Spring has arrived, and with it comes a time of renewal, growth, and hope. This spirit of new beginnings and fresh energy was vibrant when I joined the 2023 Summit of Austrian American Organizations in New Orleans. This meeting—organized by the Botstiber Institute for Austrian-American Studies (BIAAS) brought together stakeholders from a variety of organizations dedicated to recharging Austrian-American relations, including many long-lasting partners of Fulbright Austria. In the wake of this meeting, I had the honor of meeting Nour Elabd, a, Austrian Fulbright student at Tulane University who shared her impressive Fulbright experience. I am looking forward to seeing all the new collaborations and plans that were initiated in New Orleans unfold.
We are thrilled to welcome the spring cohort of 16 US Fulbright scholars, who have embarked on their own journeys of discovery and learning over the coming months in Austria. During the orientation and the winter meet & greet in Vienna, they had the opportunity to build connections and network with other US program participants. It was heart-warming to experience the hospitality of the Fulbright Austria community, who welcomed the new US members.