January 16, 2015

Presidential Victory for Fulbright Alumna from Croatia

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Photo Credit, European Pressphoto Agency
An alumna of Fulbright, Ms. Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic was recently elected as the first woman President of Croatia.  With a marginal victory over the incumbent President, she brought to the table her vast international experience including her scholarship through State Department’s flagship international exchange program - Fulbright.

In 2002-03, Ms. Grabar-Kitarovic participated in the Fulbright program as a visiting researcher at the George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs.  During that time she focused on U.S. foreign policy in the 21st century and subsequently continued work with the United States in prominent positions such as the Croatian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of European Affairs, and as the Croatian Ambassador to the United States. Read more about the elections and her victory in the New York Times. 

Croatia’s new President-elect is just one example of many notable exchange alumni who are heads of state, leaders of organizations, cutting-edge researchers, and more. To read more inspiring alumni stories, visit alumni.state.gov.