Washington, D.C. (September 5, 2025) – The Edmund S. Muskie Professional Fellowship Program concluded its 2025 Fellowship with a three-day Debriefing held August 14–16 in Washington, D.C. The program brought Muskie Fellows together at the end of their summer internships to reflect on their professional growth, celebrate achievements, and prepare for continued engagement as alumni.

The Debriefing served as the culminating event of the Fellowship experience, providing opportunities for reflection, skill-building, and connection. Fellows participated in guided journaling on professional goals, shared lessons from their summer volunteer activities, and engaged in intercultural development exercises. The program also included a cultural visit to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, offering a deeper perspective on U.S. history and cultural diversity.

As part of the Debriefing, Fellows participated in two workshops led by Dawn J. Fraser, a storyteller, public speaker, and nationally acclaimed communications coach. She is the Creator and Host of Barbershop Stories, a Lead Instructor with The Moth, and a featured speaker at TED@NYC. In her workshops, The Story Advantage: Elevating Leadership Potential and Crafting Your Muskie Story, Fellows learned to use storytelling as a leadership tool, shaping their internship experiences into narratives that reflect their values, goals, and professional journeys.

During the Debriefing, Fellows met with representatives of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State to discuss how their internships contributed to their Fulbright experience. Fellows also presented on their work across fields such as public policy, education, health, and the arts, highlighting the diverse ways Muskie Fellows contribute to professional communities during their internships.

The Debriefing concluded with a reception recognizing each Fellow’s successful completion of their Fellowship and the awarding of certificates. While the 2025 Muskie Program has come to a close, Fellows will carry forward the skills, connections, and shared experiences they built throughout their time in the U.S., remaining part of a lasting alumni community.

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About the Edmund S. Muskie Professional Fellowship Program

In its 11th year of programming, the Edmund S. Muskie Professional Fellowship Program, funded by the U.S. Department of State and implemented by Cultural Vistas, gives Fulbright Program emerging leaders from Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia the opportunity to gain real-world experience that complements and enriches their graduate studies in the U.S.

Since 1992, the U.S. Department of State has provided thousands of graduate school fellowships for students from across Eurasia to build democracies, strengthen the transition to market economies, and establish strong civil societies. Cultural Vistas has built upon that foundation by providing hands-on, professional skill-building opportunities across the United States for more than 400 graduate students over the last ten years.