As the summer sun begins to shine upon us, it brings a time of anticipation and new beginnings for our program participants. This transitional period marks the end of our US participants' time in Austria and the exciting beginnings for our Austrian participants heading to the US. At the annual going-away Heurigen, we bid farewell to our program participants with warm wishes for their future adventures on the other side of the Atlantic. Reflecting on their time here in Austria and their new activities in the US, it is clear that their experiences will continue to be full of cultural and intellectual engagement. Since their first contact with Fulbright Austria, they have served as cultural ambassadors and will continue this meaningful activity in the United States.
Looking back at our recent activities, the 2024 Fulbright Seminar in American Studies was a testament to the strength of intellectual exchange and cross-cultural understanding. This three-day program in St. Wolfgang brought together US and Austrian students, scholars, and teaching assistants. It was an inspiring display of talent and creativity, fostering a vibrant intellectual community. Participants delved into various sides of US and Austrian culture and science through engaging lectures, discussions, and activities, challenging assumptions and building lasting connections. The seminar's impact was profound, enriching the perspectives of all attendees.
Just recently, our annual SummerFest provided program participants and alums with an invaluable opportunity to reunite, share experiences, and form new friendships. It was a powerful reminder that the Fulbright Austria community is more than just a network—it is a shared experience. The vibrant atmosphere of SummerFest allowed all of us to reconnect and draw strength from the bonds we have formed throughout our Fulbright experiences.
As part of Fulbright Austria's diversity and inclusion initiatives, we celebrated the start of Pride Month with our community. Fulbright Austria started with a drag bingo & community quiz at Villa Vida and then hosted a Pride presentation at Amerika Haus in Vienna, where 2023–24 Fulbright-ifk Junior Fellow Aviv Hilbig-Bokaer and Charlotte Ehlers, a candidate for the Master of Advanced International Relations at the Diplomatic Academy, presented their LGBTQIA+-focused research. The presentations were followed by a panel discussion moderated by 2020–22 US teaching assistant Julia Eleanor Petron.
I was excited to attend the 2024 FOLD Symposium at Johannes Kepler University Linz, organized by Fulbright Austria alum Bailey Fernandez. This year’s symposium focused on accessibility in academic settings. If you would like to organize the next FOLD symposium, the call for applications for the 2025 FOLD Symposium is currently open.
Other exciting activities of our community members included an exclusive guided tour and lecture by current US Fulbright scholar Paul Allen Miller at the Sigmund Freud Museum and a tour of two special exhibitions held by Fulbright Austria alum Caitlin Gura at the Jewish Museum Vienna.
Collectively, these initiatives underscore the strong commitment of our program participants and alums to their mission as cultural ambassadors.
Looking ahead, we have an exciting lineup of activities and events that promise to continue this spirit of enrichment and exchange, including the 2024 homecoming as well as an event we’re organizing for the first time ever: the fall meet & greet. We also have exciting news for our community outside of Vienna. In the upcoming 2024–25 program year, we will be traveling around Austria on our Bundesländertour, with an event happening in a different province each month from October 2024 to April 2025. To stay up to date with our events, take a look at our event page.
In the spirit of summer, we encourage everyone to embrace the season's joys while nurturing their intellectual and cultural curiosities. As Seneca put it, "True happiness is… to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future." Attend exhibitions, explore new literature, engage in dialogues with diverse individuals, and seize opportunities to broaden your horizons. Let the long days and warm nights be a catalyst for personal and academic growth.
Lastly, I sincerely thank the staff, volunteers, and partners who tirelessly work to make our program participants' Fulbright Austria journey a life-changing experience. Your dedication and enthusiasm enrich our community and bring us closer together. I wish you all a wonderful summer.
