H.G. Parsa
H.G. Parsa calls the Fulbright Program a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“You make bonds with people forever,” he said.
Lucky for him, he’ll get to experience this life-altering journey for a second time, when he heads to Serbia in March 2027.
Parsa, the Barron Hilton Professor of Lodging Management at the Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management, took part in his first Fulbright experience in India in 2005. The Indian government invited him to evaluate graduate education in hospitality tourism and recommend ways to develop master’s and doctoral programs. As a part of this program, he visited 17 institutions. He submitted a white paper report, which was later implemented. In addition, he formed academic relationships that he says have continued for two decades.
“I’m a better person because I did Fulbright 20 years ago,” he said. One of his mentees in India became a dean of the business school. “I am so glad I landed the Fulbright Fellowship opportunity again this to continue my international hospitality experience.”
Parsa will spend about four months in Serbia, collaborating with the faculty and graduate studentsin the University of Kragujevac’s Hotel Management and Tourism Department . He will teach, mentor and conduct research on hospitality.
His specific research focus is on sustainability and corporate social responsibility in Serbia’s hospitality industry, as well as revenue management and pricing strategies for hotels and restaurants. He will arrive in March 2027 to time his appointment around Serbia’s upcoming World Expo in May, hoping to use that event as a framework for planning future regional food and wine festivals in the country. The event, Expo 2027, is set to welcome more than 130 countries and 6 million visitors to Belgrade, Serbia.
Parsa’s connection to Serbia largely came through students he’s taught. Parsa has worked with Serbian doctoral students over the years and was always impressed by their academic drive and commitment to research. Because of that, he visited Serbia himself, first as a visiting professor and again for personal travel.
“I have a true bond with Serbia,” Parsa said.
That relationship eventually grew into an invitation from the University of Kragujevac, the leading hospitality program in Serbia. Parsa said the hospitality program in Serbia is building its graduate education and research profile, creating an opportunity for him to draw on three decades of teaching and research experience. He thanks Leasa Weimer, DU’s director of global partnerships, and Steven Katich, honorary consul general of Serbia, for helping him through the application process.
After he completes his Fulbright next summer, Parsa hopes to bring back expanded international perspective, new teaching material, research collaborations and a better understanding of how hospitality operates in Europe.
“When I come back, I bring everything I learned and teach my students in a different way,” he said.
The professional benefits are only part of what draws Parsa back to Fulbright. Personal bonds are just as desirable, if not more so. The lessons learned go well beyond research and teaching.
“With a Fulbright Fellowship, scholars get enriched with academic knowledge, cultural awareness, and personal and professional relationships. That’s the magic and reward we look for in a Fulbright Fellowship,” he said. “We are better Americans by going abroad.”