University of Evansville to Welcome 50 Transylvanian Students for Cultural ExchangeRead full article…

Posted: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
By: University Communications

For the second year in a row, the University of Evansville (UE) will welcome 50 high school students and four teachers from Romania's Transylvania region this spring as part of the Bolyai2US American Educational and Cultural Experience with the Hungarian Medical Association of America Transylvanian Chapter (HMAA-TC).

The two-week exchange program, held March 30 through April 11, 2026, is offered in partnership with Reitz Memorial High School and Bolyai Farkas Theoretical High School.

While in Evansville, students will live with local host families, attend classes at Reitz Memorial, and participate in academic workshops and campus experiences at UE. This year's delegation is significantly larger than last year's visit, reflecting continued growth and interest in the program.

At UE, students will spend a full day exploring academic pathways such as education, marketing, health sciences, computer science, nursing, business, and engineering through faculty-led sessions and hands-on demonstrations. The experience begins with an introduction to the Center for Innovation and Change, followed by a Design Thinking and Global Changemaking Challenge that highlights creative problem-solving.

Students will then dive into computer science and artificial intelligence. Afternoon sessions include an overview of the College of Education and Health Sciences, a nursing lab demonstration, and tours of the College of Business and Engineering. Students can then choose a campus experience tour, including athletics, theatre, or the art gallery, offering a well-rounded look at academic and student life at UE.

"This exchange gives students a meaningful opportunity to build global connections while experiencing American education and community life firsthand," said Catie Taylor, Senior Associate Director of Admission. "We are proud to continue expanding a program that fosters cultural understanding and inspires students to see themselves as global citizens."

In addition to their time in Evansville, the group will visit Indianapolis and Washington, D.C., touring major landmarks and cultural institutions.

"We are excited to continue and grow this exchange initiative through the HMAA Transylvanian Chapter, as we see the magnitude of benefits that the program offers to all involved. The true impact of the Bolyai2US lies in global connections," said Project Director Anna Gergely. "Through this program, we bring together students, families, schools, and an entire community in ways that foster mutual respect and understanding. We are seeing young people return home more confident, more open-minded, and more ambitious."

The exchange promotes global understanding, cross-cultural learning, and meaningful connections among students, faculty, and host families, reinforcing a shared commitment to preparing globally engaged citizens.