wanderingbutnotlost
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Posts posted by wanderingbutnotlost
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I love you all! I'm feeling much better about the health coverage now. I also heard back from IIE, and was told that they mostly recommend those with pre-existing conditions to continue their U.S. based health insurance. Otherwise, it seems fine to just go with the sickness and accident coverage.
I was also worried about the fact that Fulbright doesn't cover sickness/accidents that occur outside our placement countries, but enrolling in the national health system seems like a great option. Thanks again, everyone!
Last thing - in addition to being a noob at health insurance, I'm also a grandma when it comes to social media. If there is a Facebook group out there for Germany Fulbright ETAs, let me know! It took me months to find the Peace Corps one for my country of service... -
P.S. I'm an ETA finalist for Germany. If that makes a difference.
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Would someone mind explaining what the deal with Fulbright's health insurance is? I assumed grantees would get full coverage, but upon reading the different information, it seems they call it "supplemental" insurance and advise grantees to continue their regular insurance. As a Peace Corps volunteer, my insurance will be ending soon, and I was hoping to move right into my Fulbright insurance. I've emailed someone at IIE, but I would love to hear about the experience of past Fulbrighters with health insurance. Was the coverage not enough on its own? Did you maintain the insurance you had prior to starting Fulbright?
And if some saint can explain to me how this all fits in with Obamacare and tax penalties, I will adore you forever. Help! -
ETA to Germany!!!! Another word of encouragement to anyone who didn't get what they were hoping for this year - I also didn't get an ETA the first time I applied (to South Africa). The in-between time has been an invaluable season of learning more about myself and what I want out of life. Nothing wrong with applying a second time!
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I'm right there with you! I keep thinking that surely Germany - land of timely trains and efficient people - will get the results out soon...but no luck so far
Hopefully soon!
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On 11/19/2015, 3:48:28, AVR said:
Hello Everyone,
I have recently found out that my affiliate has retired. I applied to Fulbright through my alma mater, so I contacted my advisers there, and they told me to obtain another, entirely new letter of affiliation from someone who is actually still at the university, and plans to be there through the next academic year.
I'm freaking out a bit. And, I'm wondering if it's even worth it...going through the trouble of finding another affiliate. Will they disqualify me because my affiliate retired?? Anyone else dealt with this situation before? Or, any general advice? Anything, really, would be much appreciated. Thank you!
That stinks - I can't imagine the stress!
I have only ever applied for the ETA through Fulbright, so take this with a grain of salt, but it seems to me that if you went through the effort of getting a new letter, that would only make you a stronger candidate. It would show that you are on top of things and understand the happenings at your perspective university. It it were me, I would rather have a new letter ready than be stuck empty handed when Fulbright asks about it. Or reach out to the Fulbright commission and explain the situation, as well as the actions you have taken to remedy it, before they even raise an eyebrow. Good luck! -
Hi guys need some advice,
I had my internal interview with the Fulbright committee at my university. I used a lot of their feedback to revise my statements, however, I didn't fully agree with all of their input, and for some of the other input that I did agree with, I couldn't figure out a way to change it effectively.
Basically, I didn't use all of the committee's advice when I edited and resubmitted my essay for the first time.
My question is, is this going to count against me? Will my university give me a lower rating or poorer endorsement than it would have otherwise? I'd hate to lose out on the Fulbright on my second attempt applying because I didn't take all of the committee's advice - although of course I did take a lot of it or at least a substantial amount. The committee also said I was in good shape for the Fulbright (based on my statements and interview) and the changes were for the most part minor. HELP
I faced a very similar situation on my application. My interview committee gave me some good advice, but there were also some things that they asked me to add that, quite frankly, I didn't believe belonged in a Fulbright application. (They also mentioned adding some things that were clearly already in my essays, as well as suggesting I talk about my Russian language skills. I don't speak Russian and am applying for Germany, so I'm not sure what that was about...). Anyway, while the committees know their stuff and aim to be helpful, I think it is good to remember that you know best how you want to express yourself in your application. Just as your opinions may differ from the committee members', the people in Washington and your future host country will have opinions of their own. There is no formula to this, and we are our own best advocates. I think the fact that you can weigh feedback and decide what you think fits best in your application speaks highly of your sense of self. That will show through, and I don't think you should have any remorse or worries about not accepting all the feedback. I think the committees rarely read essays again, and even if they do, I doubt they will be checking off that you took each of their suggestions.
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Hi everyone! I applied to Fulbright 2016-2017 for an ETA in Indonesia. I think that my essays were really strong and some of the best writing I've ever done-however I JUST FOUND A TYPO!!!! I went back to reread my essays on the Fulbright website (since you can access your app at any time) and I found a typo
I'm not sure how it was missed because I had several people read my statement of purpose and I myself obsessively checked it! Here's what it was:"my site mates I successfully ordered"
and of course the "and" is missing...should be "my site mates and I successfully ordered"
I am definitely freaking out right now...will this disqualify me automatically? how bad does it look?
I'm sure if the rest of the essay is compelling and interesting they won't toss it out for one typo - at least I hope not! We're all human, and I can't imagine they wouldn't be a little forgiving with this kind of thing. Your hard work will still show through!
Also, Indonesia!! I am in Indonesia right now, and wanted to wish you an extra dose of luck. This is an amazing country! -
I just submitted my application to do refugee integration in Austria! I'm dying to know if anyone else has applied to their new(ish?) community based combined grant? Apparently it's a pilot program but I don't know how popular it will be (I only found out about it accidentally), or if they will even give out any of the grants. Either way, I am relieved to be done with it! Now the waiting starts...
That sounds so cool! Does that fall under a project grant, ETA, or other? I've never heard of that one...
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That is amazing! I too realized (though too late for me) that an ETA to Germany would have been perfect for me. It is such an amazing country and language. I also have a friend in SA who I met in Germany, so I just found your connection to the two places a little uncanny
That's so cool! Maybe Germany will be my doorway to SA
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Good plan. I think Peace Corps to Fulbright - from Fulbright's point of view - is a great step. We will come in with some solid international experience and "travel smarts." There are three of us applying from Indonesia for ETAs, so we'll see how it all works out.
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What made you decide to switch countries from one cycle to the (delayed) next?
Good question
When I applied to South Africa, I was coming fresh out of undergrad and wanted to see the world! South Africa has always been on my list, so I thought, "What the heck, let's move to SA." But in reality I have a lot of background in Germany (I was an exchange student there and studied German as my minor in college). It took me joining the Peace Corps and teaching in Indonesia to realize what a great opportunity it would be to go back to Germany as an English teacher - see the classroom from the other side, so to speak. Between struggling to learn Indonesian, gaining experience in the classroom, and sweating in the tropics, Germany just became a clear choice. It was a lot more deliberate than my first choice of SA - though I still have every intention of making it there one day. -
Just submitted my application for an ETA in Germany! I was a finalist for an ETA in South Africa a couple years back, and getting that email that I didn't make it was one of the most soul crushing experiences of my life. But it also set me on a path I never could have imagined, and I wouldn't change a thing. Here's to more life experience and a second try! Good luck to you all as you put the final touches on your applications. The wait after you submit is killer, but know that you did your best and what's meant to happen will happen.
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Me! I'm a PCV in Indonesia and am applying for a Fulbright ETA in Germany. I was a Fulbright finalist before joining PC, so if you have any questions about the process/application/essays I would be happy to answer them. I know the deadline is coming up soon - wish I had seen this sooner!
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Umm....so what does it mean if there is nothing in my inbox...? SSA, why must you play with my heart?!
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Oh my goodness, I am still shaking from seeing my email! I was accepted as an ETA to spain!
Congrats! I bet this makes it well worth the wait!
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Hi all. I am new in here. The wait for subSaharan Africa is rough. I have started compiling to-do lists for either result and it is amazing how this can affect such simple life choices as: should I get my hair cut soon?
I know! I was looking at clothes the other day and couldn't decide what I needed, because it all depends on where I will be in the next year.... I don't like not being able to complete basic decision-making tasks!
So close...
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Hi everyone, I've applied for a full research grant to Kenya in support of my PhD. I am hopeful for my chances but of course one never knows! For those of you who have also applied to SSA (sub-Saharan Africa), I wrote to Jermaine Jones and received the following response two days ago (Monday April 8):
"Hello ______,
I've heard that final selections for Sub-Saharan Africa may be ready by the middle of next week. I don't have any more specific information for you than this, but can say that I should be able to notify you and the other finalists within 24 hours of my receiving them.
(And fortunately, the situation in Kenya pre- and post-election has remained stable enough for the Fulbright program to continue running there uninterrupted.)
I hope this helps."
So if you are waiting for SSA, please don't start worrying/freaking out/checking inboxes until at least next Wednesday! Has anyone else here applied to Kenya?
Thanks! This doesn't bode well for my productivity next week, but it is nice to know that I can un-glue my eyes from my inbox for at least another week.
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I'm also waiting to hear about Sub-Saharan Africa. Did you get the save the date for orientation, too? Grrrr I just want to know!!! Seems most, over the course of the past few years, hear between mid-April to the end of April. So..SOON!
I got the save the date - worst email EVER. I was talking on the phone with my mom when I saw it and I said, "STOP TALKING I GOT AN EMAIL FROM THE FULBRIGHT!!!!" We were both freaking out, but, alas, it was only a save the date...after I got over the initial shock of it not being either an acceptance or a rejection, however, it was pretty cool to find out more about the program.
Also, I realize this is completely illogical, but every morning I wake up and think, "Maybe this year they will be early...this year seems like an early year, right?"
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Are there any other applicants here for sub-Saharan Africa that I can commiserate with?
Well, I have been holding off joining (i.e. lurking), because I was afraid that I would be even more tempted to check this board every time my computer is on, but as that is already happening, I figured I might as well give in. Yes, I am also waiting on Sub-Saharan Africa for an ETA in South Africa. I didn't want to just leave you out here alone, haha.
Fulbright 2016 - 2017
in The Bank
Posted
Yay! Thanks