GRANT PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

The Hungarian Fulbright Program is one of the largest programs in the region. Within the core Fulbright Program, the Commission tries to achieve a balance between the natural and physical sciences and the social sciences, humanities and the arts. Awards go not only to individual scholars from the academic world but also to specialists in increasingly important areas, such as environmental protection, business, management, micro and macroeconomics, and public and health administration. The Commission also focuses special attention on fields where HungarianAmerican cooperation promises longterm benefits. Included are the study of American society, culture, literature, sciences and institutions. The Commission continues to work with established and developing centers of American Studies in Hungary to strengthen their course offerings and support their research activities.

While the core of this program remains academic at the post graduate level and beyond, the need for deeper cultural understanding transcends the universities. Therefore, in the last several years the Commission has encouraged greater participation from applicants in traditionally non-academic fields as well.

NONGRANT PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

Educational Advising

In Hungary, a growing number of students seeks opportunities for further education in the United States, in programs offering a first degree as well as in graduate-level courses. In November 1994, the Commission established the Educational Advising Center to advise Hungarian students wishing to pursue their further education in the United States. Educational Advising is an essential part of the work of the Commission, which sees itself as the primary source of information in Hungary for those interested in U.S. education. The Fulbright Commission's Educational Advising Center is part of a national network. The center is open to the public and its services are available for individual and group counselling (for undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and researchers). The center also handles inquiries on all aspects of United States education. It does not, however, arrange for the admission of Hungarian students into American higher education institutions.

With its library of reference books, American university catalogue collection, and CD-ROMs, the Advising Center provides the most comprehensive source of information in Hungary about U.S. higher education. The Advising Center maintains close ties with the other advising centers in Hungary. (They are in Budapest, Debrecen, Miskolc, Pécs, Szeged, and Veszprém.) The center offers workshops on the American system of higher education and serves as a liaison between American universities and the foreign relations offices of some Hungarian universities.

InterCountry Program

The Commission, by funding travel and maintenance costs, offers American Fulbright scholars affiliated with Fulbright Programs in other European countries the opportunity to lecture at Hungarian universities and participate at conferences organized in Hungary. It is hoped that these lectures and conference participations will generate further exchange activities among European universities.

Seminars

The Commission will occasionally sponsor seminars on the development of Hungarian higher education and other topics. Other seminars provide participants with a better understanding of the mission of the Commission, its programs, and the Educational Advising Center. The Commission always welcomes suggestions to improve its programs.