The 2025–26 program year officially started on 1 October 2025 for 205 US and 24 Austrian program participants, and we look forward to the months ahead with excitement, knowing that—like previous cohorts—they will show us what it means to “speak Fulbright Austria:” to communicate not only through verbal communication, but with openness, respect, and a deep commitment to mutual understanding.

Language is more than words; it is the bridge that allows people to share ideas, emotions, and stories. At our recent orientations, our homecoming meet & greet, and the ceremony for the winners of the Fulbright Prize in American Studies, I had the feeling that our community of bright minds shares a special language. One that helps not only to share knowledge in their respective fields of expertise—be it education, arts, science, or the humanities—but also to serve as messengers beyond our own perspectives to make it easier for individuals to understand the other side of the Atlantic. And in so doing, our community members make a meaningful contribution toward our mission of connecting peoples, connecting nations, and connecting generations as educators in the classroom, as scientists doing their research, as artists creating their art, or as specialists in their respective fields.

The language that our program participants speak and teach is a language that connects and intertwines cultures, a language that sparks curiosity. This exchange goes far beyond grammar or vocabulary; it lays the foundation to translate values, foster understanding, and connect hearts and minds across borders. In a time when global challenges can so easily divide us, our program participants speak a language that fosters the sort of dialogue, empathy, and curiosity that can unite us.

For 75 years, members of our community have “spoken Fulbright Austria” by sharing messages that leave a lasting impact and contribute to our mission even after the messenger has passed. For example, Edith Rupp, who was an Austrian Fulbright student in the inaugural 1951–52 cohort, and Anton Pelinka, who was an Austrian Fulbright scholar at the University of New Orleans in the 1980–81 program year and at Harvard University in the 1989–90 program year, spoke about their Fulbright Austria experiences and the impact those experiences had on them throughout their lives. In both Edith’s interview and Anton’s interview, listeners can gain insight into their individual experiences but also explore their nuanced understanding of both their home and host countries. While we mourn their passing and the loss of other members of the community, we are grateful that their voices and insights will continue to inspire us and shape the opinions of future generations of Austrian and US citizens.

When you meet with one of our current program participants, engage in a conversation, and I am sure you will learn a lot when you listen to understand, when you too communicate by “speaking Fulbright Austria.” Or as Epictetus put it, “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.”