Student Paris Mercurio from the class of 2023 was granted a Fulbright scholarship bound for Romania.
A native of Scotch Plains, New Jersey, is embarking on a new adventure as they move to Romania for a Fulbright program. This isn't their first time participating in a prestigious fellowship; they were previously a Fulbright fellow in the Czech Republic and a Shansi Fellow at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
The individual, currently a Shansi Fellow, has always been drawn to exploring cultures and parts of the world they haven't yet experienced. Upon graduating from Oberlin College, their biggest goal was to live abroad and learn about diverse cultures.
Assistant Professor of Creative Writing Elizabeth Lindsey Rogers '07 sparked their interest in pursuing a Shansi Fellowship. Their time at Oberlin also included participating in the Writers in the Schools program as a senior and teaching poetry to seventh grade students during their residency at Langston Middle School.
In Romania, they will be assisting the faculty and helping to provide English language education to students at Ovidius University in Constanta. The individual is excited to move to a region they have never visited before and looks forward to exploring Constanta, one of the oldest cities in Europe with a rich cultural heritage.
The Fulbright Program in Romania is conducted by the Fulbright Commission Romania. The next application cycle starts in 2025, with program duration ranging from 8–13 months. The grants cover research, teaching, and graduate study.
The individual is also interested in delving into the literature and music emerging from Romania. A conversation with the creative writing department's chair, Emily Barton, emphasized the importance of living life and taking notes in the writing process. Professor Barton's words served as a reminder that creative work often operates on its own timeline.
The individual leads English speaking and academic writing lectures and tutorials for undergraduate first-year English Literature majors, as well as an elective creative writing class. They are encouraged to connect with Fellowships & Awards for information on Fulbright opportunities following graduation.
As they prepare for this new journey, the individual reflects on the impactful experiences they've had, from observing Professor Rogers' classroom presence and learning from her teaching style, to conversations with Professor Barton that have shaped their approach to creative work. They are ready to embark on this new chapter, eager to immerse themselves in the culture and community of Romania.
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