On September 26-30th, we held a week-long series of orientation sessions for the new cohort of over forty U.S. grantees who have come to Poland on a Fulbright grant. In the upcoming months, they will be conducting research, engaging in didactic activities, as well as teaching at various institutions of higher education across Poland.
During the orientation meeting, our incoming Fulbrighters participated in numerous workshops and sessions led by the Commission staff, aimed at helping them get acquainted with i.e. grant specificities, higher education system in Poland, and various enrichment opportunities. They also had a chance to learn more about Polish language and culture; participate in a diversity, equity and inclusion session conducted by our Polish alumna dr Joanna Talewicz; enjoy a joint cooking session, where they learned some recipes from both Polish and Ukrainian cuisines; as well as learn some practical tips about living in Poland from our American alumni who joined us in Warsaw to share their experiences.
One may say that the icing on the cake of our meeting in Warsaw was the welcome reception at the residence of the US Ambassador and our Fulbrighter Mark Brzezinski. The Ambassador welcomed each and every one of his guests with a handshake and started his official remarks by reminiscing on his own Fulbright experience in Warsaw in 1991-93. “I just love the Fulbright Program. The Fulbright Program gave me, in my twenties, the world,” he said. And added: “It took me from Northern Virginia to Warsaw, Poland, where I could learn a language, and as a popular Czech saying goes, every language you know, another life you live.”
We are happy that we can host another cohort of U.S. grantees in Poland and we wish all of our Fulbrighters a fantastic academic year ahead. We hope your stay in Poland will be unforgettable.
Please take a look at the photo gallery from the event. Photos by Anna Liminowicz for Fulbright Poland.
