We were delighted to welcome back Prof. Scott M. Campbell (’07 Fulbright) to Hungary, this time with his students from Nazareth University!

Their visit kicked off with a fascinating lecture on Hungarian history at the Fulbright Office, followed by a guided tour of beautiful Budapest led by our very own American Program Officer, Annamária Sas.

The cohort also actively participated in the vibrant America Week 2025 events in Veszprém, co-organized by the University of Pannonia, English and American Studies Institute and American Corner Veszprém.

Did you know this annual event, celebrating U.S.-Hungarian ties, was initiated 17 years ago by Prof. Campbell during his time as a Fulbright Program scholar at University of Pannonia? This incredible connection has blossomed into a sister college relationship and even a joint master’s degree program!

The opening remarks at America Week were delivered by Fulbright Board member and U.S. Embassy Budapest Cultural Attaché Melissa Quartell, who spoke passionately about the vital work of American diplomats, the historic bonds between the Hungarian and American people, and the powerful impact of exchange programs like Fulbright and FLEX.

It was fantastic to see students and professors from Nazareth University contributing as speakers and immersing themselves in cultural exchange activities in Veszprém. America Week at the University of Pannonia sparked insightful discussions on the strong U.S.-Hungarian connections.

This story truly highlights how participating in an exchange program creates a ripple effect, benefiting not only the individual grantee but their entire community.

A huge thank you to Prof. Campbell and Szilárd Szentgyörgyi (’15 Nazareth U #Fulbright) for their incredible 17-year partnership in fostering these invaluable connections between their institutions!

From ancient ruins to cutting-edge tech! Our March Fulbright meeting took US grantees on a fascinating journey through Budapest, exploring Aquincum Museum’s Roman history & Graphisoft Park’s innovative spirit.

The day began with an exploration of Kolodko Art’s miniature sculptures along the Danube, setting a playful tone for the day.

The group then delved into ancient history at the Aquincum Museum, learning about the Roman military and civil town’s pivotal role as the capital of Pannonia Inferior. Highlights included the museum’s displays on the Legio II Adiutrix, the city’s golden age under Septimius Severus, and the eventual transition to the Huns.

Centuries later, in 1778 an Óbuda winegrower discovered the remains of Roman underfloor heating while digging pits. The origin and role of the remains was recognized by a university librarian, who connected them with the town of Aquincum.

The afternoon shifted to modern innovation at Graphisoft Park. Marcel Hillier, Product Marketing Expert, presented on Graphisoft SE and its flagship architectural BIM software. Grantees were also treated to a glimpse of tech history:

* the world’s first Steve Jobs statue, commissioned by Graphisoft founder Gábor Bojár. The relationship between Graphisoft and Apple can be traced to the 1980’s, when Jobs came across the first version of Graphisoft’s Archicad software.

* the world’s first statue of Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto

The group also learned about the establishment of AIT-Budapest, which offers study abroad programs for North American computer science students.

The event showcased the diverse cultural and technological landscape of Budapest, offering grantees a comprehensive experience of the city.

9 returned Hungarian alumni of the Fulbright Program of 2023-2024, and 2024-2025 academic years presented on their teaching/research and personal experience in a public conference

Special thanks to US scholar section chairs Joseph Tanke ’24 and Lourenco Paz ’24 for their contribution and Judit Kádár ’12 representing the Alumni Association.

• Bálint Bordács (’23 Georgetown University): Similarities and differences of antitrust law and competition law
• Andrea Szávó (’24 The University of Texas at Austin): On a novel distinction between lexical and superlexical resultatives in Hungarian
• Márton Varjú (’23 Temple University): The right that never was. Comparative reflections on the right to healthcare in post-war USA and Central European University
• Ágota Szekeres (’24 BYU): Testing the peer-nomination method supported by the SMETRY framework in an intercultural context
• Gergő Fekete (’24 University of Wisconsin-Madison): ‘Should I stay or should I go?’ A Fulbright TEA journey of learning, growth and reflection
• Kinga Szálkai (’24 Oregon State University): Roll On, Columbia: Lessons from the Modernization of the Columbia River Treaty
• Bálint Fazekas (’24 The University of Utah): Virtual Material Design Based on Micromechanical Progressive-damage Simulations
• Borbála Takács (’24 Adelphi University / UC Santa Barbara): Theory vs. Practice – Professional and Personal Experiences on How Sports Can Reduce Prejudice and Foster Inclusion
• Zoltán Elek (’23 Boston University): My Self-Discovery Journey as a Humphrey Fellow

Hungarian architects of 1956 – an article on Gabor Lorant (’00 Budapest University of Technology and Economics – BME #Fulbright) in Építészfórum online architecture magazine.

Interestingly, Gabor’s life bears striking similarities to the Hungarian architect László Tóth, portrayed by Adrien Brody who recently won The Academy Oscar for best actor for this role in “The Brutalist”. While Tóth is a fictional character, the parallels between his career trajectory and Gabor’s, particularly the experience of exile and the subsequent navigation of a new architectural landscape, are undeniable.

Born Zsitvay Gábor Lóránt (1930-2005), he was invited by Frank Lloyd Wright to settle in Phoenix, Arizona, after the 1956 revolution.

One of America’s most famous architects was in his 90s at the time, but the influence of his design approach still left its mark on the young Hungarian architect’s work, at least in terms of the use of materials and the construction of form. His buildings, with their south-western solutions, are faithful to tradition, but at the same time contemporary, human-scale and adaptable to the needs of their users.

In 1963 he set up his own practice, Gabor Lorant Architect. Over 30 years under his leadership, they designed and constructed buildings of various functions in 42 states and 3 countries.

Beyond his design work, Gabor made significant contributions to the field through his technical manual, “Seismic Design Principles,” a vital resource for constructing earthquake-resistant structures.

Gabor Lorant’s story is a testament to the enduring legacy of Hungarian architects, particularly those who, like many in 1956, were forced to forge new paths in foreign lands. His work stands as a bridge between cultures, a tangible representation of the enduring spirit of Hungarian architectural ingenuity.

For a glimpse into Gabor’s architectural legacy, visit:
epiteszforum.hu/56-os-magyar-epiteszek-gabor-lorant

Alum Book launch in Szeged: Hungarian Roots & American Dreams by co-editor Anna Fenyvesi (’24 West Virginia University #Fulbright)

The book explores the rich tapestry of experiences connecting Hungary and the United States.

A packed room at the Szeged Szent-Györgyi Albert Agóra on February 7th buzzed with excitement for the launch of “Hungarian Roots & American Dreams.” The event, celebrating the new book drew an audience of approximately 120, with many more joining online. Editors, 17 contributing authors, family members, colleagues, and community members were all in attendance.

The launch also served as a reunion for Fulbright alumni, with Ágnes Fülemile (’98 Rutgers University & ’92 UC Berkeley / The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York), Anita Kéri (’22 San Jose State University), and Bertalan Takács (’23 UC San Diego) among those present.

The program featured an impromptu lecture by ethnographer Balázs Balogh, who authored the volume’s introduction. Following his talk, three of the book’s authors shared compelling stories from their families’ histories, bringing the book’s themes to life.

“I want to thank all our authors for sharing their stories – we wouldn’t have a volume without you!” said co-editor Fenyvesi.

The English version of the book is available for purchase on Amazon.

Photos from the event were taken by István Roboz.

The U.S.-Hungary Fulbright Commission recently welcomed its newest cohort of American grantees to Hungary with a comprehensive 2 + 1-day orientation program.

The program kicked off with two days of presentations covering a range of topics designed to prepare the scholars for their time in Hungary, including U.S.-Hungarian cultural differences and connections, history, language, higher education, politics, and practical matters.

On the 3rd day, the Commission organized a guided walking tour of City Park (Liget Budapest.), showcasing landmarks such as

• House of Music, Hungary (Magyar Zene Háza)
• George Washington statue
• Museum of Ethnography (Néprajzi Múzeum)

The tour provided the grantees with an opportunity to explore Budapest’s cultural offerings and connect with Hungarian heritage.

In observance of U.S. National Day of Mourning, the Hungarian-American Fulbright Commission for Educational Exchange would like to commemorate the legacy of the 39th President, James Earl (Jimmy) Carter.

His presidency left a significant mark on Hungary, where he is remembered for returning the Holy Crown to the people of Hungary in 1978. A symbol of a thousand years of Hungarian statehood, the Crown had been in U.S. custody at Fort Knox since the end of WWII.

The event and the resultant good feeling enabled the first Fulbright grants in 1979.

President Carter traveled to Budapest in 1996 as the keynote speaker of the Spirit of Global Understanding conference (picture) to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Global Fulbright program.

The Humphrey Fellowship Program was also founded by President Carter in 1978 with the intent to create a program that embodied the values of democracy, social justice, and a desire to assist the world’s developing nations.

His death marks the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, moral clarity, and service.

10 returned Hungarian alumni of The Fulbright Program of 2023-2024 academic year presented on their teaching/research and personal experience in a public conference.

Special thanks to US scholar section chairs Christopher Grayson ’24 and Grant Currier ’23 for their contribution.

• Kristóf Pap (’23 NYU School of Law): The reform of international investment law
• Eszter Szép (’23 University of Oregon): Graphic Narratives and Design
• Barnabás Szászi (’23 Harvard Business School): What are the most effective ways to increase happiness worldwide?
• Gabriella Lükő (’23 Colorado School of Mines): Surface heat exchange processes over the Great Lakes in winter
• Veronika Hornyák Gracza (’23 American University): The other side of the same coin: gender equality, military operations and defence policy across the Atlantic
• Judit Kis (’23 University of North Texas): Optomotry-based investigation of a novel anti-glaucoma agent
• Viktor Németh (’23 New York University): The importance and role of restorative mediation in cases of property crime
• Andrea Timár (’23 Brown University): Hannah Arendt and Literature
• Attila Császár (’23 NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory / Caltech): Networking in spectroscopy and in California
• Krisztina Petra Gula (’23 UC Berkeley): On the Borderline of Criminal Justice and Mental Health: Mental Health Courts in California

9 returned Hungarian alumni of The Fulbright Program of 2023-2024 academic year presented on their teaching/research and personal experience in a public conference at Corvinus University of Budapest recently inaugurated, future-oriented new Gellért Campus with inspiring and innovative spaces.

The event began with opening remarks from Prof. Tamás Magyarics, Chair of the Fulbright Commission Board.

We were also honored to hear from Melissa Quartell, Cultural Attaché, U.S. Embassy Budapest, who shared heartfelt words of encouragement and appreciation celebrating knowledge, innovation, and the power of international collaboration.

Finally, Rodrigo Ballester, Ministerial Commissioner for Higher Education, Ministry of Culture and Innovation welcomed the audience on behalf of the Minister.

• Bálint Béres (’23 City of Hope Beckman Research Institute): Quantitative analysis of Extracellular Vesicles
• Kata Hubai (’23 Humphrey Fellowship Program at Vanderbilt Peabody College): Supporting novice teachers’ transitioning into in-service teaching
• Sára Török (’23 FLTA at Indiana University): My Year In Indiana
• Máté Szórád (’23 UCLA Extension): Budapest to Hollywood and Back: Production Services Across Continents
• Szilvia Néveri Varagya (’23 Harrisburg University of Science and Technology): What Voters Want? Political Polarization Through Leadership Preferences
• Patrik Pördi (’22 University of Maryland / Maryland Applied Graduate Engineering): Studying robotics in the greater DC area combined with dynamic drone startup collaboration in Utah
• József Balázs Fejes (’23 Rutgers University): Research on Motivation and a Researcher’s Motivation
• Andrea Soós (’23 Fulbright Schuman Grantee at Center for Architecture (AIANY)): Transatlantic Relations in Architecture
• Soma Papp (’23 Colorado State University): Scribing with lasers – novel sensor platform for diagnostic tests

Special thanks to US scholar section chairs Cynthia Horne ’24 and Peter Fuleky ’24 for their contribution.