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Current U.S. Student

United States citizens who are currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs are eligible to apply.If you are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a U.S. college or university, you will apply through that institution, even if you are not currently a resident there. Find the Fulbright Program Adviser on your campus.

U.S. Citizen but not a Student

If you are a U.S. citizen, will hold a bachelor’s degree by the award start date, and do not have a Ph.D. degree, then you are eligible to apply. Non-enrolled applicants should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Candidates with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

The Getting Started page will provide information on eligibility and next steps.

Artist

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program welcomes applications in the creative and performing arts. Arts candidates for the U.S. Student Program should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Artists with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

Creative & Performing Arts projects fall under the Study/Research grant category and are available in all countries where Study/Research grants are offered.

FPA

U.S. Professor/Administrator

If you are a U.S. citizen and a professor or administrator at a U.S. institution and are interested in applying for a Fulbright Scholar Award, you will need to apply through fulbrightscholars.org.

To support your students in applying for a U.S. Student Program award, please connect with the Fulbright Program Adviser at your institution.

Non U.S. Citizens

If you are a non-U.S. citizen interested in applying for a Fulbright Award to the United States, you will need to apply through the Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in your home country. Find out more information on the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program or Fulbright Foreign Student Program.

Romania

12 English Teaching Assistant Award

Accepted Degree Levels
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Grant Period
October Start
Grant Length
9 Months
Award Type
English Teaching Assistant
Award Profile

 

The English Teaching Assistant Program invites well-qualified candidates at all degree levels, with an interest in international education and teaching experience, to spend one full academic year teaching and/or assisting with practical and specialized English language courses and American culture classes in Romanian higher education institutions. At the same time, English Teaching Assistants will be integrated in the host community and gain from intensive cross-cultural interaction. Each host institution will tailor the assistantship to its language teaching needs and the grantee’s background, academic interests, and abilities, and will place the ETA under the supervision of a professor-tutor. ETAs will also serve as valuable resources for first-hand information about American culture, traditions, and society, and are informal ambassadors of the U.S. 

Being a Fulbright ETA in Romania for 9 months will give individuals a chance to develop English teaching and other professional skills while learning about Romanian culture, people and language. 

Grant Length
9 Months
Grant Period
October Start

The grant length is 9 months, October through June, coinciding with the academic year in Romania.

The academic year in Romanian universities is divided into two semesters. The first semester runs from October to February, and the second semester runs from February to June. Examination sessions are typically scheduled in January/February and June. During the year, there are several breaks: winter break (end of December/beginning of January), inter-semester break (mid-February), Easter break (around Easter holidays), summer break (July and August), and all Romanian public holidays. Please note that universities establish their own calendar, in accordance with the principle of university autonomy, so there may be differences from one academic center to another.

 

Orientation
In-Country Orientation

Grantees will be required to attend a multi-day in-country orientation at the end of September/beginning of October. This event typically covers topics such as the Romanian academic life and culture, the higher education system, practical information about living and teaching or doing research in Romania, and the specifics of your grant, but it also provides an excellent networking opportunity for the grantees.

Candidate Profile

Applications from candidates of all degree levels and academic backgrounds are welcome; however, preference will be given to graduate students with a demonstrated interest in international education.

Prior teaching experience is strongly recommended, and candidates with teacher certifications are particularly welcome. Applicants should provide detailed descriptions of their teaching experience and interest. Typically, ETAs in Romania instruct students in bachelor's and master's programs.

The Commission seeks grantees who are mature, flexible, responsible, and capable of working independently in diverse institutional settings across Romania. Moreover, applicants should be ready to navigate cultural differences and adapt to diverse academic, cultural, and social environments.

 

What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?

The dynamics of Romanian economy and society has been extraordinary in the last years – and trying to provide definitions and clues may prove very challenging. Reality is changing at a fast pace and these changes are sometimes difficult to keep track of. The changes are generally positive and tend to bring Romania closer and closer to Western standards.

Flexibility is certainly needed for grantees to adjust their lifestyles to the new environment. After the initial transition, you will probably surprise yourself by managing quite well. Do not let preoccupation with the minutiae of daily life hinder your work or prevent you from enjoying the charm and beauty of the country and its people. If you expect things to take a bit longer and not always be as you were used to, your adaptation will be easily carried out.

You may have to temper your professional expectations to conform to the bureaucratic realities here, resulting from the constant changes in legislation, administration, and even thinking, the country is undergoing at present.

Despite the necessary adjustments, living in Romania can be very rewarding and fulfilling. Romania is rich in things to see and do. You should try to make an effort, especially if you live in a city, to get out in the country to smaller towns and villages, where the pace of life is slower, and the people are usually more relaxed.

Eligibility
Residency in host country NOT permitted in year prior to grant
Indicate how many months is considered residency:
6 Months
Dual citizens of this country are eligible
Degree Level of Applicant
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Foreign Language Proficiency
Not Required

Additional Information: Romanian proficiency is not required. Some study of Romanian prior to arrival is encouraged in order to promote deeper engagement with the host community. Applicants must be native English speakers. English is widely spoken at least in the academic environment throughout Romania. The Commission also provides a one-time allowance of $800 for community integration, including Romanian language training, during the grant period.

Placement Type
  • University/Post-Secondary Institution

The Fulbright Commission will place grantees at universities, usually, but not exclusively in American Studies or English Language and Literature Departments.

Details of assignments will be subject to direct communication between the selected candidate and the designated department of the Romanian university. Recent grantees were placed in Arad, Bacau, Baia Mare, Brasov, Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Constanta, Craiova, Galati, Iasi, Oradea, Sibiu, Suceava and Timisoara. Positions combine teaching and/or assisting of up to 14 hours per week and office hours of up to 4 hours per week. Additional time will be reserved for an independent study/research project.

Besides classroom responsibilities, grantees may also be requested to give presentations on topics related to the United States, lead programs in language labs, conduct English conversation clubs, tutor, participate in sports, language or drama clubs and volunteer at local organizations. 

Additional grant activities: In addition to their primary teaching activities, grantees are expected to support the Fulbright Commission and the mission of the Fulbright Program by delivering presentations, seminars, and workshops on U.S. higher education and culture.

Placement Locations
  • Capital City
  • Regional City

Grantees are placed in cities which have universities, capital city included.

Supplementary Project
Optional

Grantees are encouraged to engage in other activities related to their personal, career, and/or educational interests. This may be an independent study/research project or community service that will not conflict with their assigned assistant-teaching. Applicants should include a brief description of their supplementary projects in their Statements of Grant Purpose.

Award Benefits
  • A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
  • International travel benefits
  • Accident & sickness health benefits
  • 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
  • 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
  • English language teaching preparatory course
Stipend Amount

This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.

2,150 monthly stipend amount in
$ [US Dollar]
Estimated Cost of Living

Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.

Useful information about the cost of living are provided by Cost of Living in Romania. Prices in Romania. Updated Feb 2024 (numbeo.com) 

 

Dependents
Dependent financial support is available

Within the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, a dependent is (1) a spouse, or (2) a relative (child, parent, or sibling) who is financially dependent on the grantee. The dependent must accompany the grantee abroad for at least 80% of the grant period in order to receive the dependent benefit. The balance of maintenance expenses for dependents is the responsibility of the grantee. No allowance is provided for any adult dependent who holds a grant from any source. Transportation and insurance are not provided for dependents.

Housing Arrangements

Grantees are responsible for making their own housing arrangements. Securing housing, especially in larger cities, can take time, and it may be helpful to connect with former U.S. grantees to Romania for advice. The host institutions are not obliged to find housing for grantees, but may provide some assistance if needed. The cost of accommodation is covered by grantees from their stipend and relocation allowance.

Fulbright Program Management Contact
FBstudent.EUR@iie.org
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
https://fulbright.ro
Grant Benefits

The standard grant benefits include the following (please note these may be subject to change):

  • Stipend – $2,150 per month (disbursed on a monthly basis in RON, based on the average USD/RON exchange rate as specified in the Terms and Conditions of the Award)
  • Travel and relocation allowance – $3,500
  • Research and book allowance – $500
  • Community integration allowance – $800 for Romanian language learning & specialized counseling 
  • Dependent Supplements:

o   Dependent allowance: $325 per month for one dependent / $425 per month for two or more dependents who accompany the grantee for at least 80 percent of the grant period (disbursed in RON based on the average USD/RON exchange rate as specified in the Terms and Conditions of the Award)

Special Award Benefits

  • In-country work-related travel: The Fulbright Commission reimburses travel costs for active participation (e.g. as lecturer, speaker, consultant) in academic activities, such as conferences, seminars, and workshops organized by other universities in the Romania (depending on availability of funds).

 

Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Mihai Moroiu : mihai.moroiu@fulbright.ro
Additional Online Resources
Overview of Romania: https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/country-profiles/romania_en
Ministry of National Education: https://www.edu.ro/
Higher education in Romania: https://studyinromania.gov.ro/hes
List of current U.S. Fulbright grantees in Romania : https://fulbright.ro/grants-for-us-citizens/current-grantees/
Testimonials by Fulbright grantees to/from Romania: https://fulbright.ro/alumni
Cost of Living in Romania: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Romania