie Wiesel Center for Judaic Studies and a Professor of Philosophy at the Political Science Department,
Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj. The current publication also includes an article by Dr. Michael Jones, US
Fulbright alumnus, Professor at Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA, USA and executive editor of the pub-
lication. It is also worth mentioning that the JSRI editorial team and the advisory board include many
Romanian Fulbright Scholars from Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj who, at the same time, are actively
supporting the Fulbright Commission programs. The current JSRI number can be accessed at:
http://jsri.ro/ojs/index.php/jsri/issue/current.
Management of Educational Project in a New Perspective
Tudor Stanciu, a Ron Brown grantee in 1998-2000, is continuing his
reasearch projects in the area of education. He has recently published
the volume Managementul Proiectelor Educationale pe Intelesul Tuturor
(Management of Educational Projects Made Easy), a practical guide for
beginners and advanced specialists in the field. Dr. Stanciu is a Professor
in the Teacher Training Department at "Gh.Asachi" Technical University
of Iasi. He was awarded a Master’s Degree in the field of education at
Lehigh University, Pennsylvania as a Ron Brown grantee. The Ron Brown
Fellowship was a program dedicated to young graduates and profession-
als aiming to continue their studies in the United States, carried out un-
der Fulbright coordination.
Romanian Presence in Math Seminar at MSU
Dr. Marian Munteanu, Fulbright Visiting Scholar at Michigan State University, participated in a seminar
organized by the Department of Mathematics of his host university in early March. The proposed topic of
the presentation was Constant Angle Surfaces in Homogeneous 3-Spaces: Classifications and Generali-
zations. Dr. Munteanu’s presence in the event represented a welcome opportunity of promoting Roma-
nian research in Mathematics in the U.S. academic environment.
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Volume IV, Issue 1
GRADUATE
► UPCOMING EVENTS
Two Fulbright Grants are Still Open: Fulbright Junior Award and Science and Technology
The Fulbright Junior Award for the Romanian BA, MA, PhD students and
young researchers from both public and private universities is still open
until May 15, 2011.
Fulbright Junior Award is a very generous program for masters’ study or
research in the United States, in any field except clinical medicine, for
academic year 2012-2013. Details on the Fulbright website at http://
www.fulbright.ro/news/350-the-junior-fulbright-award-to-the-united-
states-2012-2013.html.
Also, until April 10, 2011 is still time to apply for the International Fulbright Science and Technology
Award, a very generous program for PhD study in science, technology or engineering and mathematics
focused fields (STEM). Candidates can be BA and MA students from both public and private universities.
Details on the Fulbright website at http://www.fulbright.ro/news/339-2012-international-fulbright-
science-and-technology-award.html#content.
Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program is Still Open
Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program is still open until April 15, 2011. The program provides
international teachers with unique opportunities 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.
Presentation on Graduate Study in U.S. at University of Bucharest – April 6
FEAC will be visiting various Romanian universities to present on U.S. admissions. The presentation will
be focused on graduate study opportunities in U.S. and will take place at the University of Bucharest, on
April 6, 4-6 pm.
Graduate Admissions Training – April 5 and 12
The graduate events FEAC has organized or enhanced in 2011 (“In the Embassy”, “Business Education
in the U.S.”, RIUF, and more) have attracted growing numbers of college students and graduates to the
Admissions Training programs regularly organized at the Center. Two modules of the spring series will
take place this April and will focus on successful Romanian application files and how to change perspec-
tive in order to get admissions officers’ views on well-rounded, successful applications. More at http://
www.fulbright.ro/educational-advising-center/39-about-feac/295-calendar.html#link21.
Exam Updates: Discover the GRE Revised General Test at FEAC – Registration Open March 15
The GRE General Test is required for admissions purposes by countless U.S.
graduate programs. It’s considered an objective measure of a candidate's readi-
ness for graduate-level work and of their potential for success.
Now, the GRE General Test is changing. According to ETS, creator of the test, the
GRE revised General Test, launching in August, is even more closely aligned with
the skills needed in today's demanding graduate and business school programs.
In April, learn about the changes in the test taking experience, explore preparation materials, and dis-
cover how you can save 50% on the new test on the FEAC website (Testing section).
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Access Masters and MBAs in Bucharest – April 30
Looking into broadening your academic and professional horizons with a graduate
program abroad? Take part in the Access MBA and Access Masters educational fairs
on Saturday April 30 to explore your options, meet admissions reps, and pick up
useful insights and advice. Registration is free if completed online.
► PAST EVENTS
Politehnica University Students Finding Out on Fulbright Study Opportunities – March 2
The presentation of the newly launched Fulbright competitions for Ro-
manian applicants held at Politehnica University of Bucharest on March
2 brought together students, MA’s, and PhD researchers of different
departments. The participants had the opportunity to be familiarized
with the International Science and Technology Award for PhD grants,
but also with Fulbright Junior Award, for master or research. The pres-
entation ended with a Q&A session for the Romanian applicants. Also,
professors Mihaela Albu and Stefan Trausan-Matu, Fulbright Alumni,
who participated at the event, had an essential contribution to the
success of the presentation.
Giving Back: A Successful Romanian Student at Willamette University
Spells Out U.S. MBAs and Master’s Degrees to Future Applicants
In January, FEAC hosted Adelaida Patrasc, a thriving Romanian MBA student at
Willamette University in the USA. Willamette is a top-ranked university offering
up to 100% merit-based financial aid to qualified applicants. Participants in the
session discovered how to emulate the success of Romanian students currently
on U.S. graduate degrees. The prospective applicants also got a chance to ex-
plore the free all-inclusive U.S. admissions support available at FEAC for craft-
ing a powerful application.
FEAC Puts U.S. study and Fulbright Awards in the Spotlight at RIUF Bucharest, Timisoara, and
Iasi, with U.S. Consulate Support
The Romanian Int’l University Fair in mid March attracted over 12,000
visitors in Bucharest, Timisoara, and Iasi. FEAC was for the first time pre-
sent at all three locations. We joined forces with the U.S. Consulate and
the Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy to reach as wide an au-
dience as possible. FEAC met prospective applicants during the various in-
depth presentations on U.S. undergraduate and graduate study we organ-
ized in all three cities, at out booth in Bucharest, and during university
and high school visits we organized in partnership with the American Cor-
ner in Iasi alongside the RIUF sessions.
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New FEAC Approach: First-time Promotion of the Fulbright Program with Peace Corps Volun-
teers
As a result of its steady cooperation with Peace Corps Romania, FEAC was invited to
participate in the Career Options seminar organized on March 25 for 40 PCVs finish-
ing their program in Romania. The two hour training included a panel that high-
lighted the options available to PCVs upon their return to the USA. Except for the
FEAC representative, the panelists were former PCVs who offered advice and tips in
their current capacities as members of the Foreign Service, Peace Corps Country Di-
rector, and representative of the PC Return program. The FEAC rep emphasized the
graduate school options and the Fulbright Student program. The panel was rounded
off by a career options fair where the Fulbright representative made available re-
sources documenting the selection process to the award program, its vision, and scope. At the end of
the training a number of PCVs expressed interest in applying to the Fulbright Student program and re-
quested additional information. Several others asked for information on the Fulbright Junior program, to
pass it on to Romanian counterparts and friends whom they deemed change agents, therefore poten-
tially worthy of a Fulbright award.
“In the Embassy” Program for College Students: A Close Up on Work in the
U.S. Foreign Service and Study in the USA
On Feb. 24 and March 24, Romanian college students discovered new facets of U.S.
work ethic, culture, and education. Through the "In the Embassy" program organized
every month by leading student organization “Ambition”, the U.S. Embassy and FEAC
inform and inspire participants about work in various sections of the U.S. Embassy, the
art of excelling in public diplomacy or as an economic expert, and making the right
choices when it comes to selecting and applying to U.S. graduate programs. Check
FEAC’s online Calendar section for updates on upcoming meetings!
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
Thu: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Phone: 021 231 9015 Comments? Suggestions?
Website: www.fulbright.ro E-mail us:
office@fulbright.ro
Location: 2, Ing. Costinescu St., Sector 1,
Bucharest 011878, Romania
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/Romanian.US.Fulbright.Commission
9 www.fulbright.ro