When I entered my Freshman year at UPenn as a Russian and Eastern European Studies Major, I knew I wanted to spend time living in my region of study. In high school, I lived in a Russian-speaking region of Estonia for three months on a National Security Language Initiative for Youth. When Russia invaded Ukraine, the possibility of studying abroad in Russia was eliminated, so I shifted my focus to Eastern Europe. Although I continued to study Russian, I started to learn Ukrainian with the hopes of coming to Moldova and assisting Ukrainian refugees.
Furthermore, Moldova is an ideal location for me to pursue a Fulbright due to its importance in European politics. My award-winning undergraduate honors thesis, 'An Uncertain Future for EU Enlargement: Russian Hybrid Warfare in Georgia, Moldova and Serbia,' explored Russian sabotage in Moldova, mainly in the form of election interference and disinformation. Moldova is determining its path forward as a modern, European nation, with aspirations to join the EU. Although deeply reminiscent of the Soviet Union, Moldova's future is bright, and I am excited to play a small role in it by educating the country's youth.
Want to learn how you could be a Fulbright Scholar like me? The Fulbright Program is the United States government's flagship international exchange program. Fulbrighters foster mutual understanding between the United States and partner nations, share knowledge across communities, and improve lives around the world. Learn more by clicking here!
