lunita

O no!!! You poor thing, that definitely sounds like a bad week! I hope you relax this weekend, tgif!

When the news finally comes, I will just be shocked that it came at all.

Me too, nfnsprite, me too.

Only 16 more days before we hear from Switzerland, or get another email letting us know it will be another 30 days :-( .

If you're bored, and waiting, check out this opportunity: http://millennialtrain.co

Still waiting...I imagined inventing a dialogue of the arguments they are having over who to pick, I imagined that they are each very passionately fighting for those of us on this board to win the scholarships, and that they've argued all day and night for the last 4 months. Obviously the discussions have gotten very involved by this point, and there is a power struggle between the French and the German counties, with the French Swiss arguing that as the Swiss German side already has a majority of the country, in compensation the French should be honored with more grantees, but then the German and the French ganged up on the Italian side, and made sure that they got even few grantees (with apologies to anyone who applied to an Italian province). And the Romansch are just standing on the sidelines, shaking their heads, in utter dismay at the behavior being presented. Shame on you, they say, Switzerland is about equilibrium, so obviously each side should get the same number, no matter the size or population. So the Romansch side with the Italians, and they both throw a coup over the French-German alliance. So then it's May, and they're back where they've started, 12 spots over 3 sections, and they're scrambling to put together their lists as they then deal with rival universitities lobbying for their affiliated candidates. Then it goes to a vote to the general population, and they declare that people will select the winners, but because of the complicated voting process, it will take two weeks to put together the vote. So, then it'll be the end of May before the winners are selected, but they will win by the will of the people, and when they arrive, everyone will know who they are.

Fulbright posted this to their facebook page the other day: http://www.pitzer.edu/academics/fellowships/fulbright_blogs.asp

I went to IIT for my Master's. I live in the Bridgeport neighborhood.

That's what I'm thinking. The most I remember from my research is that losing weight would not be easy in Switzerland. They do eat pretty hardy foods, lots of dairy, beef, etc. Another strange thing about the Swiss is that they turn off their cars when idling at a stoplight. I thought it was weird at first, but I was also sitting on a corner outside a cafe, and getting annoyed with this paramedic truck that was just sitting there and idling while the guy went inside for a coffee, because I could smell the exhaust. I thought of the Swiss and how they turn off their cars at stop lights, and now I think it's pretty considerate to the air quality of fellow country-men. It's not the norm to expect clean and clear air in a city in America, but with summer starting, I'm missing the crisp air of the winter already.

I'm in Chicago too. It would be awesome to meet with a group of Fulbright applicants in the area. I'd love to hear about other projects, and also take my mind off of waiting.

Wow, I seriously can't believe how few notifications remain! I saw my family this weekend, and everyone was asking about it! I really hope I get it. Please, Switzerland, please. I know I will do great things for you! I'm in love with you Switzerland. Just give me a chance.

I didn't ask her that, but I did respond and thank her for the update. I also CC'd my contact in Switzerland, so that he'd be up to speed.

I got the same one today! LOL. I read the whole thing before I even realized it was a Fulbright email. End of May...hmm...I'll take the challenge Fulbright, I know you're simply testing my psychological strength. Watch me rock this month of May. I will show you a whole new level of staying busy. Bring it on!!!

Lol, no worries, these things are in your control. Made me laugh :-)

For all the norway applicants, I learned a little about Norway today, besides potatoes and beer. http://mentalfloss.com/article/49846/sir-nils-olav-norway’s-penguin-knight

I'm doubtful, just considering how segmented the program is across the multiple countries, but that is a legitimate question that you could the U.S. Fulbright committee or the country to applied to. I would ask if they offer subscriptions or discounts for online scholar databases as part of the program. You could also pose that question to a Fulbright alumni group via Facebook. Or, if you will be affiliated with a university as part of your research, look into what is offered by that university.

Great stuff! Thanks! I was thinking about buying a new iPhone 5, so thanks for the tips! I'll wait until that 5s might come out. The technical specs on the frequencies was especially useful! I also have skype, so I was thinking that if I had skype on my phone like I do now, whenever there is wifi and I don't have my computer, I could call with a Skype phone, and this would save me from using up minutes of a prepaid plan. I definately won't have the luxury to pay for an unlimited plan anymore! O well.

Has anybody thought about what they're going to do about their cell phone service while abroad? I hope to go to Switzerland, and I'm just wondering whether I would be able to use my cell phone there or not, or whether it's worth having that expense. Thoughts?

O, I thought it was a good idea when I imagined that they hunted internet trolls.

I couldn't agree more! Also, no reason to keep myself in limbo. I'm going to go ahead and make big life decisions. Then if I find out I need to change them in a month, I'll figure out how!

Ughhhhh I just want to hear back already! 4 more weeks to go is just killer.

Congratulations to all those who just found out! For the Spanish applicants, is anyone going to Granada? I studied there in 2006 :-).

They are so cute when they get mad :-)

I use it to get feedback on my pronunciation and writing. I follow the courses too, they've been great. I also bought a few lessons with a tutor through the site. I've had a few chats.

Awesome! I look forward to seeing all of you on there! Try to find me, my username is Lunita.