The United States Educational Foundation in Greece, also called the Fulbright Foundation in Greece, was established in 1948 as a non-profit, non-political educational organization through a binational treaty between the United States and Greece. It operates the first Fulbright Program in Europe and the second-oldest continuously operating program in the world. The binational approach is the hallmark that distinguishes the Fulbright academic exchange program from most others, either public or private. The Foundation fosters educational and cultural exchanges between the United States and Greece through the Fulbright Scholarship Program and the Fulbright Greece Advising Center.
Since 1948, the Foundation has offered free educational advising services to thousands of individuals and has awarded grants to more than 6,000 Greek and U.S. citizens. The Foundation also provides information about study opportunities in Greece. Grant opportunities are offered in all fields and disciplines to students, scholars, teachers, professionals, scientists, and artists.
Recruitment for all educational exchange programs is based on open and fair national competition as well as individual merit and academic excellence. Transparency in the selection process is assured through clearly defined eligibility criteria and requirements. Fulbright Greece is fully committed to recognizing the inherent dignity and worth of every person, and to the provision of equal rights and opportunities. The Foundation engages its alumni in a variety of programs and develops opportunities to further the impact and multiplier effect of Fulbright grants.
Many prominent scholars, scientists, professionals and politicians were supported by Fullbright Greece. One of them the U.S. Congressman John P. Sarbanes (Fulbright Student Program – Independent Research in Greece in Law and Political Science, 1984-1985) who stated about Fullbright: “In many ways, my experience as a Fulbright Scholar in Greece motivated me to seek public office. So many of today’s international and domestic conflicts stem from cultural misunderstandings. In this globalized world, it is critical that we collaborate on discovering and promoting innovative solutions to problems that span geo-political borders.”
Fulbright alumni currently in Greece serve as cultural ambassadors, strengthening academic collaborations, and fostering the dialogue between the two countries. For Anagha Ramakrishnan, who serves as an English Teaching Assistant, Greece has offered a unique opportunity to connect the past to the future and grow as a communicator. Konstantine Rountos’ work is focused on assessing the effects of fish farms on seagrass ecosystems. The Fullbright experience influenced his passion for providing experiential learning opportunities for his undergraduate students and for this reason he organized and led four study-abroad programs to Greece and Costa Rica. Last, Rory Stuart, a New York-based jazz guitarist and composer, has completed 3 months in Corfu, in which he has worked with students at Ionian University through directing ensembles, teaching weekly guitar master classes and advanced rhythm clinics.
