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Dear Search Committee Members, I believe similar principles apply to writing an academic cover letter. With the calm wisdom of Maugham words in mind, I begin these lines. This summer, I made the decision to envision my long-term future within the academic landscape of an American university. I was therefore particularly excited to learn about Yale’s call for applications announced in Connections: A Journal for Historians and Area Specialists for an Associate/Full Professor position in Global History, International Relations – areas that align closely with my field of expertise. Yale’s world-renowned tradition of excellence in the teaching of history has intrigued me since my youth. I reviewed the core curricula and departmental focus areas with great interest, finding that they beautifully illustrate the university's multifaceted approach to the intersections, interconnectedness and complexities of international history. For nearly fifteen years, I have been engaged in studying the fragility of international harmony, focusing on the history and issues surrounding international diplomatic and military crises. These crises, originating from conflicts in Europe, have fundamentally shaped the history of the 20th century on a global scale. I also had the privilege of conducting research on this topic when I spent four months in 2018 as a Fulbright Scholar in the United States (at Indiana University and in the archives of Washington D.C.). I completed my studies in History, Communication, and Pedagogy at the prestigious University of Pécs, one of Central- Europe’s oldest universities. The broad historical scope of the five-year program, covering eras from prehistory to the dissolution of the Soviet Union, encompassing world history from Europe to the United States and even Australia, provided me with a comprehensive foundation in global history. This was further built upon in my doctoral studies, which focused on international relations as part of a three-year PhD program titled “Europe and Hungary in the 18th-20th century.” The tangible outcome of this work was my 2016 PhD dissertation, which was later published in 2022 under the title Forced Routes: Diplomatic Relations Between Italy and Hungary from 1943 to 1945 (published in Hungarian). I took steps to ensure that key findings from my research reached Italian historical circles, resulting in the publication of a study in the Class A journal Rivista di Studi Politici Internazionali in 2021. Excerpts from this publication, translated into English, serve as my writing sample. Since 2021, I have been member of the Academic Public Body of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (Committee of History). I am currently holding a research grant at the Hungarian Academy of Arts (Section of Art Theory), which will conclude in the summer of 2025. During this period, my research has shifted from the conflicts of the two World Wars to a focus on cultural diplomacy, specifically exploring European cultural and scientific collaborations. This work involves reconstructing historical events and uncovering, even reviving, significant figures who have contributed to finding a common voice among nations. One particularly refreshing aspect is mapping Hungary's relations with the Nordic states, until their neutrality - with the exception of Sweden - was crushed by Hitler. (Further details on this are given in my research statement.) My dedication to education and teaching is underscored by the fact that, apart from a few years, I have predominantly worked on a voluntary basis. Most recently, from 2020 to 2022, I founded and led an online school during the pandemic, providing mother-tongue education to Hungarian-speaking children in South Tyrol, from preschool to secondary levels. At “There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.” (W. Somerset Maugham) the same time, for the past five years, I have served as an external PhD supervisor. The fact that I have not yet held a university teaching position and am now applying for one for the first time has been a deliberate choice on my part. However, my colleagues, who fully support my application, have assured me of my teaching competencies, noting my strong presentation skills, a solid pedagogical foundation, and deep subject matter expertise. (Please refer to my teaching statement for more details.) Whether tracing contemporary achievements or historical origins of conflicts, I am adept at tracing their roots back to earlier periods, including medieval times, while also recognizing their influence on the present. I navigate confidently through both the past and the present. This is greatly facilitated by my proficiency in five languages (Hungarian, English, Italian, German, Spanish) and my ability to read in eight languages (Latin, Portuguese, French). My multilingualism is complemented by years spent living in Australia and England, as well as an extended residency in Italy (Rome, Bolzano), all of which have made a multicultural and multilingual environment second nature to me. These experiences equip me to engage with diverse perspectives and contribute meaningfully to Yale’s global approach. Furthermore, I deeply share the values that the primary mission of a university is to provide young, curious minds with the knowledge necessary to understand the world and to help them establish their own intellectual independence. I believe I can set an example of the many ways intellectual life can be shaped – one that is independent in its values and morals, but never devoid of a sense of responsibility toward the community and others. Additionally, I am hopeful of increasing the number of future Fulbright scholarship winners from Yale. My insight into the requirements and expectations of prestigious European universities will contribute to this effort. Having accomplished what I set out to do in my current setting, I am preparing to close this chapter of my life. I am now searching for a place where the knowledge I have acquired, along with the perspective and vision I have developed through my life journey across many countries and cultures, can truly add value, or at least be useful, as a committed educator and professional. This would benefit not only the next generation but also my future colleagues, coworkers, and the community in which I will live. For this reason, I am eager to contribute my resources to the educational and research efforts of an institution like Yale University, where I would gladly share my strengths and attention between the Jackson School of Global Affairs and the Faculty of Arts and Sciences’ Department of History. In doing so, I hope to once again find an intellectual home, much like the one I experienced during my Fulbright scholarship. Thank you for considering my application. I am enthusiastic about the possibility of joining Yale and contributing to its distinguished tradition of excellence in history education. Sincerely,