This year marks the Fulbright Program’s platinum jubilee, when we celebrate 75 years of making new friends around the world in pursuit of peace. We at U.S. Embassy Seoul are immensely proud of the immeasurable impact the Fulbright Program has on the deep relationship between the United States and the Republic of Korea. The program continues to expand our friendship, cooperation, and mutual understanding based on our many shared values.
Approximately 6,700 Fulbright alumni – roughly 3,600 Koreans and 3,100 Americans – have built bridges between the United States and Korea thanks to Fulbright. Korean Fulbrighters actively promote a more accurate understanding of Korea and its culture within their respective fields in the United States, serving as ambassadors for the benefit of educational exchange. American grantees in Korea have profoundly impacted underserved groups such as North Korean defectors, furthered research and U.S.-ROK collaboration to solve complex challenges in public health and climate change, pushed technology to new frontiers, and expanded access for young Koreans to higher education in the United States. It gives me great comfort and pride to know that Fulbrighters past, present, and future will continue to be stewards of the relationship between the United States and Korea.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a momentary pause for both Fulbright Korea and Infusion, but both have persevered. One thing the pandemic has made clear is that we need to collaborate on global issues now more than ever. In the years to come, I believe that the rich experience of Fulbright Korea and the cooperative relationship between our two nations will go well beyond our borders, benefitting the IndoPacific region and beyond. Seeing the important topics captured in the pages of this volume makes me even more optimistic about the next 75 years of the Fulbright Program, with participants enriching their educations, advancing their careers, and making meaningful contributions to society and the global community.
Dr. Anneliese Reinemeyer
Minister-Counselor for Public Diplomacy
Embassy of the United States of America
Chair, Korean-American Educational Commission
