Hungarian Fulbright Association

03/05/2026

03/05/2026

At the Hungarian Fulbright Association, we believe that moments of true intellectual significance arise when disciplines, generations, and experiences of historic weight meet in dialogue.

This spring, our Fulbright Club events brought together precisely such rare encounters.

In March, we had the privilege of hosting a high-level roundtable on the first year of the current U.S. administration and its transatlantic implications, featuring two of the most experienced and influential figures of Hungarian foreign policy: Géza Jeszenszky and Péter Balázs. Both served as Hungary’s Ministers of Foreign Affairs at pivotal historical junctures, shaping the country’s external relations during periods of systemic transformation.

Their reflections went far beyond day-to-day diplomacy. They offered a strategic and historically grounded analysis of transatlantic relations, European integration, and the evolving architecture of global governance—drawing on decades of first-hand experience at the highest levels of international decision-making. The discussion, expertly moderated by Emily Schulten Weekley, embodied the Fulbright spirit: rigorous, open, and deeply interdisciplinary.

In April, we continued this intellectual journey with a lecture by Gábor Hamza, one of Hungary’s most distinguished legal scholars, full member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Fulbright alumnus, and a highly esteemed member of our Association. Professor Hamza stands as one of the foremost international representatives of Hungarian legal science.

His lecture on the origins of the United States Constitution and its lessons for contemporary governance offered a masterful synthesis of legal history, comparative constitutional analysis, and political philosophy. By tracing the intellectual lineage from Roman law and European constitutional traditions to the American founding, he illuminated the structural logic of checks and balances, federalism, and the protection of fundamental rights—concepts that continue to define modern constitutional democracies.

Together, these two events demonstrated the unique capacity of the Fulbright community to convene voices that not only interpret history—but have shaped it.

From diplomacy to constitutional thought, from lived statecraft to scholarly reflection, these conversations reaffirmed a core conviction: that transatlantic dialogue, grounded in knowledge and mutual respect, remains indispensable in navigating the complexities of our time.

We are grateful to our distinguished speakers and to all members of the Fulbright community who continue to make these exchanges possible.

03/05/2026

Fulbright Lanzarote Study Trip

03/05/2026

The Hungarian Fulbright Association was honoured to participate in the recent Fulbright study visit in Lanzarote, organized by our Spanish counterparts, the Spanish Fulbright Alumni Association—an intellectually rich and inspiring gathering that once again demonstrated the enduring strength of the Fulbright community. Special thanks to Professor Agustin Guimera and Anjel Alvarez for the excellent organisation, Juan Diaz-andreu for the great conversations.

Our association was represented by Professor László Márkus and our President György Kovács at this distinguished event, which brought together Fulbright alumni from across Europe, including a strong delegation from the German Fulbright Alumni Association, with participants such as Wiltrud Hammelstein.

Beyond its exceptional cultural and academic program, the Lanzarote meeting reaffirmed the strategic importance of cross-border alumni cooperation. Initiatives spanning Europe—particularly those involving American Fulbright scholars and coordinated within the framework of the European Network of American Alumni Associations —play a crucial role in sustaining transatlantic dialogue, academic exchange, and policy-relevant collaboration.

In this context, joint study visits such as those organized in Brussels and Luxembourg together with our German partners, the German Fulbright Alumni Association are of particular significance. They create unique platforms for engagement with European institutions, foster interdisciplinary exchange, and strengthen a shared understanding of the evolving transatlantic relationship.

These initiatives reflect the core mission of the The Fulbright Program: to promote mutual understanding between nations through educational and cultural exchange. At a time of increasing global complexity, the value of such networks—grounded in trust, intellectual openness, and long-term cooperation—cannot be overstated.

We look forward to continuing this collaboration across Europe and beyond.

03/05/2026

Earlier this year, our President, György Kovács had the opportunity to participate in a long-standing Hungarian–American community event in New York: the annual Piarist Ball.

While rooted in tradition, the evening reflects something highly relevant to the mission of the Hungarian Fulbright Association and the broader The Fulbright Program: the enduring role of diaspora communities in building bridges between education, culture, and transatlantic cooperation.

In his opening remarks, he emphasized that these connections are not only about preserving heritage, but about actively shaping future collaboration between Hungary, the United States, and Europe — particularly through education, talent development, and intellectual exchange.

The event also brought together distinguished members of the Hungarian-American community, including Dr. Peter Forgach, whose work has impacted generations of students through the Calasantius Training Program.

Encounters like these remind us that beyond formal institutions, it is often committed individuals and communities who sustain and deepen the transatlantic dialogue that programs like Fulbright seek to foster.

16/02/2026

The Hungarian Fulbright Association has been represented by our President, György Kovács, at the conference celebrating the 80th anniversary of The Fulbright Program and the 250th anniversary of the United States, held at the Magyar Nemzeti Galéria, Hungarian National Gallery.

In his ceremonial address, he emphasized that the strength of the Fulbright community lies in continuity, trust-based cooperation, and alumni responsibility. He congratulated the recipients of the Fulbright Hungary Medal and paid special tribute to Dr. Huba Bruckner for his foundational role in establishing the Hungarian-American Fulbright Commission and guiding it for more than two decades, thereby shaping exemplary cooperation between the Fulbright Commission and the Hungarian Fulbright Association .

The address highlighted that:
• the Hungarian Fulbright alumni community now numbers over 2,000 members,
• our alumni play an active role in mentoring and hosting American grantees,
• and the Hungarian Fulbright Association is deeply embedded in the international alumni network, cooperating closely with other Fulbright associations, notably with the German Fulbright Alumni Association, Fulbright Association and the European Network of American Alumni Associations (ENAM).

2026 will be a particularly significant year, marking the 35th anniversary of the Hungarian Fulbright Association, to be celebrated with an international conference on 21 May 2026, titled “Bridging Knowledge and Impact – International Models of Academic–Industry Knowledge Transfer.”

The conference welcomed Eric Lopez, Board Secretary and Chair of the DEI Committee of the Fulbright Association, and former Fulbright grantee to Hungary, whose presence further strengthened transatlantic alumni cooperation.

The Hungarian Fulbright Association expresses its sincere gratitude to Fulbright Hungary — especially Károly Jókay , Annamaria Sas, Klára Berzétey, Anna Kaszásné Becsei, Litkei Kornélia, and Csanad Nagypal — and to the U.S. Embassy Budapest for their outstanding organization and valued support. Exchange Programs - U.S. Department of State Katalin Nagy

07/02/2026

24/01/2026

Fulbright Association members from across the country will come together in Washington, DC for Advocacy Day to support international exchange and the Fulbright Program.

Advocacy Day is a powerful opportunity to connect with fellow alumni, share your story, and advocate directly with congressional offices.

No prior advocacy experience is required. Training, talking points, and guidance are provided so every participant feels prepared and supported.

Advocacy Day is a members-only event. Join the Fulbright Association to take part.

Learn more and register at fulbright.org/advocacy