As June ushers in the end of Poland’s academic year, it also marks the culmination of the 2024-25 Fulbright U.S. cohort’s grant period. This is a natural moment for reflection – on the knowledge gained, the connections made, and the experiences that have shaped a transformative year abroad.
To honor this milestone and to celebrate our grantees’ achievements, we will gather for a graduation ceremony, during which this year’s U.S. grantees will receive certificates of the Fulbright Program’s completion, as they symbolically transition from grantees to alumni – ambassadors of the Polish-American cultural and educational exchange.
We are deeply grateful to our event partner, the American Studies Center (ASC) at the University of Warsaw, for hosting this year’s graduation. As one of our partners in the Fulbright Distinguished Scholar program and the academic cradle for many Polish and American Fulbrighters, the ASC is a perfectly fitting venue to honor the journeys and friendships cultivated over the past year.
We are immensely proud that this year’s cohort – echoing the sentiments of many alumni – describes the Fulbright Program as a life-changing experience that fosters cross-cultural understanding, academic collaboration, and lasting personal bonds.
Academic Growth and Professional Milestones
For many Fulbrighters, the opportunity to conduct research or teach in Poland accelerated their careers. Whether publishing scholarly articles, advancing doctoral dissertations, or exhibiting original artwork, our U.S. grantees consistently found that their time in Poland propelled their work to new heights.
“The opportunity is even larger than I imagined; I have made connections, and my research has become much more defined due to what I have learned here,” shared Sofia Bachman, a student researcher at the University of Łódź.
“I would recommend the Fulbright experience to my peers because it has been an incredibly rewarding experience in many unique facets. I have made memories, friends, connections, and have learned things about myself and the world that I will never forget and will always cherish,” added Jesse Funtleyder, an ETA at the University of Łomża.
“I would highly recommend this experience to any of my peers. As a Fulbright Scholar, I was presented with numerous opportunities for professional growth, built solid international collaborations, and gained vast knowledge about the history and culture of my host city – thanks to my colleagues and my amazing Fulbright Buddy,” said Urszula Norton, a Fulbright Scholar at the Wrocław University of Natural Sciences.
Cultural Immersion and Personal Growth
Living and working in Poland offered grantees a deeply immersive cultural experience. From navigating daily life in a new language to engaging in meaningful dialogues about history, politics, and identity, many found their worldviews profoundly reshaped.
“Through Fulbright I have been able to not only greatly enhance my abilities as a musician and scholar, but also meet an incredible international community within my discipline,” said Charlotte McDonald, a student researcher at the Krzysztof Penderecki Academy of Music in Kraków. “Being able to fully immerse myself in Polish culture has greatly expanded my world perspective and allowed me to truly grow, both personally and professionally.”
Cherise Northcutt, a scholar at the SWPS University in Warsaw says: “The entire experience has been professionally and personally life changing. Academically, the students are very bright, curious and have a strong desire to learn. My host at the University has been supportive and welcoming and has become a friend. The University has been very supportive in orienting me and providing me with what I need in order to teach.”
Building Relationships, Bridging Cultures
Grantees frequently described the relationships formed in Poland as among the most valuable aspects of their experience – whether with students, colleagues, mentors, or members of their host communities.
“There was no time during my scholarship as an English language assistant when I was not engaged with the Polish population. Whether the conversations were existential or mundane… my interactions, ideas, and experiences mattered to people, and in turn, they shared themselves fully and earnestly with me,” reflected Anthony Ornelaz, an ETA at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań.
“The Fulbright grant is an incredible way to spend a year immersed in another culture, supported by an incredible staff, as you and those around you grow into more global-minded citizens,” said Lane Johansen, an ETA at the University of Applied Sciences in Nysa. “It strikes the perfect balance between meaningful work and free time to explore and connect with your host country.”
These connections often extended beyond professional settings, leading to meaningful friendships, participation in local traditions, and genuine integration into the fabric of their host communities – experiences that will resonate for a lifetime.
Lasting Impact and Global Citizenship
For most grantees, the Fulbright year in Poland transcended academic pursuits, becoming a life-altering experience that shaped their future careers and fostered a deeper sense of global responsibility.
In their own words, Fulbright participants describe the program in Poland as “monumental,” “life-changing,” and “incredibly rewarding.” As they return to the United States, they carry not only academic and professional achievements but also a profound appreciation for Poland and its people – alongside a renewed commitment to international cooperation and understanding. The impact of their Fulbright year will undoubtedly continue to enrich their lives and communities for years to come.
