By Ján Buleca, Slovakia
I learned about the opportunity to participate in the Study of U.S. Institutes for Scholars focused on Economics and Sustainable Development through the auspices of the Fulbright Slovakia. The duration of the program and its implementation within the summer months, coupled with very motivating recommendations from past participants, inspired me to apply, and finally it worked!
Since mid-July 2024, together with colleagues from 17 countries around the world, I have completed a number of incredible academic, professional, but also cultural and social experiences. Thanks to the tireless activity of the Institute for Training and Development (ITD) team, we had the opportunity to attend lectures by professors from many top universities. We personally visited the currently top-ranked university in the world: Harvard University (and its Harvard Business School) and Columbia University, members of the famous Ivy League, the world-famous Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the prestigious entrepreneurial Babson College, renowned Amherst College, as well as the University of Suffolk, New York University (Stern Business School), the University of Massachusetts, and the George Washington University. We had the opportunity to visit institutions such as the Federal Reserve of Boston, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, the Council of Foreign Relations, Freedom House, the IMF and many others.
I especially want to focus on the stay of SUSI Scholars 2024 in New York, where we had the opportunity to attend lectures at Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs. Professor Jeffry Frieden, as an expert specializing in the policies of international economic relations, global capitalism and monetary policies, introduced us to the latest trends, dynamics and challenges of globalization in his excellent lecture.
The influence of global events, namely the protests against the war in Gaza and the situation in the Middle East, also have their impact on the academic community. At the time of our stay, we experienced the resignation of the president of Columbia University, Dr. Minouche Shafik. She became the third president of an Ivy League university to resign over the handling of protests against the war in Gaza.
Stringent security protocols, including perimeter fencing and identity verification are the reality of these days, which was also waiting for us at New York University. Yet, within its hallowed halls, after being welcomed by the interim dean of NYU, Stern Business School, Professor J.P. Eggers, we were swiftly immersed in the complexities of regulatory power in his captivating lecture. It has transported us back to the crucible of the COVID-19 pandemic, examining the economic intricacies of vaccine distribution through a global lens.
Pedagogical mastery and skills, the structure and time schedule of the presentation, the way of responding to the audience’s inquiries were an inspiring experience that we take with us as part of the mosaic of educational methods of excellent world universities to our academic institutions.
Another top event during our stay in New York City was a guided exploration to the United Nations Headquarters. As a former member of the FAO UN expert mission in Chisinau, Moldova, I was profoundly moved by the opportunity to immerse myself in the ambiance of a venue where world leaders meet to address pressing global challenges.
In the meeting hall of the fifteen-member Security Council, negotiations are conducted to safeguard international peace and security, while the decisions of the council are binding for all members. The significance of the activities of the Security Council was physically completed by an exposition on world armament and its devastating consequences. The infographics and objects from Nagasaki after the nuclear explosion in 1945 left a particularly strong impression on us, some of them stored in protective display cases for the safety of visitors.
However, as economists, we were most interested in the premises of the Economic and Social Council, another of the six principal organs of the United Nations, responsible for coordinating the economic and social fields of the UN, and formulating policy recommendations addressed to member states and the UN System.
The highlight was a visit to the majestic meeting hall of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where 193 representatives of the member states of the United Nations meet, discussing the whole range of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations.
The visit to the United Nations Headquarters, in conjunction with exploration of numerous other institutions, allowed us to complete the overall impression and connect the academic world with the reality of the institutions of economic practice.
Our New York experience was completed by a visit to the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street, we saw the Bull Statue and the Fearless Girl, but also the Statue of Liberty, the National September 11 Memorial (former World Trade Center), and we ended the evening with a visit to the musical “& Juliet” on Broadway leaving us deeply captivated by the city’s pulsating rhythm and enduring allure.
The transformative experience of the Study of U.S. Institutes for Scholars program was an intellectual journey that expanded our horizons and ignited a passion for deeper exploration. From the hallowed halls of Ivy League universities to the dynamic vibes of New York City, each encounter was a catalyst for personal and professional growth. The privilege of engaging with world-renowned scholars and institutions has equipped me with a profound appreciation for the intricacies of global economics and the power of education to shape a better future. As I return home, I am eager to apply the invaluable knowledge and insights gained to contribute meaningfully to my community.
All opinions expressed by the program participants are their own and do not represent nor reflect official views from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, or of the Institute for Training and Development, Inc.
