In 2007 I went to UC Berkeley for a research project sponsored by a Fulbright Grant. First of all, my stay was exceptionally enjoyable both from a professional and private viewpoint while I was in the United States. However, the Fulbright Scholar status has remained an important reference for my academic career since then and has always helped me in subsequent achievements (awards, grants, positions). This also entails that I am still in contact with my former host.

Since 2007, we have jointly published scientific studies, have met on international conferences, and are constantly discussing new ideas. I am convinced that cutting the Fulbright Program will do damage to the U.S. regarding the exchange of knowledge and the benefits from inter-cultural interaction.

Thomas Moelg is a Professor of geography at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg. He was at the University of California at Berkeley as an Austrian Fulbright Scholar in 2007–08.