Ludmila Oleinic has lived in Russia, China, Romania, Belgium, France, Latvia, and India, among other countries. Add to that list the United States, as the native of Moldova comes to the Schar School of Policy and Government this fall as a Fulbright research assistant.
Oleinic, an associate professor of political science at the American University of Moldova, said she chose the Schar School for her scholarship to study first-hand “one of the first democracies in the world.” The U.S. “political system and political processes,” she said, “represent my prime interest from the scientific point of view, particularly the development and teaching of political science.
“I chose the Schar School of Policy and Government because it is the best in the region in academic excellence, research performance, and public responsibility,” she added.
Oleinic plans to make the most of her time with the Schar School, with specific goals in mind.
“My main objective is professional development—emulating the good practices of research and teaching political science, interacting with American colleagues, and participating at various activities throughout the academic year,” she said, in addition to “visiting and observing the activities of the main political institutions of the United States.”
Oleinic is the second Fulbright scholar to join the Schar School this fall. Philippine-native Jennifer Oreta is researching corruption and terrorism with the Schar School’s Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center (TraCCC).
To Oleinic, the Fulbright program means “the internationalization of education and exchange of good practices,” she said. “That is why in order to become a [Fulbright recipient] it is important to have experience as a scholar and to be a professional in your field of study. I achieved this during my more than 15 years of academic activity in the field of political science.
“And the last thing that I think is crucial: I like my job and my profession.”
Additional reporting by Buzz McClain.