"I look forward to taking the spirit of this city with me in my teaching career...May Athens and all its complexities continue to elude and inspire me long after I have left,” U.S. Fulbright Fellow to Greece Melissa Ballow

As spring unfolds and the academic year draws to a close, a feeling of renewal and anticipation sets in. In this optimistic spirit, preparations are already underway for the commencement of the new academic year.

Looking forward and as of May 15, Fulbright will start offering online informational sessions aimed at individuals contemplating on applying for next year’s scholarship programs.  Through these sessions, Fulbright staff will offer assistance, covering various aspects of the application process and addressing any queries or concerns that potential candidates may have. The goal is to ensure that applicants are well-informed and equipped with the necessary resources to navigate the application process successfully before the scholarship cycle opens. Scholarship programs further strengthen international bonds, facilitating collaboration across borders. For Greek citizens pursuing  opportunities in the U.S., the 2024-2025 scholarship application cycle has concluded, while the 2025-2026 cycle for U.S. citizens is now open. Explore available opportunities and seize the chance for academic growth and exchange: https://www.fulbright.gr/en/scholarships-for-us-citizens.

The trend of American students and scholars selecting Greece as their educational destination is on the rise. Greece ranked 8th globally for study-abroad destinations during the 2021-2022 academic year, with 4,484 U.S. students opting to study here. Similarly, there is a notable increase in the number of Greek students pursuing educational opportunities in the United States (Source: IIE Open Doors Data Leading Destinations). This renewed interest in Greece's history and culture is warmly welcomed and Fulbright Greece is dedicated to providing diverse activities to immerse U.S. Fulbright grantees into the rich heritage of their host country. Factors such as the emergence of English-language programs at Greek universities, a lower cost of living compared to the U.S., and the high caliber of Greek academics and researchers contribute to this trend. Recently, Minister of Education Kyriakos Pierrakakis and U.S Ambassador to Greece George J. Tsunis remarked on the mounting enthusiasm for Greek-U.S. educational exchanges and the pivotal role that Fulbright plays in strengthening bilateral relations.

_{Photo: Reception at the American School of Classical Studies at Athens – Cotsen Hall and Gennadius Library Gardens}

Fulbright Greece takes pride in facilitating this growing interest and is committed to furthering these efforts with support from partners, including Fulbright alumni. Scholarship programs evolve to meet the changing needs of the academic community with a focus on fields offering tangible benefits to Greece. Short-term scholarship programs, particularly, are gaining traction due to growing interest in opportunities for professional development, research collaboration, and knowledge exchange. Collaboration with IKY, the Greek State Scholarship Foundation, has increased short-term scholarships for eligible Ph.D. students on both sides of the Atlantic, enhancing academic exchange prospects.  

The new lecture series "Fulbright Alumni Leaders for Society," launched by the alumni association, provides a platform for distinguished alumni to share insights and expertise on addressing global challenges. Fulbright alumni play a pivotal role in advancing the Foundation's mission, and on March 5, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexandra Papadopoulou inaugurated the initiative with a discussion on her career trajectory and public diplomacy.

This year's lecture, "Creative Pedagogies for a Future World," features three Fulbright alumni in an online exchange. On April 25, Carol Becker will engage in conversation with Konstantinos Ioannidis and Theodora Tsimpouki about the role creativity and critical thinking can play in higher education: How might these contribute to a culture of social responsibility and community engagement within higher education institutions to affect society at large? Professor Becker will also reflect on what artists can teach us, her role leading two major art schools, her romance with Greece, and her future plans for writing, teaching, and research. 

We invite you to take a moment to read Fulbright Greece Newsletter. We value your input and encourage you to share your thoughts with us -

Warm regards,

Artemis A. Zenetou
Executive Director

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