2023–24 US Fulbright Student Community-Based Combined Grant

Against the backdrop of the War in Ukraine, the rise of far-right parties across Europe, upcoming EU and US elections, and ever-increasing digital and climate threats, I was eager to join fellow Fulbrighters from commissions across Europe for the EU-NATO Seminar in Luxembourg and Belgium. Our seminar began in Luxembourg, where we visited the Court of Justice of the European Union. Through speaking with the president of the court and viewing a court case, we were challenged to consider the complexities of law in the EU given the potent cultural and linguistic differences. From there we traveled to Brussels, where we visited the European Commission and European Parliament, learning about the ins and outs of these decisive institutions. Our final day started with a unique and captivating morning at NATO headquarters, including a surprise visit from the US ambassador to NATO. Alongside discussions of the effort to aid Ukraine, we had a crash course in NATO’s past and current concerns, from the containment of China, to the push to increase defense spending in all member states, to the need to emphasize unity despite alarming political trends. Our seminar then ended with an engaging discussion about the life of a Foreign Service officer at the US Mission to the European Union. 

In between each of these scheduled events, the intriguing discussions never ceased. I was surrounded by brilliant and passionate Fulbrighters with a wide array of academic and personal interests. Throughout the week, I learned about various research projects on topics ranging from offshore wind to labor protection for gig workers and spoke with the Fulbright English Teaching Assistants (ETAs) about their unique experiences in their host countries’ school systems. We bonded over our stories of weird cultural experiences and our newfound hobbies undertaken in an attempt to become fully immersed in our host cultures. Connecting with the cohort was an immensely rewarding experience, and we left with promises to continue our dialogue and expand our conversations to include our host commissions, fostering a broader exchange of ideas and experiences.