As the vibrant spirit of spring envelops us once again, I am filled with a sense of renewal and hope. This inspiring feeling was particularly palpable during the spring orientation in Vienna. The orientations we offer to our US program participants at the start of their programs in Austria are a testament to the enduring bond between our two nations, the US and Austria. With speakers from both sides of the Atlantic, the orientations underscore the shared commitment to fostering cultural exchange and understanding. This year, during the winter meet & greet, where our 12 incoming US Fulbright scholars mingled with the US and Austrian members of our Fulbright Austria community and expanded their network, the magic of new beginnings was in the air.

In March, several of our US Fulbright scholars had the privilege of sharing their knowledge and passion with a wider audience. From Ido Oren's insightful lecture on US foreign wars to Chaz Underriner's tecaptivating concert, each event offered a unique perspective on the issues shaping our world today. As we look ahead to April, I encourage you to check our events calendar regularly for updates on upcoming lectures and activities.

For over six months now, our current cohort of US Fulbright students has been deeply immersed in their academic research endeavors and community initiatives here in Austria. While their projects continue to unfold, I am impressed to see how their engagement as cultural ambassadors in Austria goes far beyond their academic interests. We all look forward to their poster presentations at the Fulbright Seminar in American Studies at the end of April. Personally, the glimpse I have already got into their projects, ranging from history to STEM, increases my enthusiasm for the seminar. It is always exciting to see them present the results of their hard work in this vibrant environment, where they can discuss with current US and outgoing Austrian program participants.

What’s more, this year marks the first time that we will open the poster presentation to our community to support networking opportunities, and the US Fulbright scholars' lectures will be livestreamed. Save the date!

Our US teaching assistants in Austria have spent more than half a year in Austrian classrooms, not only teaching English in the classroom but also bringing their personal view on the American way of life from their home state in the US to their new home in Austria. While their work in the classroom is on hold for spring break, preparation for the lessons and their activity as cultural ambassador never stops. Still, I hope that they will find some time to relax in this wonderful spring. They definitely deserve this! And just like class prep never stops, the same is true of our program cycles—and we are excited to learn about our 2024–25 cohort of USTAs who are just beginning their journey, with placement notifications going out and first preparations for their adventures in Austria starting to take shape. In their applications, they showed their dedication to serving as cultural ambassadors in Austrian classrooms, emphasizing their commitment to the spirit of Fulbright Austria’s mission. I have no doubt that they will make a lasting impact in Austrian schools and communities.

In addition to their project-related activities in Austria, our current program participants have also had the opportunity to broaden their horizons through seminars and workshops. Current US Fulbright Student community-based combined grantees Sarah Kovacic and Molly Sauter and current US teaching assistant Duncan Donahue were kind enough to share articles about their experiences at the 2024 Zero Project Conference and the 2024 EU-NATO Conference. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Zero Project and Fulbright Belgium / Luxembourg / Schuman for their invaluable support in organizing these events.

While our US program participants are with us in Austria, it is important for us to stay connected with our Austrian cohort of students, scholars, and foreign language teaching assistants in the US. The fact that they share their experiences on social media or with personal messages overcomes the geographical distance. I hope that after more than half a year in the US, they feel as connected to Fulbright Austria as I feel to them. Looking back at the start of their journey to the US more than a year ago, they had their hopes and plans. This was an exciting time for them. Now, a year later, the next cohort of Austrians is in a similar phase of their life. They are making their plans and are learning about the opportunities that await them in the US. While this time can be stressful and feel overwhelming, it also has the magic of new beginnings. I am grateful to our team members here at Fulbright Austria who help our program participants navigate this phase in the program.

Special recognition is also due to Fulbright Bulgaria for spearheading the European Fulbright staff meeting, which exemplifies the collaborative spirit of the Fulbright network. Two Fulbright Austria staff members represented our commission in this vibrant community of bright minds from the European region. This initiative aimed to bring together staff members from Fulbright commissions from the European region to connect and share best practices and establish an inter-commission network. Looking back on the fruits of this meeting, I fully support the continuation of this initiative in the future.

As we all look ahead to the coming months, I invite you to join us at our fifth annual SummerFest on 23 May 2024 at Billrothhaus in Vienna. This event is a celebration of our community's generosity and the profound impact of our programs on individuals and communities in Austria and the US. Your support for the Fulbright Austria Opportunity Fund and Artsraising initiative enables us to continue funding opportunities and fostering meaningful connections between our two countries.

In closing, I am filled with gratitude for the unwavering support of our partners, alums, and friends of Fulbright Austria. Together, we are shaping a brighter future filled with understanding, collaboration, and mutual respect. In the words of Epictetus, “Let it first blossom, then bear fruit, then ripen.”