{"id":4836,"date":"2021-06-08T11:43:52","date_gmt":"2021-06-08T11:43:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fulbright.nl\/?page_id=4836"},"modified":"2026-04-09T11:38:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T11:38:08","slug":"news","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/fulbright.nl\/en\/news\/","title":{"rendered":"News"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” el_class=”.zijbar-vervolg”][vc_column offset=”vc_hidden-lg vc_hidden-md vc_hidden-sm”][vc_widget_sidebar show_bg=”false” sidebar_id=”sidebar_4″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]

<\/div>

News from the Fulbright Commission<\/h1><\/div><\/div>[vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n
\n
\n

Annual Lecture Fulbright Commission X John Adams Institute\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/header>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Rachel Khong: An Atlas of Us<\/h4>\n

Join us on 21 May for our annual event with the John Adams Institute. Rachel Khong is the bestselling author of Goodbye, Vitamin and Real Americans. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The New Yorker, Granta, and other publications. Through a blend of historical awareness, literary insight, and emotional acuity, she illuminates identity, community, and the ongoing negotiation of what it means to belong in contemporary America. In Real Americans, Rachel Khong follows a Chinese-American family across eight decades, tracing how inheritance works in the widest sense: the stories we\u2019re told, the choices we make, and the circumstances we don\u2019t choose at all. Moving from Maoist China to contemporary America, the novel asks how identity is formed over time\u2014and how the past, quietly but insistently, shapes the lives we think we\u2019re freely building. At the center of the book is a young woman whose relationship with a wealthy heir sets off consequences that echo across generations and continents. Part love story, part social novel, and touched by a speculative edge, Real Americans explores class, migration, and the lure of reinvention while probing the unsettling question of what, exactly, gets passed down: family traits, family myths, and even the futures we imagine we deserve. With sharp insight and subtle humor, Khong captures America not as a fixed ideal, but as a lived reality, shaped by power and chance, ambition and longing, and by the intimate pressures of family life. Real Americans is a novel about what we inherit, what we resist, and what we carry forward.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

\n
\n

Update from the Fulbright Board<\/strong><\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/header>\n

People-to-people connections are more vital than ever. The Board of the Fulbright Commission the Netherlands is dedicated to carrying forward its mission of promoting mutual understanding and unfettered academic pursuit between the people of the United States and the Netherlands through exchange in higher education.<\/p>\n

While the Board undergoes a period of transition, applications for the academic year 2026-2027 are open. Dutch Promovendi and Scholars have until 1 December 2025 to submit their applications, and the deadline for Dutch Graduate Students is 22 January 2026.\u00a0The deadline for the Campus Scholarship Program is 15 January 2026.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Message from the Board<\/b><\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]13 November 2025[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]The Fulbright Commission the Netherlands expresses its appreciation for the six esteemed Board members who resigned on 13 November 2025, and thanks them for their dedicated service and support of Fulbright. As it goes through this transition, the Fulbright Commission Board remains fully operational and dedicated to the founding principles and purpose of the Fulbright Program to promote mutual understanding between people through exchanges in higher education. The Board is unwavering in its commitment to upholding academic freedom and to protecting the Fulbright Program and community for the future. All Fulbright exchanges and programs between the Netherlands and the United States are proceeding as planned and announced.<\/p>\n

For more than 76 years, Fulbright has strengthened people-to-people relations and cultural exchange between the Netherlands and the United States, offering life-changing opportunities for students and scholars from both countries. The bridge that Fulbright was designed to create between the United States and 160 other countries remains as essential today as it was when the Fulbright Program was established in the aftermath of World War II. Indeed, in a rapidly changing and challenging world, the mission of the Fulbright Program to connect civil societies and promote mutual understanding has become more important and urgent than ever.<\/p>\n

The remaining and incoming Board members believe they can best advance and safeguard the principles of the Fulbright Program by staying at the table; leading the program forward through fresh approaches; and continuing to support the talented, driven young people hoping to make a difference in the world and to contribute to valuable research and education cooperation. Fortunately, national commissions like ours have options to support and fund any grantees, and experience to date has been very positive.<\/p>\n

By continuing to support Fulbright, the Board ensures that students and scholars can choose for themselves if \u2013 and under which circumstances \u2013 they wish to apply for a Fulbright Scholarship to go to the United States or the Netherlands. The Fulbright Commission and Board in the Netherlands are firmly committed to the Fulbright Program; the unfettered academic pursuit at the heart of its mission; and the continuing success of the program, its participants, and alumni.<\/p>\n

Hollis Kurman
\nChristina Calj\u00e9
\nNathalie Jaarsma
\nDouglas D. Jones
\nDaniel Kanigan
\nDanna Van Brandt
\nAbdel Zirar[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Fulbright Netherlands 75th Anniversary<\/strong><\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]Sunday, October 20, 2024, we celebrated the 75th Anniversary of the Fulbright Program in the Netherlands. It was a joyous celebration full of reunions, fond memories of our past, and hopeful glimpses into our future. Keynote speeches were given by the Honorary Chairs of our Board, Minister Eppo Bruins and U.S. Ambassador Shefali Razdan Duggal, who embody our Commission’s binational foundation, as well as by Professor James Kennedy, who reflected on the history of this very foundation. For an impression of the speeches, the panel discussion of some of our Commission’s alumni, and the reception, you can watch the after movie by clicking here<\/a>. You can also view photos of the event by clicking\u00a0this link<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”9255″ img_size=”large” css=””][vc_single_image image=”9246″ img_size=”large” css=””][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”9276″ img_size=”large” css=””][vc_single_image image=”9261″ img_size=”large” css=””][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_separator][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

College Night 2024
\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]On Monday, September 23, school students, parents and teachers from all over the Netherlands were able to meet with representatives from 14 American universities. They came from all over the US to the Netherlands to talk to interested students. The evening was opened by Charlie Hornstra of EducationUSA, who addressed the students and gave them some advice for their orientation on studying in the US.<\/p>\n

College Night is an annual event and is organized by EducationUSA\/Fulbright. The event was attended by 300 school students and parents. Besides 14 American universities, they were also able to meet representatives from the Ivy Circle, US Embassy and Consulate General, American Fulbright students in the Netherlands, and alumni of the Campus Scholarship Program.<\/p>\n

We look back on this edition of College Night with great pleasure![\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”9269″ img_size=”large” css=””][vc_single_image image=”9271″ img_size=”large” css=””][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”9273″ img_size=”large” css=””][vc_single_image image=”9267″ img_size=”large” css=””][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Fulbright Award Ceremony 2024
\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”8703″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” css=””][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=””]This year, the Fulbright Commission the Netherlands celebrated 21 Dutch graduate students, doctoral candidates, and scholars who have been awarded Fulbright scholarships. The recipients and their families gathered for a celebratory award ceremony at the historic Aula of Utrecht University. The event was attended by officials from the Dutch and American governments, members of the Fulbright Board, Fulbright staff, and alumni of the Fulbright program.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]Speakers for this year\u2019s awards ceremony included:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dr. Anton Pijpers, President of Utrecht University and Chair of the Board of the Fulbright Commission the Netherlands<\/span><\/p>\n

Ms. Shefali Razdan Duggal, U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands<\/span><\/p>\n

Mr. Gerbert Kunst, Director of International Policy at the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Tara Peris, U.S. Fulbright scholar alumna<\/span><\/p>\n

Ms. Rehana Al-Soltane, Dutch Fulbright student alumna<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Michiel Kolman, Dutch Fulbright student alumnus speaking on behalf of Fulbright sponsor Elsevier<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Christward Gradenwitz, Executive Director of the Fulbright Commission the Netherlands<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]To start the ceremony, Dr. Anton Pijpers gave a warm introduction to all the ceremony\u2019s attendees. His speech motivated the outgoing grantees and told them about the remarkable experience they are about to have in the United States, an experience that he said \u201cwill undoubtedly change the course of [their] lives.\u201d Dr. Pijpers\u2019 advice to them was to \u201cbe open-minded, do not shy away from interesting or challenging conversations about either country. Learn and educate. Find common ground and celebrate it, acknowledge difference and try to respect it.\u201d<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]Next, Ms. Shefali Razdan Duggal, the U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands, gave a touching speech about the relationship between the U.S. and the Netherlands, and the role that Fulbright plays in maintaining and fortifying that relationship. She said: \u201cThis experience is more than an educational opportunity\u2026The Fulbright program\u00a0has helped strengthen the friendship between the people from the United States and the Netherlands for 75 years.\u201d<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

\n
\n

Mr. Gerbert Kunst from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science then shared some words. He reminded the grantees that they are now part of a group of the best and the brightest, and reiterated that \u201cFulbright is all about\u2026sharing ideas, sharing time and ultimately broadening our horizons and tackling difficult questions together,\u201d ending with the words of Senator Fulbright himself: \u201cThe aim is to bring a little more knowledge and a little more compassion in the world.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

\n
\n

Fulbright alum Rehana Al-Soltane reflected on her Fulbright experience to share some sage advice and encouragement with our 2024-2025 Dutch grantees: “My curiosity, passion for education, creativity and pack of hagelslag became my anchoring points. They helped me in this wild journey where I was on a mission to develop world class education in Computer Science and AI to students all over the world, especially those in underserved communities. You see, the journey you are about to embark on is unlike any you\u2019ve taken before. The beauty in the type of education in the universities that you just got accepted in, is in their ability to make you deconstruct who you are as a person, what you stand for, and what you believe in. It\u2019s a peculiar transformation, really, where at the end, you have to build yourself up again, piece by piece, with your own two hands. This is not to scare you, but to inspire you to find those anchoring points in yourself.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

\n
\n

Next, Dr. Tara Peris shared her thoughts on her own Fulbright experience in the Netherlands: “What a gift it\u2019s all been, the opportunity to share thoughts and ideas across labs and cultures. To talk about what motivates our work, both professionally and personally. I\u2019m leaving here with a much better understanding of the breadth and depth of the research taking place in the Netherlands, exposure to new research methods, and to a different rhythm of academic life. The professional connections are a boon, but the personal ones are even better. They are what really leads to the kind of cross cultural understanding that Fulbright seeks to cultivate.” She encouraged the outgoing grantees “to approach [their Fulbright experience] with curiosity, persistence, humor, and a willingness to put yourself out there,” reminding them that “[she’ll] be part of that Fulbright community rooting [them] on and trying to live vicariously through [their] adventures.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]Next, Elsevier representative and Fulbright alumnus Michiel Kolman had some words to share with the grantees. He started by giving a special mention to this year\u2019s two Elsevier sponsorees, grantees Zawdie Sandvliet and Nina Tobsch. Then, he connected with all of the 2024-2025 grantees: \u201cI also stand before you as a fellow Fulbrighter. I was in your shoes at a very similar event before I traveled to New York for my graduate studies at Columbia University.\u201d Mr. Kolman ended by acknowledging the reach of Fulbright students both abroad and at home, wishing the grantees \u201clots of success on [their] own mission[s] of internationalization, [and] an amazing time, academically and on the personal front.\u201d<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]Finally, Fulbright Commission the Netherlands\u2019 Executive Director and Fulbright alumnus himself, Dr. Christward Gradenwitz, shared a few comments. He reflected on the selection process of Fulbrighters: \u201cIn selecting grantees for educational exchange, Fulbright is looking for innovators, leaders, and trailblazers, coming from all segments of society, and from all walks of life\u201d \u2013 this description details some of the strengths and merits of the new cohort. To finish, he touched on the longer-lasting, bigger picture impact of Fulbright on grantees\u2019 lives, as Fulbright has impacted his own life: \u201cThink about what it means for you to have a Fulbright experience. It is not just about receiving money to be able to do study or research at an institution of high repute. It is much more than that. And yet, later on, if you have become alumni of these grand institutions that you are about to join, we hope that you will remember the vehicle that brought you there.\u201d<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”8721″ img_size=”large” css=””][vc_single_image image=”8711″ img_size=”large” css=””][vc_single_image image=”8729″ img_size=”large” css=””][vc_single_image image=”8727″ img_size=”large” css=””][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Fulbright Grantees 2024-2025<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This year, our grantees received their awards from U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Ms. Shefali Razdan Duggal, and Director of International Policy at the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, Mr. Gerbert Kunst.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Grantees<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Scholars:<\/b><\/p>\n

Dr. Youssef Azghari, <\/b>Saginaw Valley State University<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Doris van Halem<\/b>, Massachusetts Institute of Technology<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

PhD students:<\/b><\/p>\n

Roby Cremers<\/b>, New York University<\/span><\/p>\n

Tijn Croon<\/b>, Columbia University<\/span><\/p>\n

Bernhard Degen<\/b>, University of California San Diego<\/span><\/p>\n

Emmelie Dekker<\/b>, The University of Texas<\/span><\/p>\n

Jelmar Meester,<\/b> University of Maryland<\/span><\/p>\n

Bart Nauta<\/b>, University of California Los Angeles<\/span><\/p>\n

Elissa Polomski<\/b>, Harvard University<\/span><\/p>\n

Zawdie Sandvliet<\/b>, Brown University (sponsored by Elsevier)<\/span><\/p>\n

Nina Tobsch<\/b>, City University of New York (sponsored by Elsevier)<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Graduate students:<\/b><\/p>\n

Kim Deen, <\/b>New York University (sponsored by the Netherland-America Foundation)<\/span><\/p>\n

Allysia van Duijn, <\/b>New York University (sponsored by the Netherland-America Foundation)<\/span><\/p>\n

Sacha Gyapjas,<\/b> New York University<\/span><\/p>\n

Peter Hansum, <\/b>Duke University<\/span><\/p>\n

Floor Keuning, <\/b>Brown University<\/span><\/p>\n

Jasmine Khelil, <\/b>New York University<\/span><\/p>\n

Duco Laane,<\/b> Harvard University (sponsored by the Netherland-America Foundation)<\/span><\/p>\n

Caya van der Sluis, <\/b>New York University<\/span><\/p>\n

Kimberley Snijders, <\/b>Columbia University (sponsored by the Netherland-America Foundation)<\/span><\/p>\n

Mike Winterwerp,<\/b> Harvard University (recipient of the supplementary Ivy Circle Award)<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Welcome Reception U.S. Fulbright Grantees
\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”6470″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]On Thursday 22 September, Fulbright the Netherlands held the annual Welcome reception for the U.S. Fulbright grantees and returning grantees and alumni from the Dutch Fulbright Program and our other programs at the U.S. Ambassador’s Residence in The Hague. The afternoon program for the U.S. Graduate students was dedicated to informing them about Dutch history, culture and politics, with lectures from amongst others Professor James Kennedy and Political Unit Chief Lee Skluzak. We were also joined by U.S. Department of State Deputy Assistant Secretary for Academic Programs Ethan Rosenzweig. More photos are available on this link<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Thanks to the U.S. Embassy for hosting us![\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”6472″ img_size=”large”][vc_single_image image=”6484″ img_size=”large”][vc_single_image image=”6482″ img_size=”600×400″][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”6474″ img_size=”large”][vc_single_image image=”6480″ img_size=”large”][vc_single_image image=”6486″ img_size=”large”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Fulbright Award Ceremony 2022
\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”6146″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]This year, the Fulbright Commission congratulates 22 Dutch graduate students, doctoral candidates and scientists for receiving the Fulbright scholarship. The grantees and their families were welcomed for a festive award ceremony at the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science in The Hague. The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Dutch and American governments, Fulbright board members, staff and alumni.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]This year’s speakers included:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Prof. Dr. Robbert Dijkgraaf, Minister of Education, Culture and Science<\/p>\n

Ms. Marja Verloop, Charg\u00e9 d\u2019Affaires of the U.S. Mission to the Netherlands<\/p>\n

Prof. Dr. Anton Pijpers, Chair of the Board of the Fulbright Commission<\/p>\n

Ms. Lise Mitsinga, Fulbright alumna at Columbia Law School<\/p>\n

Dr. Christward Gradenwitz, Executive Director of the Fulbright Commission[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Minister Robbert Dijkgraaf was pleased to address the Fulbright recipients. He can recommend studying and researching in the US from personal experience. He encouraged the Fulbright grantees to celebrate their successes, but more importantly, to embrace failure as well. His advice to Fulbrighters: “Embark on this wonderful adventure with conviction and curiosity. Meet each other, make friends, and find people with a different outlook on life than yours. Dare to deviate from the path laid out for you and try to find that winding road.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Prof. Dr. Anton Pijpers, chairman of the board of the Fulbright Commission, and master of ceremonies at the award ceremony, thanked the minister for his speech and his ongoing support for the Fulbright program: \u201cWe are also very happy at Fulbright to have you as our Minister. How special it is to have a former member of the Board of the Fulbright Commission, which you were before leaving for Princeton, returning as the Minister addressing our grantees in that capacity! Truly wonderful.\u201d<\/p>\n

He shared the following message with the audience: \u201cToday, we are celebrating the fact that a select group of young scholars and students have been awarded a Fulbright grant. This opportunity will not only help them fulfill their ambitions, but it also helps realize the mission of the Fulbright Program: promoting mutual understanding between citizens of the United States and citizens of other nations [\u2026] Grantees \u2013 you are about to embark on a great adventure. One that will undoubtedly alter the course of your lives. I can assure you that you will return as a changed person, enriched in many ways.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\n
\n

Charg\u00e9 d\u2019Affaires Marja Verloop addressed the audience on behalf of the American government. \u201cGood afternoon, everyone. I want to join Minister Dijkgraaf and President Pijpers in congratulating to our grantees, and to thank our colleagues from the Ministry of Education for being such gracious hosts,\u201d sprak zij. Aan de bursalen geeft zij het volgende mee: \u201cYour Fulbright grants will open doors in ways you cannot imagine. You will gain new perspectives and learn to dream bigger. Years from now you will message with your best friend in America\u2026someone you haven\u2019t even met yet. And that all starts today. As our chief of mission here I can say this with some authority: You are all Ambassadors now. For your schools, for your fields of study, for the Netherlands.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Chairman Anton Pijpers also thanked the American government for their contributions to the Fulbright program. \u201cWe are fortunate today to hear from both of you, representing the American and Dutch governments respectively. Binational support is a foundational principle of the Fulbright Program in the Netherlands. The predecessor of our Commission was founded in 1949 on the basis of a Treaty between our two governments. Ever since the Fulbright Program has been able to flourish in the Netherlands thanks to the unwavering support of both governments.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Lise Mitsinga received a Fulbright scholarship for pursuing her master degree at Columbia Law School in New York in 2021-2022. She recently returned from the US and was happy to join the new grantees and share three important insights from her personal experience. \u201cFirst, derive meaning in the challenges you will undoubtedly face and know that you have the grace to overcome them. [\u2026] For a lot of us academic excellence is the standard that we have always upheld, and it can be intimidating to enter spaces where suddenly everyone is smart and you won\u2019t always understand something instantly. Regardless, know that you belong in the spaces you are about to enter and that your contributions are valuable. Second, do not forget to invest in the intangible things that will outlast the duration of your program. [\u2026] Lastly, being admitted to a prestigious academic program or research opportunity is a milestone in itself, but the real challenge lies up ahead. Because on the other side of privilege lies responsibility. It is important to make a conscious effort to think of ways to leverage the resources that are made available to us, to leave a positive footprint, and to pay it forward whenever we can.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]In closing, Christward Gradenwitz, Executive Director of the Fulbright Commission, shared his view on our important mission of mutual understanding with the Fulbright grantees: \u201cFulbright is about connecting people between the U.S. and other countries, where states sometimes get into conflicts or even war. With the war in Ukraine this is more topical than ever. When the war started the Fulbright community reached out to Ukrainian and Russian Fulbrighters alike. In essence Fulbright is about building empathy, tolerance, and understanding, by learning to appreciate a diversity of views and of perspectives. As a matter of fact diversity is at the heart of the Fulbright Program.\u201d De Fulbright bursalen dragen ieder bij aan deze missie, benadrukte hij verder. \u201cFulbright is looking for innovators, leaders, and trailblazers. This was the task we set ourselves this year again. I believe I can speak on behalf of all the selection committee members in saying that it was a great privilege and joy to interview the students this year. Their passion for their projects was infectious. We all enjoyed our time with you, and we cannot wait to watch you embark on your journeys.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”6148″ img_size=”large”][vc_single_image image=”6150″ img_size=”large”][vc_single_image image=”6152″ img_size=”large”][vc_single_image image=”6154″ img_size=”large”][vc_single_image image=”6156″ img_size=”large”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”6158″ img_size=”large”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”6160″ img_size=”large”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Fulbright Grantees 2022-2023
\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The grantees received their awards from Charg\u00e9 d’Affaires Marja Verloop, on behalf of the U.S. government, and Director of International Policy at the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, Gerbert Kunst, on behalf of the Dutch government. We wish the 22 Fulbright grantees a successful and inspiring time in the United States.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Grantees\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Scholar:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Groenewoud, Dr. G.M.M., City University of New York City College<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

PhD students:
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bouras, H., City University of New York (gesponsord door Elsevier)<\/p>\n

Frieswijk, K., Yale University<\/p>\n

Helmink, F.G.L., University of Michigan (gesponsord door Elsevier)<\/p>\n

Huijsmans, T.M., Stanford University<\/p>\n

Kempen, A., University of California Santa Cruz<\/p>\n

Nieuwenhuizen, E.N., Rutgers University<\/p>\n

Roggeveen, B., Harvard University<\/p>\n

Schuurmans, K., Harvard University<\/p>\n

Zwan, van der, T., University of California San Diego<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Fulbright Schuman Grant<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jong, J.F., de, New York University<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Graduate Students:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Al-Soltane, R., Harvard University<\/p>\n

Beekenkamp, J.C., Harvard University<\/p>\n

Benschop, C.A.L., New York University<\/p>\n

Fliert, M.G.J., van de, Harvard University<\/p>\n

Golterman, L., University of California Los Angeles<\/p>\n

Hartendorp, A.K., Johns Hopkins University<\/p>\n

Helder, C., van den, University of Illinois Chicago<\/p>\n

Kuipers, H., Mayo Clinic Rochester<\/p>\n

Vleugels, S.C.P., Manhattan School of Music<\/p>\n

Vroom, M.M., University of California Los Angeles<\/p>\n

Vulkers, L., The New School[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=”.heading-vs-vervolg” el_id=”header-vs1″][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Welcome reception for American Fulbright grantees
\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”5078″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”5080″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

The American Embassy welcomed our newly arrived American scholars, graduate students and English Teaching Assistants at the American ambassador\u2019s residence in The Hague.<\/p>\n

The reception was held in honor of the 75th anniversary of the Fulbright Program this year. A great moment to reflect on the impact that the Fulbright Program has had worldwide because of the thousands of grantees that have had the opportunity to learn and work in each other\u2019s nations. Fulbright has facilitated the academic exchange between the United States and other countries for 75 years of which 71 years with the Netherlands. The positive impact it has had does not only influence academics but also spans across individual lives and a general understanding between our societies.<\/p>\n

We are not only reflecting back on our history but also looking towards an exciting future. The coming 75 years we expect that talent from both the Netherlands and the United States will at the very least match the achievements of those who have gone before them. All future participants will continue to contribute to collaborations and new discoveries. Fulbright will remain committed to offer equal opportunities to exceptional students, academics, teachers, artists and professionals from the Netherlands and the United States.<\/p>\n

Before the reception, a welcoming-program was also organized by the U.S. Embassy for American students, ETA\u2019s and scholars. They were invited to attend lectures that focused on Dutch culture from several different perspectives.<\/p>\n

The speakers attending were;<\/p>\n

Mr. Ryan Roberts, Counselor for Public Affairs, U.S. Embassy<\/p>\n

Mr. Christward Gradenwitz, Executive Director Fulbright Commission the Netherlands<\/p>\n

Mr. James Kennedy, Professor Modern Dutch History at Utrecht University<\/p>\n

Mr. Omar Cardentey, Deputy Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Embassy.<\/p>\n

Through these lectures the Americans were introduced to the basics of the Dutch political system, a brief history on the Dutch and were given a Dutch\/American perspective on diversity and diplomacy.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

The Fulbright Commission congratulates the 2021 Fulbright grantees<\/strong><\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”4864″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”4866″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]The Fulbright Commission the Netherlands was very pleased to organize its annual award ceremony for Dutch Fulbright scholarship recipients at the U.S. Embassy in Wassenaar on June 8th. In this special year, which marks the 75th anniversary of the Fulbright program, 19 Dutch scholars, PhD researchers and graduate students attended a hybrid award ceremony together with officials from the Dutch and American government, Fulbright staff and alumni. The ceremony was live streamed for family and friends to attend.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]Among this year\u2019s speakers were<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ms. Marja Verloop, Charg\u00e9 d\u2019Affaires of the U.S. Mission to the Netherlands<\/p>\n

Prof. dr. Anton Pijpers, Chair of the Fulbright Commission Board<\/p>\n

Mr. Gerbert Kunst, Director of International Policy, Ministry of Education, Culture and Science<\/p>\n

Ms. Trix Mulder, Fulbright Alumna, University of Maryland<\/p>\n

Mr. Aydan Figaroa, Fulbright Alumnus, Yale University<\/p>\n

Dr. Christward Gradenwitz, Executive Director of the Fulbright Commission[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\u201cThis is the first event we are hosting in the Embassy since the pandemic began and I\u2019m so glad we are using it to honor you,\u201d said Charg\u00e9 d\u2019Affaires Marja Verloop as she welcomed the grantees. \u201cFor the last 75 years, Fulbright has been enriching lives, supporting research, and building bridges across the Atlantic. […] Senator Fulbright believed so strongly in the ideal of mutual understanding and people-to-people diplomacy that he did something decidedly American\u2014he went to Congress and requested the establishment of the largest exchange program in history. 75 years later, Fulbright is known as much for academic excellence as it is for bridging cultures and for forming lifelong bonds. From the Cold War, to the rise of the Internet and now into this century, scholars like you have innovated, broadened our understanding of our world, and left their mark on Fulbright. Your Fulbright grants will open doors in ways you cannot imagine, you will gain new perspectives and learn to dream bigger.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Mr Gerbert Kunst, Director of the Department of International Policy at the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science added that \u201cthese are experiences you will never forget. And don\u2019t be afraid to dedicate yourself to a better world. You don\u2019t need to be a world leader or nobel prize winner to do that, although you never know what could happen!\u201d[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Chair of the board, Prof. Dr. Anton Pijpers said: \u201cYou will serve as ambassadors for your country, just as the incoming U.S. students and scholars will represent their country. What does it mean to serve as an Ambassador? I would say it means: be authentic, be open-minded, do not shy away from interesting or challenging conversations about either country. Learn and educate. Find common ground and celebrate it, acknowledge difference and try to respect it. As I am sure our speakers will remind us today, our two nations share deep and meaningful historic ties and a promising future. We are delighted that you will be a part of that future.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Our Fulbright alumni also had some good insights to share with the grantees.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Aydan Figaroa attended Yale Law School with a Fulbright grant in 2020-2021 and said: \u201cHaving this amazing Fulbright experience made me realize what my position was in the world, what my position was with the law, and now I can use the law to make the world hopefully a better place.\u201d He had one more solid piece of advice to share with our grantees: \u201cBe open and honest. Be open and honest to yourself – it\u2019s ok to sometimes feel out of place and to miss your friends and family. And also be open and honest to others: talk to your peers, talk to your professors, talk to the people you meet on the streets. It will help you find your position in the world.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Fulbright alumna Trix Mulder attended the University of Maryland in 2019 and said: \u201cEven if you spend most of your time in academia, make sure you also have time to speak to other Americans. There are different ways to go about this. My way was watching sports. I deliberately chose to go to games on my own. I noticed very quickly that Americans are very curious about the people sitting next to them, especially when they\u2019re sitting alone. I met the nicest people during those games. They told me so much about what it means to be in their city and what it means to be an American. Some of them even invited me for a meal to talk some more. Two years later, I am still in contact with some of them. I truly believe that combining the information I received from the people within academia and the information people outside academia gave me, helped me understand the American culture better. It also helped me understand American law better – because law does not exist on its own.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Finally, Executive Director Christward Gradenwitz shared more advice on how to approach the important mission of mutual understanding. \u201cOne way of looking at mutual understanding is to see the common ground. The U.S. and the Netherlands HAVE a lot of common ground. In essence we share the foundations that can be called the hallmarks of Western society, like freedom, democracy, and human rights. But mutual understanding is not only about what is the same. It is also about what is different. Not only BETWEEN our two countries, but also WITHIN them. If there is no common ground, how can we find the middle ground? We can learn from each other, by looking at how we try to deal with differences in our respective countries. Differences are good; diversity is great. Quite rightly it is a theme that is high on all agendas everywhere. By approaching mutual understanding the way I suggested, as Fulbrighters we can put diversity at the heart of our mission.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”4858″ img_size=”large”][vc_single_image image=”4862″ img_size=”large”][vc_single_image image=”4860″ img_size=”full”][vc_single_image image=”4886″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”4854″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”4878″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”4876″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Announcing the 2021 grantees<\/b><\/h3>\n

For the 2021-2022 academic year, 19 Dutch scholarship recipients will study, lecture and\/or research in the U.S.. We congratulate this year\u2019s Fulbright award recipients and wish them a successful and inspirational academic year in the U.S.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Scholar:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Roy Otten, Arizona State University<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Promovendi:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dirk Alkemade, New Netherlands Research Center (sponsored by NNRC)<\/p>\n

Rob de Haas, University of Washington (sponsored by Elsevier)<\/p>\n

Freek Heideman, New York University<\/p>\n

Eva van der Linden, National Institutes of Health, National Human Genome Research Institute<\/p>\n

Kim de Luca, University of California – Berkeley (sponsored by Elsevier)<\/p>\n

Mirjam Meijer, University of California – Los Angeles<\/p>\n

St\u00e9phanie Noach, Harvard University<\/p>\n

Mieke Slim, Harvard University<\/p>\n

Lotte Spreeuwenberg, City University of New York<\/p>\n

Simon van der Weele, Johns Hopkins University (sponsored by Elsevier)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Graduate Students:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Yussef Al Tamimi, Yale University<\/p>\n

Joosje Bleeker, University of California – Santa Cruz<\/p>\n

Georgina Booth, Columbia University<\/p>\n

Sjoukje IJlstra, Harvard University (sponsored by the Netherland-America Foundation)<\/p>\n

Justin Lindeboom, Harvard University<\/p>\n

Lise Mitsinga, Columbia University (sponsored by the Netherland-America Foundation)<\/p>\n

Inge Oosterhoff, New York University<\/p>\n

Jeffrey Sprong, Yale University[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4852″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_separator][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

75 Years of Global Impact<\/strong><\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]In 2021, we celebrate the Fulbright Program\u2019s history of positive impact on the lives of individuals as well as on global and local communities. We look forward to the next 75 years of Fulbrighters enriching their educations, advancing their careers, and making meaningful contributions to society.<\/p>\n

Since its inception in 1946, the Fulbright Program now operates in 160 countries and has provided over 400,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals of all backgrounds and in all fields the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas, and contribute to finding solutions to complex global challenges.<\/p>\n

Fulbright alumni overwhelmingly indicate that their participation expanded their knowledge and understanding of their academic fields and resulted in real-world research applications. An alumni survey of 2005-2015 Fulbright U.S. Scholars found that 88 percent of respondents reported that they were exposed to new ideas and concepts in their field as a result of their Fulbright exchange experience, and 90 percent reported gaining a deeper understanding of their discipline and research area.<\/p>\n

Visit the Fulbright 75th Anniversary<\/a> website for more information and upcoming events.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_raw_html]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[\/vc_raw_html][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” el_class=”.zijbar-vervolg”][vc_column offset=”vc_hidden-lg vc_hidden-md vc_hidden-sm”][vc_widget_sidebar show_bg=”false” sidebar_id=”sidebar_4″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text css=””] Annual Lecture Fulbright Commission X John Adams Institute\u00a0 Rachel Khong: An Atlas of Us Join us on 21 May for our annual event with the John Adams Institute. Rachel Khong is the bestselling author of Goodbye, Vitamin and Real Americans. Her writing has appeared in The…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-4836","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","description-off"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fulbright.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4836","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fulbright.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fulbright.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fulbright.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fulbright.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4836"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https:\/\/fulbright.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4836\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10802,"href":"https:\/\/fulbright.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4836\/revisions\/10802"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fulbright.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4836"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}