Starting in 1969, I spent one and a half years at the University of Florida in Gainesville at the Quantum Theory Project. Afterwards I could work for half a year at IBM San Jose in California. This was my important experience as a Fulbrighter. This stay has changed my life and created an openness for different cultures between the US and Europe (or Austria in my case). In the eighties I spent many summers at IBM Yorktown Heights as summer faculty. Later I organized 5 workshops at Penn State.

Since 15 years I am president of the Austrian Fulbright Alumni, an organisation that arranges many meeting between Fulbrighters. We see ourselves as advocates of the United States in Austria and as ambassadors of mutual understanding.

The Fulbright program has brought all of us much more than just visiting another country. As internationally recognized scientist I very much hope that the young generation can gain similar experiences as I did with the Fulbright program.

Karl-Heinz Schwarz was an Austrian Fulbright Student at the University of Florida, Gainesville in 1969–70 and is president of the Austrian Fulbright Alumni Organization. Photo courtesy of Karl-Heinz Schwarz.