UNITED STATES TO GREECE
Public engagement, diplomacy, anticipation, prevention, and response to conflict
George Mesthos (Fulbright Student, 2009–2010) currently serves as Deputy Director of Public Engagement at the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, where he is responsible for programs engaging youth audiences. His current role is, in many ways, a direct continuation of his Fulbright Greece experience, particularly his work engaging with students through EducationUSA.
Mesthos credits Fulbright Greece with setting him on the path to a career in U.S. diplomacy. While his Fulbright award enabled him to earn a master's degree, it was his experiences beyond the classroom—engaging with public officials, meeting contacts in informal settings, and gaining a deeper understanding of Greece and the region—that sparked his interest in foreign affairs. He initially pursued this interest as a journalist before joining the U.S. Foreign Service.
At the heart of his Fulbright award was an M.A. in Southeast European Studies at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Studying alongside Greek students and students from Albania, Cyprus, Serbia, and Türkiye proved transformative, exposing him to different perspectives and increasing his confidence in representing the American perspective abroad.
Another pivotal experience was the Brussels-Luxembourg seminar for American Fulbright students. Meeting EU and NATO representatives alongside talented and dedicated future foreign affairs professionals made a career in diplomacy feel tangible and attainable. The experience ultimately prompted him to pursue a career in the Foreign Service.
Mesthos joined the Foreign Service in 2014 and has served in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and Florence, Italy, as well as in domestic assignments in Washington, D.C. He assumed his current posting in Manila in summer 2024. A common thread throughout his career has been the anticipation, prevention, and response to conflict—a focus that he connects to a quotation by Senator J. William Fulbright that hung in the Fulbright Greece office: “Education is a slow-moving, but powerful force.”
His time in Athens also prepared him for his earlier career in journalism. Following his Fulbright experience, he spent several years as a “street reporter” for national and local radio news outlets. The independence and initiative he developed as a Fulbright Student helped prepare him for the opportunities that followed and enabled him to contribute to an award-winning news operation.
Looking back on his Fulbright experience, Mesthos emphasizes the importance of building a strong network in Greece or in the country where a scholar is applying. He also stresses the value of having a clear research question and developing strong institutional partnerships alongside academic guidance. For him, the Fulbright experience demonstrates how an academic opportunity can open unexpected professional paths and ultimately shape an entire career.
Disclaimer: The personal views expressed in this Fulbright Greece Alumni profile are those of the individual and do not necessarily represent the positions of the U.S. Department of State, pursuant to 3 FAM 4170.