US grantees monthly trip to North-West Hungary

Written by Fulbright on 10/14/2024. Posted in News

US grantees monthly trip to North-West Hungary US grantees monthly trip to North-West Hungary
 

#Fulbright monthly meeting in October: The Commission organized a 2-day trip to North-West Hungary for US grantees at the Fulbright Program.

The group visited Széchenyi István University in Győr hosted by Célia Szénássy, International Secretary who gave a presentation to the participants about the institution, highlighting the high-quality education offered across 9 faculties, 11 academic fields, and 200 programmes, as well as the University’s research and development activities.

Florida Polytechnic University Prof. Rahul Razdan ’24 talked about his activities at Zala ZONE, one of Europe’s most advanced automotive proving ground and Purdue University Prof. Zhiwei Zhu ’24 on his research on the development of business analytics and data science education.

The day continued with sightseeing in Győr and a guided visit to the Esterházy Palace in Fertőd: the Hungarian Versailles, the country’s second largest and most decorative palace featuring Baroque splendour, Rococo luxury and a romantic French garden, where Joseph Haydn once composed his music.

On the next day the tour continued with sightseeing in Sopron and visit to the Memorial site of the 1989 Pan-European Picnic considered a significant event contributing to the lifting of the Iron Curtain and the reunification of Germany.

One of the organizers of the Picnic, László Nagy gave an eyewitness account of the events and presented Matthew Longo’s 2024 The Orwell Foundation Prize for Political Writing winner book: The Picnic – A Dream of Freedom and the Collapse of the Iron Curtain

Amplifying Human Stories through Public Art

Written by Fulbright on 10/10/2024. Posted in News

Amplifying Human Stories through Public Art Amplifying Human Stories through Public Art
 

Artist and Fulbright Hungary alum Isaac Campbell (’18 Fortepan / Museum of Ethnography) uses wheat paste murals to advocate for Americans held hostage and wrongfully detained abroad.

In 2022, his mural in Washington, D.C.’s Georgetown neighborhood received world-wide media coverage for the Bring Our Families Home Campaign, a group of families advocating for the safe return of Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad. The mural featured photographs of their loved ones, many of which were the last photographs taken of them before their captivity.

Wheat paste is not a permanent material. Time and the elements cause pieces of the murals to fade, rip, and deteriorate. This is intentional, to serve as a reminder that over time, these Americans, and their families, are deteriorating. The first mural was removed due to decay, but was refreshed on July 16, 2024. The family-led BOFH Campaign is supported by the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation that also serves as its fiscal sponsor.

“My Fulbright experience in Hungary laid the groundwork for this project. I am truly grateful for the Fulbright program – it changed the trajectory of my entire life. Without that experience, this mural would have never happened.”

As of now, 15 of the 19 people from the original mural have been released. #BringThemHome

Building Study Abroad Programs in Hungary for Students and Faculty from Appalachia

Written by Fulbright on 06/20/2024. Posted in News

Building Study Abroad Programs in Hungary for Students and Faculty from Appalachia 2024

The Commission organized the 5th U.S. Study Abroad Capacity Building tour for 10 representatives of 4 U.S. universities (Western Carolina University, East Tennessee State University, University of Louisville and University of Tennessee, Knoxville) from Appalachia between June 8-15, 2024

DAY 1

Lecture on History of Hungary

Lecture on American Hungarians in the Appalachia: Anna Fenyvesi (’24 West Virginia University)

City tour by bus

Visit to Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design: Anikó Illés (’19 Montclair State University)

 
DAY 2

Visiting the Heritage House – Hungarian Folk Culture and Folk Art: Péter Árendás, Professional Leader for Folk Music

Visit to Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music: Ágnes Lakatos (’23 Columbia College) and Gyula Fekete (’94 Northwestern University & ’04 Chicago College of Performing Arts), Vice Rector

Hungarian folk evening with the Sarjú Band and Historical Gypsy Music and Dinner

 
DAY 3

Visit to Eszterházy Károly Catholic University in Eger: Campus Tour, Archdiocese Library, Roma Residential College, University Winery, Innoregio Knowledge Center: Ilona Tari, Rector; Kálmán Váczy, Vice Rector; Györgyi Kovács Majorosné, Office for Int’l Relations Head

City walk, Observatory, Eger Castle, Egerszalók Salt Hill

 
DAY 4

Visit to University of Miskolc, Campus Tour: Péter Galbács (’18 University of Chicago)

Lecture on Social and Historical Overview of the Region: Virág Havasi and Attila Papp, Institute of Applied Social Sciences

Miskolctapolca, Cave Bath, Lillafüred

 
DAY 5

Visit to University of Debrecen: Elek Bartha, Vice Rector

UD Faculty of Humanities: Péter Csatár, Vice Dean and Gábor Biczó

UD Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Environmental Management and Economics: László Stündl, Dean; Péter Kőmíves and Troy Wiwczaroski

Mead making and tasting: Valter Pfliegler (’19 Harvard University), Faculty of Science and Technology

Hortobágy, Mátai Stud farm, Puszta Tour by horse carriage, Tiszaszőlős Falusi Patika Distillery

 
Read the blog post of a participant, Olivia Adinolfi, a student from East Tennessee State University.

Thirty five Hungarian Fulbrighters on their way to the US AY 2024-25

Written by Fulbright on 05/30/2024. Posted in News

Orientation Program for the Hungarian Fulbright grantees AY 2024/2025

 

Fulbright Hungary held its annual Pre-Departure Orientation and farewell cruise for 35 Hungarian Fulbrighters selected for grants during Academic Year 2024-25.

The Commission said goodbye to US scholars and students the same day, May 10, 2024, during the cruise.

The class of 2024-25 has 35 members and includes 2 Humphrey Fellows on the way to Arizona State University and Penn State / 16 students from all types of fields / 1 Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) / 15 scholars (4 lecturers and 11 researchers) and 1 Fulbright Schuman Program grantee.
A large proportion of these grantees came from the University of Szeged, Eötvös Loránd University and Budapest University of Technolgy and Economics. All in all, 19 different public institutions, universities, private firms and research organizations are represented including the Hungarian Defense Forces, and each person comes from a different academic field.

The students and scholars are headed to the following public and private universities in the US: Bard / UC Berkeley / Texas A&M U / NYU / UCLA / U of Minnesota / U of Hawaii / Michigan State U / Virginia Polytechnic Inst / Yale / U of Rhode Island / U of Wisconsin / California State Polytechnic U / U of Texas / UCSB / Adelphi U / U of Alaska / IU Bloomington / Columbia / Metropolitan State U of Denver / U of Maryland / U of Utah / West Virginia U / U of Arizona / Arizona State U / Alliant Int U / U of Denver / U of Pittsburgh / U of Virginia / Oregon State U / U of North Texas / BYU.

Pre-Departure Orientation program

  • Opening remarks by PAO Jonas D. Stewart, U.S. Embassy
  • Cultural adaptation- How to prepare? Tips and tricks by Nóra Petneházy (’22)
  • Visa Application by Nathan J. Shuler, Consular Officer, U.S. Embassy
  • Practical Issues for Fulbright Grantees on Travelling to the U.S. by Fulbright staff
  • Cultural and Educational Differences between the U.S. and Hungary by Patrick Leech (’23) and Sabrina Pasztor (’23)
  • Experiences and Practical Advice of 8 Former Fulbright Grantees

A separate mini-orientation was held on May 30 for 5 grantees who could not attend the regular orientation.

A separate mini-orientation was held on May 30 for 5 grantees who could not attend the regular orientation

Congratulations and we look forward to hearing about the great things they will do during their grant years.

Fulbright European Staff Meeting in Sofia 2024

Written by Fulbright on 03/18/2024. Posted in News

The Bulgarian Fulbright Commission hosted a meeting between March 13-15, 2024 for Program Officers from all over Europe, representing 23 different countries, to foster the exchange of best practices and a foundation for continuing collaboration, networking and knowledge-sharing. During the sessions led by staff members across the continent, participants heard about well-honed strategies for success and shared about any common challenges, experiences and insights they face together.

Thank you Fulbright Bulgaria for hosting and welcoming our staff members!

John von Neumann 120 Conference

Written by Fulbright on 11/10/2023. Posted in News

The John von Neumann 120 Conference at NYU Langone Health was co-organized by Consulate General of Hungary in New York with contribution of 10 alumni of the Fulbright Program to celebrate the scientific legacy of John von Neumann, the greatest integrator of pure and applied sciences.

Can we survive Technology? Among the panel members: Katalin Fehér (’21 Drexel University) and Bence Ságvári (’14 Indiana University)

The Fulbright John von Neumann Distinguished Award in STEM by former Chairs The Ohio State University Prof. Robert Baker ’22 & Viktor Chikan (’22 ELI ALPS Laser Research Institute) and ED Károly Jókay

AI in Healthcare – Are We Going to Live Forever? Among the panel members: Imre Varjú (’16 Boston Children’s Hospital) and Dr. Peták István (’97 St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital)

Student perspectives – Among the panel members: Orsolya Mózner (’23 Columbia University) and Zsuzsanna Gedeon (’14 New York University)

Special thanks to Viola Kántor (’23 The Graduate Center, CUNY) and NYU Grossman School of Medicine Andrea Hines (’99 Karinthy Frigyes High School) for the organization.

Seminar on Media Literacy, Communication and Media Skills in Education and Science Communication

Written by Fulbright on 10/30/2023. Posted in News

The Fulbright Commission in Hungary organized a Seminar on Media Literacy, Communication and Media Skills in Education and Science Communication between October 26-28, 2023 in Budapest funded by U.S. Department of State. Participants were 20 American Fulbright study/research and ETA grantees from the Visegrad 4 countries (Fulbright Poland, Fulbright Czech Republic, Fulbright Slovakia and Hungary), one grantee from Estonia, and Fulbright Commission staff from the V4 countries.

Speakers were all prominent experts of their field, and with one exception, they were all #Fulbright alums both from the United States and from Hungary. Sacramento State Prof. Molly Dugan (’22 Budapesti Corvinus Egyetem) gave a talk on the ‘Role of the Media in the 21st Century’.
This was followed by M4 Sport reporter Bence Mohay’s (’17 USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism) more practical presentation on ‘How to Give Impressive Interviews,’ then Eszterházy Károly Katolikus Egyetem Prof. Attila Kenyeres (’21 University of Pittsburgh) discussed fake news and media manipulation topics with the participants.

On the third day Prof. Gábor Prószéky (HUN-REN Hungarian Research Centre for Linguistics) gave an impressive talk on AI and ChatGPT, and Budapest University of Technology and Economics – BME Prof. Gergely Biczók (’07 Northwestern University & ’23 University of Michigan) on Cybersecurity.

Participants learned valuable insights into diverse approaches to media literacy, and into emerging areas like AI and cybersecurity. They appreciated the interdisciplinary approach, and the many practical ideas and useful links they received. The Seminar also offered them an opportunity to meet and make friends with fellow grantees from the Central-Eastern European region.

University of Kentucky Study Abroad Tour 2023

Written by Fulbright on 06/15/2023. Posted in News

University of Kentucky Study Abroad Tour 2023

The Commission hosted a weeklong study abroad program for 16 University of Kentucky, Lewis Honors College students and 2 faculty members between June 5-12, 2023 entitled: Cafe Europa, Croatia and Hungary: Dealing with the Past, but into What Future?

During the week the group visited Budapest landmarks: Heroes’ Square, City Park, Jewish Quarter, Dohány street Synagogue, Parliament building, Castle District, Central Market Hall

The group also participated in a Folk singing workshop and Folk Dance house.

Day 4 was a trip to the Danube Bend: Dobogókő, Esztergom Basilica, Visegrád fortress/lookout point, Szentendre, Boat cruise back to Budapest

Other programs included a guided tour of the Gödöllő Royal Palace and a visit to Memento Park

Fulbright 30th Anniversary Gala at the Liszt Academy of Music

Written by Fulbright on 10/11/2022. Posted in News

The Hungarian-American Fulbright Commission (Fulbright Alapítvány) celebrated the 30th Anniversary of its establishment on October 7, 2022 at a Gala held in the Solti Concert Hall at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music in Budapest. If the pre-Commission period is included, the history of the Fulbright Scholarship Program in Hungary goes back another 14 years to 1978.

Our Gala program recognized all Fulbrighters, Hungarians and Americans alike, through the presentation of culture. One important leg of the global Fulbright program, cultural exchange, means experiencing the different, sharing the familiar, and integrating this synthesis into a life of learning and curiosity. Fulbright scholars and students in all fields, such as the natural and social sciences, engineering, law, the arts and humanities are destined to absorb the culture and heritage of the US and Hungary respectively.

The Commission and its staff are eternally grateful to our alumni in the US and Hungary, who volunteer to act as peer reviewers, references, hosts, mentors, board members and interview panel members. Our work would not be possible without the support of the alumni community, thank you.

We are also grateful to our two founders, the governments of the United States and of Hungary, for their financial, technical and logistical support over the past three decades. Read Ambassador David Pressman’s remarks.

State Secretary László György Ambassador David Pressman

The Commission would like to thank our Hungarian host universities, many of whom are here with us today, for offering not only academic homes for our American students and scholars, but also for their ever-increasing financial contributions. In this sense too, Hungarian universities are rapidly converging with their US peers.

Our Board, upon suggestions from staff, has approved up to 5 Fulbright alumni travel awards per year, on a first-come-first-served basis, to help defray the cost of Hungarian Fulbright alumni attending academic conferences in the United States in order to serve on a panel or better yet, to present a paper. Details forthcoming.

The Fulbright Commission has decided to present an award, the Fulbright Hungary Medal, to five members of our alumni community who have served the cause over the past three decades.

Their service includes negotiating the initial bilateral agreement between Hungary and the United States, serving on and/or chairing the board, organizing alumni association activity, peer reviewing, interviewing, hosting, recommending and mentoring generations of students and scholars. Their time spent in the US as grantees, or in the case of Professor Donald Morse, as a US grantee in Hungary, contributed to US-Hungarian cultural, educational and scientific exchange in more ways that we can possibly list.

The awardees are: Professor Donald Morse; Professor Zoltán Abádi-Nagy; Professor Katalin Nagy; Professor Zita Zoltay Paprika.

Professor Donald Morse Professor Zoltán Abádi-Nagy

Professor Katalin Nagy Professor Zita Zoltay Paprika

There is a fifth awardee, who unfortunately has passed away a few weeks before this event. Our immediate past Board chairman, Professor Tibor Frank.
He will be sorely missed by all of us. We honored Professor Tibor Frank’s memory with a minute of silence and reflection.

More pictures of our event in the gallery below. Video material soon!

Fulbright 30th Anniversary Gala at the Liszt Academy of Music