Steven D. Roper

Fulbright Senior Specialist Grant

I received a Fulbright Senior Specialist Grant for the period of 19 May-30 June 2003. I was affiliated with the International Institute of Management (IIM) located in Chisinau, Moldova. As part of the grant, I conducted a workshop for faculty and students in the area of international political economy and applied research methods. While this was my primary duty under the terms of the grant, I was also able to accomplish other activities through the Public Affairs Office of the U.S. Embassy in Chisinau. I want to thank the Public Affairs Officers, Aleisha Woodward, and the Cultural Affairs Assistant, Irina Colin, for all their support.

Aside from my lecturing responsibilities at IIM, I was also able to assist the Embassy in other areas. I was locally recruited by the Embassy to serve as an election monitor for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). In addition, I was able to give lectures in the area of Moldova known as Transnistria. It had been six years since the last time a Fulbrighter had given a lecture in this region. I also was able to assist the Public Affairs Office with a pre-departure session for Moldovan Fulbrighters. Finally, I developed a workshop for all Moldovan educational institutions on the prospects and problems associated with distance learning.

In addition to these activities, I was able to find time to conduct my own research on party development and the Transnistrian conflict. I had a wonderful time seeing old friends and making new ones. This is what the Fulbright experience is all about--fostering international understanding through individual contacts. Below are pages of the various activities with photos.

This is the page that I developed for use in the workshop at IIM for faculty and students on international political economy and applied research methods.

I was fortunate to have an old friend serve as my host advisor at IIM.

Here are some photos and information regarding my experience as a local election observer for the OSCE.

Here are some photos of Transnistria.

The distance education seminar was very successful. Here are some photos from the event.

During my stay, I was able to see many old friends and make new ones.

Here is the home page of the U.S. Embassy in Moldova.

Here is the home page of the Public Affairs Office at the U.S. Embassy in Moldova that developes, implements and coordinates all cultural and educational programs, including Fulbright.

More more information about the Senior Specialist Program, go to the CIES web site.