Fulbright Foreign Student Program (Master’s Degree) Spotlight: Osman Dzudzevic

Osman Dzudzevic is a 2024–2026 Fulbright Foreign Student Program grantee currently pursuing a Master of Public Affairs (MPA) at Indiana University Bloomington, at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, with concentrations in Public Financial Management and Energy & Climate Policy. He reflects on Bloomington’s lively and international atmosphere, where academic life and community spirit, especially around college sports,  shape the rhythm of the city. Through rigorous coursework, applied policy analysis, and balancing graduate studies with parenthood, Osman has honed his skills in applying theory to real-world policy, working efficiently under pressure, and tackling complex financial and energy challenges.

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program brings citizens of Kosovo to the United States to study for master’s degrees at U.S. universities. The program has brought some of the world’s finest minds to U.S. campuses and offers program participants insight into U.S. society and values. Many foreign Fulbright grantees are early-career professionals who will return to take leadership positions in their home countries, often working in the public sector, including in government or at universities.

This program is jointly funded by the U.S. Department of State and the Government of Kosovo.

1. Where are you studying, and what is your field of study?

I’m studying at Indiana University Bloomington, pursuing a Master of Public Affairs (MPA) at the O’Neill School, with a concentration in Public Financial Management and Energy & Climate Policy. In simple terms, I study how governments manage money and make big decisions about energy and climate. 

2. One thing about your university or host city that has surprised you.

I was genuinely surprised by how international and lively Bloomington is. For a relatively small city, it feels like the whole world meets here. On any given day, people are going to basketball or football games, tailgating, studying on campus, or preparing for exams - often all within the same week. 

3. What does a typical week look like for you right now?

A typical week is a mix of classes, readings, group work, and dad duties. My schedule changed somewhat after becoming a parent, and it is now less perfectly planned and more about strategically surviving - but it works and has become my normal rhythm.

4. What is one skill you didn’t expect to gain but did?

Academically, I gained a much stronger ability to translate theory into applied analysis, especially when working with complex policy questions and real-world data. On a personal level, becoming a parent during graduate school forces you to be efficient. You learn to read academic papers faster, write under pressure, and value sleep more than you ever thought possible.

5. What has been the biggest culture shock for you in the U.S.?

College sports. The scale, energy, and emotional investment are on a different level, and it quickly became clear how central sports are to community life. When Indiana University won a national championship, Bloomington was at the center of national attention for an entire week. Last year, the Indiana Pacers also ended up playing in an NBA final, which meant that Indiana was in the national spotlight throughout much of my graduate studies.