Hannah Pontari is a Fulbright 
English Teaching Assistant at Matiční Gymnázium in Ostrava, Czech Republic. A recent graduate from Villanova University, where she studied Political Science and Public Administration, Hannah is interested in education policy, specifically the equitable internationalization of the American school system. Hannah, the daughter of a first-generation college student who instilled in her the values of education and travel very early in life, eagerly pursued the opportunity to immerse herself in an international educational context through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Hannah plans to apply her knowledge from teaching abroad to her studies at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education when she returns to the United States in June.
This past February, I had the incredibly exciting opportunity to attend the annual Fulbright EU-NATO Seminar in Luxembourg and Brussels as a representative for the Czech Republic Fulbright Commission. As a self-proclaimed political science nerd with a strong interest in international relations, I was ecstatic to find out that I, along with my wonderful friend and brilliant biology researcher Fizah Yousuf, would have the chance to explore the ins and outs of essential global institutions that help to maintain stability and peace worldwide.
The journey began in Luxembourg, a small but mighty country in Western Europe that houses several European Union institutions. The culture of Luxembourg is fascinating—the influence of bordering states is tangible but the country has a pulse that is completely its own. Fizah and I were surprised to find out that the national language is not German or French, but Luxembourgish!
The first night in Luxembourg, we were graciously welcomed to the seminar by its organizers: Elisabeth Bloxam and Erica Lutes of the Belgium Fulbright Commission. We attended an opening reception at the residence of the U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg and met a surprise guest: Luc Frieden, the current Prime Minister of Luxembourg (and a Fulbright alum himself!) After his speech, a fellow Fulbrighter asked him a question: “What does being Luxembourgish mean to you?” Prime Minister Frieden responded, “Well, what does being American mean to you?” This exchange truly resonated with me: as an American living in the Czech Republic, experiencing differences in language, systems, and culture, I am discovering more about my identity as an American—both what it means to others and to me—every day.
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The next day, we visited the European Court of Justice, the European Union institution responsible for interpreting EU law and ensuring its consistent application across all member states. After meetings with General Court Judge Paul Nihoul and President of the Court of Justice Koen Lenaerts, we observed the hearing of an active case. As the official language of the case was Italian, the ECJ had live interpreters on-site to translate the proceedings into different languages. As audience members, we simply put in headphones and tuned to the channel that provided an English translation—amazing! Following our insightful time in Luxembourg, we took a bus to neighboring Brussels. The best way I can describe the feel of Brussels: European Washington, D.C. As the de facto capital of the European Union, Brussels has an aura of purpose, importance, and collaboration.
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We visited both the European Commission and the European Parliament, where we learned about the inner workings of the EU’s many institutions. I have always been fascinated by the relationship between the three branches of the United States government. To explore the institutional organization of the EU, one of America’s strongest partnerships, while physically being in the center of it all was almost indescribable. Our discussions with EU employees spanned from the economy to globalization to politics, among other topics. Another wonderful facet of this experience was the unique opportunity to meet Fulbright grantees placed in different countries. At the conference, I had the chance to reconnect with a former classmate of mine from Villanova University, Caroline. The connections I have made among Fulbright grantees extend beyond the borders of the Czech Republic, and for that, I feel truly grateful.
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Our next stop was a briefing at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Headquarters. In a world strife with conflict, NATO, a political and military intergovernmental organization, works towards maintaining stability and security on a global scale.
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We learned about the evolution of NATO and how its role has developed parallel to the increasingly complex problems member countries face. We also met a surprise guest: the United States ambassador to NATO, Julianne Smith, who generously answered our questions. My favorite question was asked by Caroline: “What challenges do you face as a female leader in the national security space?” Ambassador Smith described the unique challenges women face when in a position of authority, such as probes about work-life balance or family life. I left NATO feeling really inspired as a woman with aspirations that lie in the public policy space.
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Overall, my experience at the Fulbright EU-NATO Seminar was incredible. The knowledge I gained about the institutions so integral to global stability will certainly stay with me as I pursue a career in international education. And, of course, I will miss the Belgian waffles most of all :)
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