aquarialily

HI KAREN! It's Karissa lol. I also came by to see if any of the Taiwan grantees were posted! I'm currently a research fellow in Taipei and my grant actually doesn't end until October so I hope to meet some of the research fellows if you're on here!

Hi Brian, I just received a research student award for this year (I'm taking a later departure date so I'm leaving in a few months). I meant to peek in on last year's forum, ended up here instead, started nostalgically thinking about how awful this process was.... Anyway, I was told by people (not just my advisor but also folks who had previously received Fulbrights) that for the research grants, it's really important to be able to articulate WHY you have to be in THAT particular country in order to do your research. I think even if a lot of their resources there are the same as here, you might want to do some research and see if there's something specific about the climate there or specific studies they've done or if there are specific research libraries or resources that are unique to Spain that you can link into your proposal somehow.. Too many people would love to go somewhere else just to go so to differentiate yourself you have to be able to show why it's imperative to be in that country. I know that's not what you want to hear -- that part stressed me out a lot, tbh. But it will make your application a lot stronger if you can demonstrate that. Good luck!

So it seems like we CAN travel? Maybe the stipulation is more like, we're not allowed to stay on on our long-stay visas without permission? I was told that basically, since the plane tickets expire a year from our flight out. So if I fly out to Taiwan on Sept 1 2015, I have until Aug 31 2016 to fly back. Since it's a 10 month grant, then supposedly if my grant term ends on June 30th, I could travel around Asia all I want to visit friends and family as long as I return to Taiwan to take my flight back to the US as ticketed. Anything beyond would be forfeited. I asked if I could go to other areas of Asia to visit family, and they didn't seem to think it was a problem. Although, also, Taiwan seems to have a thing where even though the grant period ends in 10 months, I am allowed to stay an extra month on my visa, as long as I pay my own expenses (no more grant money).

Weird -- I'm definitely getting confused. I told my contact that I was hoping to travel around Asia after my grant ended and if there was any flexibility on this (I have family in other areas of Asia) and he said it should be no problem and to clarify with the person making travel arrangements. So I'm waiting to hear back from her on what exactly the terms are on this. Will keep you all posted.

My partner and I will be doing long-distance. We already use Skype to chat a lot (he lives 2 hours from me) but he's planning to save his airline miles to come visit me closer to the end of the grant time (so that I will know where to go!). We've been dating awhile so while I'm sure it will be challenging, I'm not too nervous.

Finally got my grant letter and terms of conditions etc. for Taiwan research. Geez. So much info. I'm a little bummed that it seems like we can't stay abroad to travel after the length of the grant though. Anyone know if there are exceptions to this rule? Why is this the case?

i couldn't figure out how to delete and resubmit! i wanted to but it didn't seem like i could... haven't heard anything yet, hopefully it will be ok?

haven't heard a thing! i'm wondering if there's any leeway to push off the start date but i dont want to ask until i know what the terms are...

Ok I stupidly forgot that I wasn't supposed to submit the first page of the medical exam form. GAH! They won't rescind their offer over that stupidity, will they??

Another question: anyone know what the participant release form is about? How will they be using our names/likenesses/words? I'm most concerned about "words/written materials" -- and what that refers to, since I'm a writer. Are they talking about our application materials? Just curious if you guys might know. I emailed an IIE rep but no one has responded yet.

I actually just emailed my region's Fulbright program advisor. And he said to just put "N/A". It's still confusing to me -- he said I would just be covered by Taiwan's national program while I'm there, so I guess I don't have to get a separate medical insurance? I looked at the options on the website and I was totally overwhelmed by what to go for but I don't want to be paying several hundred a month for a full ACA plan when I won't be using it!

Okay I have a question for grantees who are filling out forms. In terms of medical insurance, I think I remember reading somewhere that we are strongly encouraged to hold onto our own health insurance as their insurance will not cover us if we leave our host country (that and I suppose ACA requires it?). My insurance is currently provided by my employer, so once I leave my job I won't have insurance. But the medical form asks for information on our health carrier that we expect to use during our Fulbright. Are any of you in this boat? How have you guys been filling this out?

I just wanted to chime in really quick and just say -- I'm almost 11 years out of my undergrad (I went to grad school four years after undergrad and am now 3 years out of grad school). I was still eligible for the student Fulbright (and I'm 33!) so it's possible to revisit even after more time has gone by. It sounds like you are so close! But I wonder if you might also benefit from taking a break and perhaps doing some more stuff to boost your application so that when you come back to it on your 4th try you'll knock it out of the park? It sounds like your country was super competitive, which does make it difficult -- but I wouldn't give up if you really have your heart set on it!

oh wait this was the thread! i hope to get to know both of you!

hello! lurking (ish) but wanted to say I received a research grant for taiwan. I think i saw someone else who did as well? i hope to meet some of you!