mekkababble1

Hello. I've been living in NYC. If you have any questions about costs, finding a place to live, where to stay in the city, I can probably help you some. Feel free to PM me.

Please do! I really hope I'm wrong. It's supremely easy to border hop and I've been invited to stay with friends and already have it in my head to visit some places in the region once my grant's over...

I really wouldn't bet on it. They probably disallow additional travel because it's a public program paid for (at the risk of sounding cliche) by taxes. So they: 1. Want to make sure people are doing what they're put there for. If anyone gets the impression Fulbright sponsors people for vacations abroad, it could jeopardize the whole program. 2. It's a liability thing- they give people grants to go to potentially unstable parts of the world and if one person ends up hurt/missing after grant ends because they left their host country but didn't return to the United States, Fulbright could in theory be held partially responsible. My guess is that's the same reason we need permission to leave the host country at all. There could be exceptions, but I'd guess it's for completion of a grantee's project. Even then, that may not allow them international travel. No idea if I'm right, but these are my best guesses.

Heck, if you'd like I'll take a peak at your proposal and see what advice I can offer.

My advice (thought I'm not an Africa person) is that if you've been selected as a finalist twice and still not selected using your current proposal, it's time to run some tweaks. If you're really passionate about your idea, certainly don't abandon it and switch your topic entirely (especially if you're venturing into an area that's not your expertise). I would say do the following: 1. Reassess your proposal and look what literature is out there about what you hope to accomplish and find what gaps exist. Kenya already has multiple successful conservation programs in place and many, many people who want to save elephants. What will your project add to enhance what they have? Or what new angle can you bring? 2. Reapply to a country with less successful conversation programs using your same application. As I'm sure you know, some countries (Zimbabwe comes to mind) where hunting is stressed more than conservation or conservation isn't quite as well developed. So kind of the opposite of what you said.

Newly minted Georgia grantee. I'm crossing my fingers for those of you who are still waiting to hear from your countries....

Oh... I'm just about ready to take up smoking...

I feel part of this will depend on the flexibility on the other program more than anything. As noted above, I don't think e-mailing Fulbright and asking for a notification timeline will get you too far. Having worked for government before, best we were able to tell people before final approval came out for anything was 'We're working on it and will get back to you soon. Please be patient.' The decision is made wether you're accepted or not, so it's doubtful they'd rescind it based on one email so no worries there. It sounds like you still have about seven days' leeway, so my advice (based solely on what you typed above and knowing nothing about the programs you're applying to) is to wait until the middle of next week and see if Fulbright sends you a decision and then email your other program and ask for an extension. But for the time being, it's already the weekend in SSA and nothing will be accomplished by asking anything today. Otherwise, hang back and join the remainder of us to play the waiting game.

IIE ought to put a warning label on the application so people understand the risks. Warning: Applying for a Fulbright grant may cause the following side-effects: sweating, sleepless nights, panic attacks, heart explosion. Be advised IIE takes no responsibility for any anxiety related trauma applicants experience while we weed you all out.

I like this game! I've been enamored with all things former Soviet Union since I was 18. I took Russian throughout my undergrad and did my study abroad in Russia. I've become a connoisseur in culture around the Soviet Union and can drink up information on it by the gallon. For many, many years I made a point to learn very little about the Caucasus because I knew once I started, it would basically consume my life (I was right). I do nonprofit work primarily in education (I've been in charge of after school programs, helped refugees pursue their education once they come to the United States, and been a mentor for teenagers in the North Caucasus). As of now, I'm a consultant for a series of private schools in rural Kyrgyzstan (I'm helping them market and build an English language program for their kids). Fulbright seemed a good way to merge what I love (former Soviet Union) with what I'm actually good at (helping kids). That being said, the South Caucasus is just about my favorite place in the world that I've seen. I haven't been to Azerbaijan yet, but I've seen Georgia and Armenia... and Georgia just sparkles. I love everything about it- music, mountains, wine. Just google the pictures and you'll agree. And try the food. To top it off, it's small and quiet and mom doesn't object to me being there (anymore).

Sums it up fairly well. I'm basically at the point I don't care anymore. I'm acting like I didn't get it (interviewing for jobs, waiting to hear back from other fellowships, etc). Seems easiest that way. This way, if I get rejected I can tell myself that I only wanted a Fulbright on principle anyways That being said, congrats to you folks who have been lucky enough to find out your status. Even if you weren't selected, you can still put finalist on your resume and at the very least, you're not playing the waiting game anymore.

I'm that other Georgia person you're looking for. My best guess (based on previous notification dates) is sometime early-mid April. It's probably going to be at the same time as the rest of the former Western Soviet Union.

whaynes2, on 19 Mar 2015 - 4:36 PM, said: Why not? They've already made their choices anyways. It's not like they'll rescind an offer because someone asked this question. And I figure they're sympathetic to the fact there are a number of people waiting to make plans based on what they have to say. And it's not like you're asking them to tell you your results early.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMyCa35_mOg&spfreload=10 Sing this. It helps. "The waiting is the hardest part Every day see one more card. You take it on faith, you take it to the heart. The waiting is the hardest part."

I think I might be the other Georgia person you're looking for. I'm pretty stoked to even be a finalist and even moreso since I'm not the only one marking the days on my calendar...