In this section, Fulbright Greece provides an update on how COVID-19 has affected its programs and presents resources for its U.S./Greek Fulbright Community and Education USA advisees.
Fulbright Scholarship Programs for U.S. and Greek Citizens
Despite global challenges presented by the current public health crisis, the Fulbright Foundation in Greece has moved forward with the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 Scholarship Programs for U.S. and Greek citizens.
Fulbright Greece continues to monitor COVID-19 in the United States and around the world and the status of U.S. and Greek higher education institutions, taking all necessary steps to protect the health and well-being of its grantees and staff. It is important that Fulbright grantees and candidates remain flexible and aware that this is an evolving situation. We will keep you posted on any developments that we deem may have an impact on your exchange experience in the U.S / Greece.
During these uncertain times, it may be helpful to remember that throughout its 75-year history, the Fulbright Program has persisted despite myriad challenges. In that spirit, the sponsors of the Fulbright Program, including the U.S. Department of State, the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FFSB), the Fulbright Foundation in Greece, the Hellenic Ministries of Education and Foreign Affairs, and our cooperating agencies in the United States are working together to ensure the Fulbright Program continues to operate successfully.
However, none of these organizations, namely the U. S. Department of State, the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FFSB), the Institute of International Education (IIE), the Fulbright Foundation Greece or U.S. Embassy will be liable for any claim or claims resulting from a grantee's failure to enter upon or to complete their exchange program, even though the failure may be beyond the grantee’s control.
U.S. to Greece: Preparing for your Fulbright Grant in Greece
The health and safety of U.S. Fulbright grantees and their dependents is a top priority for the Fulbright program. It is also our responsibility as a global community to curb the further spread of Covid-19 and to ensure public safety. U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to stay up-to-date on local and international guidelines and restrictions prior to traveling to Greece by visiting the U.S. Embassy in Athens website
2020-2021 U.S. Fulbright English Teaching Assistant to Athens College, Athena Stavropoulos, talks about her current Fulbright experience in Greece.
Greece to the U.S.: Preparing for your Fulbright Grant in the U.S.
Greek grantees planning their 2021-2022 grant periods should keep in mind that U.S. COVID-19 related policies have not yet relaxed in regard to visa issuance and travel. It is important that you keep informed about national, state and institutional directives and regulations. The U.S. Department of State shared these lastly updated guidelines: Message and Update.
A number of Greek grantees currently in the U.S. were eligible for Covid-19 vaccinations on their respective campuses. More and more U.S. universities now announce that they will require students to be vaccinated before arrival on campus for the fall 2021 semester.
What is NIE - National Interest Exception? Certain travelers to the U.S., such as J-1 students, are granted NIE status as noted on their - valid - visas. The NIE, once approved, is valid for one month and is required by the U.S. immigration authorities. Any J-1 holder who departs or returns to the U.S. has to confirm with the U.S. Consulate that their NIE is still valid.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued an Order on January 12, 2021 requiring proof of a negative COVID-19 test or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 for all air passengers arriving from a foreign country to the US. This Order will be effective on January 26, 2021. In addition, the White House under President Joseph R. Biden Jr. has published its first Executive Order on January 21, 2021 in regard to Covid-19 safety measures in domestic and international travel.
As the COVID-19 global pandemic continues, the Fulbright Program has adopted policies for participants who need COVID testing. Read the current guidelines for COVID-19 testing when it is required for international travel and/or by host institutions and communities.
2020-2021 Greek Fulbright Graduate Student to Cornell University, Demetri Lampris, talks about his current Fulbright experience in the U.S.
Reopening International Exchange: The World is More Open Than You Think:
More than 50 new Visiting Scholars arrived from around the world in early January and are settling into their host communities/institutions. To welcome them, IIE has relaunched its Visiting Scholar/Scholar-in-Residence newsletter
Greek Fulbright Grantees can consult the visiting grantees guidelines with information and FAQs on their pending grant periods.
Studies in the U.S. EducationUSA
Fulbright Greece continues to support the public by offering many of its services virtually: Group Advising Sessions for students interested to study in the U.S.A., Pre-Departure Orientations in June and its annual U.S. University Fair in the fall.
Phone support is also possible Tuesday through Thursday from 11:00 am - 2:30 pm and email communication is available on weekdays.
Fulbright Greece provides online services and assistance to scholarship candidates, students, parents and all interested parties.
Fulbright Greece is Open Online
Services include EducationUSA advising on Studies in the USA. Students can regularly visit the Foundation's website and register for any of the scheduled Virtual Group Advising Sessions.
Missed out on the first Virtual University Fair? You can still explore the 90 U.S. Colleges and Universities that participated and reach out to those that interest you!
When it all started...
The U.S. based Institute of International Education (IIE) closely follows the developments within the U.S. higher education community. It has published a series of COVID-19 Snapshot Surveys that gives detailed feedback on the changing academic landscape between the start of the pandemic and the peak in summer 2020.
Since the outbreak of the pandemic, Fulbright has responded to the new challenges.
Watch Looking Back | Moving Forward
In my nearly two decades as the Executive Director of the Fulbright Foundation in Greece, this has been the most challenging year to date.
Read the full message from Fulbright Executive Director Artemis A. Zenetou: Celebrating 72 Years of Educational and Cultural Exchanges
Fulbright Greece created a Special Edition of its Fulbright Greece E-Newsletter in honor of the 2020-2021 Fulbright Award Recipients, and the Donors who so gracefully support the work and aims of the Foundation.
Exchanges like our flagship Fulbright Program are an investment in the future of U.S.-Greece relations, and we will do everything we can to help ensure that no momentum is lost on that front.
Read the full Message from U.S. Ambassador to Greece, Geoffrey R. Pyatt
Header Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash