Fulbright Association Annual Meeting -- Lifetime Acheivement Awards -- President of the Republic of Croatia -- Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic

The President of the Republic of Croatia (Hrvatska) Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Fulbright Association.  Earlier in her career, she was a Fulbrighter at GW studying International relations.  A former Assistant Secretary General of NATO, she spoke of the importance of the Euro-Atlantic partnership.  She also chairs the only association of current/former women heads of state (76 members— I hope one day from the U.S!) and talked about the importance of women’s empowerment- rather than glass ceiling, she spoke of glass labyrinth , and she shared her theory of leadership.

with President Grabar-Kitarovic

 

President Grabar-Kitarovic accepting the Fulbright Lifetime Achievement Award

  This NPR junkie loved hearing from (former) All Things Considered duo Robert Siegel and Melissa Block — Siegel introduced Block , who was being honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Fulbright Association ...Block read thru her application to Fulbright from 1982 as well as her letters home from Switzerland (which her mom had saved) to prepare for her remarks- enjoyed hearing about how her Fulbright (literature)prepared her for journalism career ... but for me, the most inspiring part of her remarks were the passages she shared from Fulbright’s book The Arrogance of Power, the chapter on citizenship and dissent. I have not read this book yet- but I have already ordered a copy!

 

Fulbright Association Annual Meeting 2019 -- Welcome Reception -- Fulbright Hungary and Marymount

After our Fulbright Advocacy Day activities, we attended a Welcome Reception hosted by Fulbright Hungary and Marymount University (Ballston Campus)
 

with colleagues from USF Tampa, USF Sarasota, and the ED of the Fulbright Association

we met at the Marymount Ballston Campus

The President of Marymount welcoming Fulbrighters

Team USF

the Director of the Fulbright Commission in Mexico --and my Advocacy Day team leader -- she got the memo about the pearls ;-)

Fulbright Association Annual Meeting: Advocacy Days 2019

This was the first time that I was able to participate in Fulbright Advocacy Days -- to be able to share my story of the impact of Fulbright and the importance of this public diplomacy program.

I was assigned to a team of Fulbrighters from Florida, led by the Director of the Fulbright commission in Mexico. Our group of Floridians met with the offices of Representative Charlie Crist, Representative Lois Frankel, and Senator Rick Scott.

I was so pleased when I learned that our first meeting would be with the office of Congressman Charlie Crist (my Member of Congress) and that we would be meeting with my former student!

When we met with Senator Rick Scott's senior policy advisor about the Fulbright Program, I learned that he is a former Provost and mentor to another Fulbrighter to Moldova and that he did his dissertation in Mexico (the head of Fulbright Commission in Mexico was our Team Leader). So we had lots to talk about.  Our team thoroughly enjoyed our discussion in Senator Scott's Office about higher ed in general and the Fulbright Program in particular.

We also had an engaging meeting with Representative Lois Frankel's office about the Fulbright Program.  We met with her foreign policy advisor, who was quite knowledgeable (and he also shared info about initiatives Rep Frankel is working on that I want to learn more about, e.g., assistance for rape victims in Kosovo).

 

Our meeting in Rep Charlie Crist' Office was with my former student  :-)  proud prof moment

 

Rep Lois Frankel is the artist!

Office of Representative Lois Frankel

Office of Senator Rick Scott

 

Fulbright Association Annual Meeting: 60th Anniversary of Polish - US Fulbright Program

While in DC for the Fulbright Association Annual Meeting, it was a pleasure to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Polish-US Fulbright Program at the Polish Ambassador's Residence in Washington, DC.

Speakers at the event included the Director of the Fulbright Poland, the Vice Chair of the Fulbright Scholarship Board (Anita McBride), the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Lussenhop, His Excellency the Polish Ambassador Piotr Wilczek, and the Chair of the Board of Fulbright Association Mary Ellen Schmider.
    

With His Excellency Piotr Wilczek, the Polish Ambassador- and the Director of Fulbright Poland

with my colleagues from USF Tampa and USF Sarasota

Tried this cherry brandy

Pierogis at the Polish Ambassador’s Residence

With the Directors of Fulbright Poland and Fulbright Mexico

  I was particularly touched by Mary Ellen's reference to the WH Auden poem written as the Germans had invaded Poland at the start of WWII -- including relevant stanza:

W.H. Auden's September 1, 1939 poem

Defenceless under the night
Our world in stupor lies;
Yet, dotted everywhere,
Ironic points of light
Flash out wherever the Just
Exchange their messages:
May I , composed like them
Of Eros and of dust
Beleaguered by the same
Negation and despair
Show an affirming flame


(My blog post from my visit to the post office in Gdansk where the first shots of WWII were fired 
https://jainmoldova.blogspot.com/2016/07/gdansk-post-office-first-shots-fired 

Fulbright Association Annual Meeting: Poster Presentation "The Multiplier Effect" -- October 2019

Wonderful to have the opportunity to present my poster

"The Multiplier Effect: How My Fulbrights to Moldova and Macedonia Inspired Many New Programs and Activities"

at the 2019 Fulbright Association conference in Washington, DC.

In many ways, the experience while on a Fulbright in the host country is only the beginning.  A myriad of new projects have developed as a result of my Fulbright experience -- benefiting colleagues and students in the host countries and at my home institution.

I tried to capture as many examples as I could on this 2 dimensional poster:

Balkan Insight article: "Lonely Planet Lists North Macedonia as a 'Top Desination'"

https://balkaninsight.com/2019/10/23/lonely-planet-lists-north-macedonia-as-a-top-destination

Lonely Planet Lists North Macedonia as a ‘Top Destination’

Sinisa Jakov Marusic

Skopje

BIRN

October 23, 2019

Guidebook company Lonely Planet named North Macedonia as one of the world’s best tourist destinations in 2020 due to its “untouched natural wonders”, ranking it third behind Bhutan and England.

St John at Kaneo church in Ohrid, North Macedonia. Photo: BIRN.

One of the most popular travel guides, Lonely Planet, has included North Macedonia as its third best travel destination for 2020, citing its rich history, the clear waters of Lake Ohrid and the country’s picturesque mountain peaks.
“Part Balkan, part Mediterranean and rich in Greek, Roman and Ottoman heritage, North Macedonia has a fascinating past and a complex national identity,” Lonely Planet said on its website.
While pinpointing Lake Ohrid and the ancient coastal town of the same name as the top tourist destination in the country, Lonely Planet said this is far from all that North Macedonia has to offer.
The travel guide also advises visiting the Mavrovo, Galicica and Pelister national parks for their mixture of wild nature, breathtaking mountain views and culinary experiences.
“Dramatic mountains have blissfully quiet walking trails, lakes and riding opportunities,” it said.
“These gorgeous regions are as yet little explored, so if you want to get off the beaten track in Europe – this is the place,” it added.
Touching on the subject of North Macedonia’s capital Skopje, Lonely Planet remarked that last government’s grand revamp project which sprinkled “grotesque faux-neoclassical monuments, buildings and fountains” around the city centre have fortunately failed to ruin its unique charm.
“Luckily, its Ottoman old town and buzzing modern areas are untouched and remain charming and authentic,” it said.
The latest Lonely Planet list of top destinations ranks Bhutan in the Himalayas as the number one for 2020, and England, with its unique seaside and historic buildings, as the runner-up.

Road to the White House Planning Trip -- September 2019 - a stop at Brown University to see Petar Pesev!

I was traveling to New Hampshire to make the arrangements for my Road to the White House class.  This is a course about the history and politics of US presidential campaigns that includes a trip to NH and an intensive 10-day internship leading up to the first-in-the-nation primary.

See the course website
https://www.usfsp.edu/road-to-the-white-house/

and the course blog
https://rtwh2020.blogspot.com/

for more about the course. 

What does this planning trip have to do with Macedonia?

I had the opportunity to visit Petar Pesev at Brown University!

Followers of this blog may remember when I had the pleasure of attending his high school graduation from Nova in Skopje
https://jainmacedonia.blogspot.com/2017/06/nova-graduation-celebrating-class-of.html

Now Petar is a junior -- and exceeding all expectations (naturally). Wonderful to visit the Brown campus and to hear how things are going over a cup of coffee (not one of my beloved macchiattos, as in Skopje, but.....I did try one of their famous muffins) 

(here's my Ode to the Macchiatto.... my initial reaction to coffee culture in Macedonia...https://jainmacedonia.blogspot.com/2017/02/an-ode-to-macchiatto.html)

There used to be regular non-stop flights from TPA to MHT every day, multiple times a day. As I have been working on the NH planning trip (and making arrangements for the February trip) I have since learned that the number of non-stop flights to MHT has been dramatically reduced (and, in fact, for our February trip it looks like we will be flying into Boston's Logan airport instead).

In any case, due to Hurricane Dorian, changes needed to be made to my flight in to NH.  I had a very packed agenda planned -- and even arriving one day later would mean several meetings would have to be cancelled.  A solution was to adjust my flight so that I could fly non-stop to Providence, RI (instead of MHT).  (The drive from Providence to Manchester was about 1 hour and 45 minutes.) 

I flew into PVD, rented a car, and then drove into Providence. Enjoyed lunch with my former boss/mentor, the former ED of the NH Democratic Party (and Brown alum) at the Hope Club -- and then enjoyed a quick tour of the Brown campus with Petar Pesev.  And I still got to my first meeting in Manchester on time.  (First stop was the Beto HQs on Elm Street, see https://rtwh2020.blogspot.com/2019/09/rtwh-2020-planning-trip-september-2019_21.html

quick tour of the Brown University campus

at the Hope Club in Providence

We were even able to use facebook video to say Zdravo to Aneta Peseva in Skopje while we were together at Brown!

Fulbright Pre-Departure Orientation Summer 2019 -- Eurasia -- July 2019 -- University of Kansas

I was so pleased to be asked to present at the Fulbright Pre-Departure Orientation for the outbound Fulbrighters to Eurasia (2019-20).

Fulbrighters heading to North Macedonia 2019-20!  to Skopje, Bitola, Stip, and Tetovo

Specifically, my job was to lead the North Macedonia Country sessions as well as to present during a panel for those bringing spouses and dependents.  We (Fulbright alumni) are also requested to be present at all sessions - so that we can offer comments, answer questions, and talk to the outbound Fulbrighters during the coffee breaks and meals.

This was my 5th Pre-Departure Orientation. (I attended one before my Fulbright to Moldova, and then the year after I returned to speak to the next group going to Moldova; and I attended before my Fulbright to Macedonia and then when I returned to speak with the next group going to North Macedonia.  And I was pleased to return this year as well to meet with the lucky Fulbrighters who are heading to North Macedonia this year.)

The other 4 PDOs were in Washington, DC.  This year, there was a bidding process, and the University of Kansas in Lawrence earned the opportunity to host this year's Eurasia PDO.


Hosting the PDOs outside of DC, as the State Department did this year, actually saved almost a half a million dollars.  At first I was skeptical about having the PDOs outside of DC, but it worked out well. All of the speakers from KU (from regional experts, study abroad resources, and sexual harassment trainers - and many others) were outstanding. And while we always appreciate the opportunity to travel to DC -- I have to say that Lawrence is a charming college town -- and we enjoyed our time in Kansas.

There are 3 days of sessions at the PDOs - filled with essential information to make the Fulbright a success.

The first session that I attended was for the Alumni -- the Pre-Orientation Meeting -- to review expectations for the PDO. How thrilled I was when I looked over to see a former colleague from the US Embassy in Chisinau at a nearby table.  Glad we had the opportunity to catch up.  (And I also had the opportunity to meet with some of the Fulbrighters heading to Moldova this year as well - including one heading to Transnistria! Times are changing.)

What a treat to see Irina from the US Embassy in Chisinau

We learned at our orientation meeting that from the survey feedback from prior PDOs that the alumni interaction is the most important part of the Fulbright Pre-Departure Orientation. I agree. I will be forever grateful for the Fulbright alums who presented at the PDO before I left for Moldova -- Lorraine and Javier.  (Actually, Javier spoke with me before I even decided to apply to Moldova, and his experiences informed my decision.  And Lorraine helped in so many ways -- with finding an apartment, driver, phone in Chisinau.   In fact, Lorraine and I subsequently published an article together! The alumni network serves as such a great resource for future Fulbrighters.)

Grantees come to the orientation with a myriad of questions - not all of which they want to direct to the State Department or to the US Embassy.  Mundane - but vital - things (like renting an apartment, navigating the public transportation, learning the language, finding items soy milk or tofu at the grocery store) are topics that can be best covered in small group setting with recent alumni.

Here are some pictures from our North Macedonia country session:

our Macedonia country session -- also joined by my daughter (who traveled with me to Macedonia in 2017 and 2019) and lead from the US Department of State Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, which administers the Fulbright Program

our break out room for our country sessions

Some of the materials I brought for "show and tell" during our North Macedonia session

I also presented on the panel for Fulbrighters who will be bringing spouses and dependents with them on their grants

how grateful I am that my daughter was able to join me in Moldova in 2010 and 2012 and in North Macedonia in 2017 and 2019!!

So much is covered in the 3-day conference. There are sessions on personal health and well-being, tools for telling your Fulbright story, your identity abroad, personal safety and security, grant administration -- everything one needs to prepare for the experience logistically -- as well as practical sessions related to teaching and research -- as well as substantive sessions related to the role of Fulbright in US foreign policy and breakout sessions with regional experts. There are also networking and community building activities that are sometimes organized by country and at other times organized by award type (student, scholar, ETA).

my regional break out session was held in the law school

the expert session on the Balkans

P joining me in the lecture hall to learn about US Foreign Policy

There was one night where there was no formal organized dinner -- so we were free to explore the charming Lawrence downtown. We went to a Mexican restaurant for dinner and then out for ice cream -- with different groups of Fulbrighters at each venue.

out with Fulbright students and ETAs - such a wonderful group of bright young minds

delicious ice cream at Sylas and Maddie's!

dinner at Mexquisito Mexican restaurant

The closing dinner featured a performance by Kolograd (local group that performs Eastern European folk music). And we also had the opportunity to meet members of the Fulbright Scholarship Board there as well.

For more about the Fulbright Scholarship Board, see
https://eca.state.gov/fulbright/about-fulbright/j-william-fulbright-foreign-scholarship-board-ffsb

Members of the Fulbright Scholarship Board -- Kevin Hanrahan and Paul Winfree