When I arrived in Sweden for my Fulbright year, I found that the scholars I met to be generous, welcoming, and genuinely engaged in helping me to progress my research project. When I herd from a fellow Fulbrighter about a seminar on Queen Christina of Sweden, the subject of my doctoral work, being conducted at the University in Uppsala, I contacted the professor in charge and was invited to attend. That chance meeting opened many doors for me both personally and professionally. It led to my involvement with the Christina-Akademien, a Swedish cultural organization that promotes knowledge about Queen Christina and her times. I attended the Academy’s annual celebration for the Queen’s birthday held at the Royal Armory while on my Fulbright in 2015.
I have since been invited back several times to speak at that same event and to host lectures for the Academy. I currently serve as research coordinator and act as an international voice on the board of the Christina-Akademien, continuing to build on the mutual understanding and exchange initiated during my Fulbright year.
Theresa Kutasz – Fulbright to Sweden 2015 and 2016