On Thursday, June 27, the Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission hosted its Pre-departure Orientation Seminar devoted to the Romanian Fulbright grantees leaving for the U.S. to study or conduct research in the academic year 2019-2020.

The event started with a series of welcome speeches by distinguished guests representing the U.S. Embassy in Romania, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Fulbright Board of Directors and the alumni community. The speakers insisted on the importance of the Fulbright program, which has helped build bridges of friendship and understanding between our two countries.

The participants also had the opportunity to interact with representatives of the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy Bucharest who provided specific details and advice on J & F visas. Next on the agenda, Romanian Alumni and U.S. Fulbright Scholars participated in several panel discussions, offering practical information to the current grantees starting their U.S. Fulbright experience in the coming months. The workshop “The ABCs of emotional resilience: how to soothe and challenge yourself in a new environment”, which concluded the Orientation, offered guidance and practical tips to all the students and scholars preparing for their forthcoming departure to the U.S., to help them overcome the pressure of adjusting to a new environment.

The Reception held at Casa Oamenilor de Știință (COS) provided the participants with yet another occasion to socialize and celebrate this day. We wish all the best to the 2019-2020 group of Romanian students and scholars and look forward to hearing from them as they embark on their experience in the U.S.!