Fulbright Germany Orientation Meeting for our US-grantees 2025-26: A Unified Start in Berlin

From September 22 to 25, 2025, Fulbright Germany welcomed its new cohort of U.S. grantees at the Free University Campus in Berlin-Dahlem. For the first time, English Teaching Assistants (ETAs) and Study/Research and Journalism grantees came together for a joint orientation program — creating valuable opportunities for connection, exchange, and collaboration across fields.

The ETAs began their program with a deep dive into the German school system on Monday. The Study/Research cohort as well as our Journalists joined the following day for the official Fulbright Germany welcome and an afternoon networking session, where all groups met in person.

A major highlight of the meeting was the wonderful keynote address by Fulbright alumna Melissa Eddy, New York Times correspondent in Berlin, who spoke about her personal Fulbright experience, her path into journalism and the role of transatlantic perspectives in today’s media landscape.

Throughout the week, participants attended workshops on science communication, self-care and resilience, and life in Germany as a researcher or student.

Campus tours, group discussions, and targeted breakout sessions ensured a well-rounded introduction to academic and professional life in Germany.

By bringing together grantees from different programs and disciplines, the 2025-26 Orientation Meeting fostered interdisciplinary dialogue, new friendships, and a strong sense of community — setting the tone for a meaningful and impactful Fulbright year ahead.

For the Fulbright Germany team, it was truly inspiring to meet so many of our grantees in person. Your energy, questions, and passion for your projects remind us why this work matters. Thank you for sharing your first steps with us: we wish each of you an exciting and rewarding year in Germany.