Mozartgirl53

A) I LOVE this gif! Just for its sheer beauty. It kinda reminds me of this forum right now, LOL! C'mon everybody, lets make some noise on here and encourage those who haven't heard yet (I can't imagine not knowing by now; I'd be certifiable by now!)!! And let's root for our alternates!!! :-)

I think you're probably right, Nella. (And thanks for the encouragement Olioliwoo!) Half of my stay will be in Zambia's capital, Lusaka, which is more or less a fairly modern city. The other half will be my stay in a Chewa Village; however, there is a large Catholic hospital very near the village. They usually have British medical interns there. I learned on my last trip that in the UK, medical interns must do a year of charity work in a third world country, which I think is awesome! All services there are free, also. Arthritis is not a life-threatening condition, but if something really bad happened, I am also an hour away (by plane) from Johannesburg, which has world class medical facilities. I'm sure the state department knows all that, but I'm thinking I should mention it just to bring it to their attention? I had to sign some extra waivers when I went the first time with the UW, so that is what is making me a bit nervous.

Hi Nella, Do you (or does anyone here) know what sorts of things could be considered "problematic" on the medical form? I'm not trying to pry into your personal medical history, I'm just wondering in very general terms what kinds of things could raise a flag for them? I'm thinking like you-- I'm thinking I should write a separate cover letter explaining my medical history and also emphasizing I've been to the places I'll be staying in Zambia twice, once completely on my own, and everything was fine. Should I also write that my primary care doctor has been my doc for three years now and he fully supports my going? I'm not sick-- I have rheumatoid arthritis and I use a walker and I take meds to combat the arthritis. Do you think this could be problematic for the State Department? I would think (hope) they couldn't turn me down because I have a disability, but I feel like I should get out in front of that now?

Hi Kj002, that is such a bummer! Why was it cancelled? And for two years? I hope they can place you somewhere else! Is your project something that could be carried out in another country?

Wow, Hina, that's great! Have you read "Poverty Capital" by Ananya Roy? It's an interesting perspective on Grameen Bank and microcapital. Your current job sounds very interesting, too, and I'm so glad you can do that while looking to get back into international development. And it sounds like you've found the perfect grad school! With that dual degree you will be unstoppable! It makes me so glad, speaking as the "old person" in this forum, to see so many young women advocating for women around the world who don't have a voice, or who do not know yet they can use their voice. Hina, I wish you all good things in this world, and I know you'll make it to Bangladesh soon!

Hi japaniia, from the award letter: "Please make an appoint with a physician as soon as possible; the Medical Form is due within six weeks of this date."

LOL! Go Argentina!!! Monday is your day; I can feel it! :-)

HUMA! NO! Oh rats. I'm sorry you didn't get it. :-( Fulbright will shine a little less brightly for you not being a part of it this year. I do understand, "I am incredibly sad." -- I get that. And I understand how hard it is to tell a bunch of people bad news when they are all rooting for you. However, they will rise to the occasion and embrace you. Don't be afraid to talk about it; don't be afraid to feel those sad feelings. It sounds like you already have a plan B, which is great! I very much hope you get to go to Tajikistan at some point, because your project is great and the women would really benefit. Good luck whichever direction you decide to go--- you'll be fabulous, I promise!

Noooooooooooooo! Oh Rachelrushing!! I'm so very sorry! I'm hoping with all fingers and all toes crossed, sirskipsalot and Rachelrushing, that both of you end up going! People do change their minds, and things come up too. Fulbright would not keep an alternate list if there were never a need for it. So here's hoping a couple of people get fabulous job offers and can't go! Rachelrushing, you are a good person. Please remember it's not a rejection of YOU, it's just that they can't fund everyone's projects. But I know, whatever you decide to do in the future, you will be great! :-)

Awwww shoot! sirskipsalot, I'm so sorry! I was really hoping you'd get it. I am guessing right now you feel like you've been punched in the gut; I've been there before and so has just about everybody in this forum. I know this may sound trite, but I truly think when we stumble (and we all do!) it is how you get back up that shows your true inner character. I have a feeling you have a ton of character, just by what you revealed in your post, quoted above. Know that it's OK to be sad, mad, anxious, whatever... don't be afraid to sit with those feelings and actually feel them. And I think starting the job search will be therapeutic for you. While I am 100% pulling for your (A) to turn into a (P), I also think moving ahead with other plans is wise. I'm just really bummed for you, because you've definitely got "the right stuff." :-)

Raymondnorth: "Anyways, I just wanted to let you know that I too was rooting for you, and will continue to do so for 2015-16. I'm gonna back off from Fulbright for a few years while I get my feet set at Indiana, but I should be ready to go back to the drawing boards for 2016-17. Best wishes, stay strong everyone." Hey Raymondnorth, sounds like you've been through it. I'm so sorry about your friend. I lost someone a few months ago, the woman who ran the little coffee bistro in our building at school. One day she had a cold; a few days later her sister took her to the ER, and she died that night--pneumonia. Margie was such a wonderful, caring person-- she & her husband both went to Gonzaga and their three sons are there now. It's hard to fathom that someone can be fine one day and dead the next, especially here in the U.S. The school changed the name of the bistro to "Margie's Cafe." That was nice. It sounds like you have a great set-up at Indiana! In a couple of years, I bet you'll have a new insight and perspective when you apply again. And I wish you all the luck in the world! :-)

Thanks for reminding us of this GnosisExchange. I can't fathom all the pieces that need to fall into place for Fulbright to happen every year and in more than 155 countries! The regional managers and everyone associated with Fulbright do extraordinary things to make this all work! And we all know this year is different. The government shutdown, the sequester, situations in Crimea, Ukraine, Russia and other world hot spots-- this year is unlike previous years. And yet, they continue to carry on. I think we're pretty lucky there even is a Fulbright Program this year!

Congrats on your (A) to (P)! That is so great! Your job sounds horrible, lol. The things we do to finance our educations... Hang in there a little while longer!

C'mon Venezuela!

Hina, you must be a beautiful person; I picture you as having an old soul, a gentle soul. I'm so sorry you got the (NS). But I love your attitude! Sometimes it's great to just stay put for a time and it sounds like that is what's right for you right now. What kind of grad schools are you looking at? I'm glad you're going to apply again next cycle! I'll be rooting for you all the way!

Good quote, Huma! The accident & sickness insurance provided by the Department of State just covers you getting sick or in an accident while you are away. If you get sick, you have to pay out of pocket and then they reimburse you, so I would advise everyone to have several hundred dollars set aside just in case. If there's an accident they cover costs, but I'm not sure if that is a reimbursement program or not. They also provide if you need to be airlifted out of the country for medical reasons; I would guess that applies more to so-called third world countries. They DON'T provide wellness care of the following of any chronic conditions. They don't cover prescription medications. I think it was back around page 178 or thereabouts that there was a discussion of travel insurance. I went with HTH before and had no problem getting reimbursed for the doctor visit when I did indeed get sick. But that's just one experience. I think some people said GeoBlue was also good. If you google "travel health insurance" you'll get millions of results.

Boooo! We need tomorrow to be a BIG DAY FOR NOTIFICATIONS!!! Central Asia, Venezuela, Eurasia... who else?

Thanks Rachelrushing! Actually I had not seen that yet, so I really appreciate you bringing it to my attention. Next week I'm going to do a major scholarship search and see what turns up. I'm also thinking of trying to raise some angel money privately, such as GoFundMe or one of those...they charge a LOT for their services, so I need to compare them all carefully. This fall I am going to apply for dissertation fellowships, so that hopefully when I return from Zambia I can take a year to write my dissertation without having to support myself with GA work. Anyone else looking into this?

Hi traveler_5563, you're safe. I got my email, which began, "We have been informed you are the recipient of a Fulbright grant to SubSaharan Africa..." and gave info about the mandatory info session in June. But the letter also said, "If you are a selected candidate, you will receive a formal invitation later this spring..." The funny thing is I received this email almost 30 minutes before I got the actual award email! (I didn't see either until later in the afternoon due to a nap.) these are obviously form letters that could use a little editing.

Huma and Hina, aaaaaccccckkkk! There are still a few hours left today... remember that some people (like me and I think GE too) have gotten our notifications in the evening; I think up to 8:30 PM EDT. This waiting must be so intense! Hang in there everybody!

Thanks Hina! Yeah, I think at this point probably all the decisions have been made for everyone. It's all in the hands of the State Department now. I just wish for your sake they would notify everyone today!!

As usual, I totally agree with GnosisExchange. I'm really glad you went to the seminar and that you have a game plan. It sounds like a great way to proceed. I still really hope you get to go, but if not, I will cheer you all the way next year! Which kinda means now, doesn't it? Like you said, get a jump on it now, before summer comes upon you. You are an amazing woman; don't forget that!

<closed eyes, sitting arms outstretched> I wish, I wish, I wish-- C'mon notifications. --- TODAY!!

Hi Hina, I agree with GnosisExchange. From what I've gleaned on this forum, it seems it is honestly what they say it is-- a way of gathering further information when they may be on the fence. I don't think you need to worry that you didn't get one-- it's as likely it's a good sign as that it's a bad one. I know-- it doesn't make the wait any easier! We're still rooting for you Hina!

Hi Donthatedontkill, CONGRATULATIONS!!! It's great to see those (A)s turn into (P)s!! Let's all root for the other waiting alternates!!!