From Moldovan Exchange Participant to Embassy First Secretary

From an undergraduate student who had never left Moldova, to First Secretary at his country’s Washington, DC Embassy, it’s been quite a journey for Tudor Ulianovschi. A participant in the Freedom Support Act Undergraduate exchange program (FSAU), now the Global Undergraduate Exchange program (UGRAD), Ulianovschi spent the 2002-2003 academic year studying sociology and law at Spalding University in Louisville, Kentucky. His experience in the United States, and his subsequent work as a program alumni coordinator, helped lay the groundwork for a future career in law and diplomacy.

Ulianovschi has been working with the Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration since graduating from college in 2005, and was transferred to the Washington, DC Embassy in 2007. At the Embassy, much of his work focuses on cultural affairs, and his participation in the FSAU program has given him an important perspective into American life. He says he always had “a desire to explore and learn about other cultures and talk to other people, and studying in the US was a great way to do this.”

During his time in the United States, Ulianovschi lived with a host family that helped him quickly adapt to American life. Although the family’s grown children had already moved out of the house, he formed a close bond with his hosts and he still emails them on a weekly basis. For him, living with a host family was preferable to living in the dorms, because he had the opportunity “to speak English all the time and discuss many different issues with them.”

While in Louisville, Ulianovschi was highly involved in the local community. He spent many hours volunteering at orphanages and retirement homes around the city, and even taught English to immigrant children. He interned with one of the most highly regarded law firms in Kentucky, Goldberg & Simpson, and worked on contract and banking law cases. Like many residents of Louisville, he attended the Kentucky Derby and he returned for last year’s race as well.

Looking back on his experience as an FSAU participant, Ulianovschi is very thankful that he had the opportunity to live in the United States as an undergraduate exchange student. He encourages prospective applicants to be proactive in their preparations, study about America before leaving and be open minded. “You need to decide what you really want to do and express yourself as much as possible in order to be successful,” he said. “If you build the confidence, you will be able to do it.”

FSAU/UGrad is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State and is administered by IREX.