der Träumer
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Posts posted by der Träumer
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There is already a Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/434901306592385/
Look at that. Shame on me for not knowing.
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Long time lurker here! I want to first say that through my trolling I've concluded that this is actually the nicest group of strangers I think I've ever seen interact with each other. Especially online where I feel like all the anonymous jerks usually come out. Clearly Fulbright picked their finalists well! That being said, someone seriously needs to sit the person down who didn't flat out accept CrystalDee and give him or her a serious talking to.
Now, all cheesy stuff aside, has anyone heard anything new from USTA Austria? I'm an alternate and trying to decide what to do since sitting on my hands and playing the what-if game is driving me nuts. Also, for any past Austrian USTA alternates (for any award, really), is it at all helpful to email Jurgen and ask about position on the waiting list or reaffirm interest? Thank you in advance for any and all help!
Jurgen just sent the Principals an email last week with more information on the visa process. The Commission is sending us our Official Letter of Acceptance and the Bestätigung (this week via snail mail) needed for the application for residence visa. They want everything (application, medical, background check, birth certificate with apostille) filled out and submitted to an Austrian embassy or honorary consulate by July first. Getting everything is time consuming so I am willing to bet that Alternates will be notified this week or next. If you get bumped up--which I'm fairly confident you will--let's join the bandwagon and set up a Facebook group for Austria USTA!
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So I have a question for any remaining Alternates out there (preferrably ones who got their alternate email a week or two ago, if there are any remaining on the forum.) It's a mystery that's been bugging me for a year now, but I didn't closely follow last year's thread so here it goes.
Last year I was designated as an alternate for Morocco. A week or two after that email, I got this email from Jermaine Jones:
"Hello,
Dr. Jim Miller, the director of the Moroccan Fulbright Commission, has requested recent photographs of all the candidates who’ve been named alternates for 2012/2013 year U.S. Student awards to that country. I think these will help him and his Commission colleagues put faces to your names and applications.
It might be best to email these to me, so that I can forward them on to Jim.
Let me know if you have any questions. (Just so you know, he didn’t give any specifications in terms of the size or quality of the photos, so I’d think that something like a passport picture would be ideal.)
Regards,
Jermaine Jones
Program Manager, Africa and the Middle East
U.S. Student Programs
Institute of International Education (IIE)
809 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017"
My first reaction was "WTF?" Because honestly, what exactly does a picture do for my application other than allow the commission to discriminate against me or other candidates? And with only 10 alternate positions for Morocco, it isn't like they have a whole boatload of alternates anyway - I would assume there would be 5-10, max., so the explanation of 'putting names to faces' seems like a very weak reason to me.
I asked my Fulbright advisor at my school about it, and she had a pretty WTF reaction too - she had never heard of it before, either. She said she would look into it, but I never heard anything back, and I didn't send in a picture. I never got alternate - I would hope that wasn't why - but I just wanted to see if anyone else on the forum had experienced or heard of something similar.
Anyone care to weigh in?
I feel like as bizarre as that is, you could have some real fun with it....Passport size photo of you with a fez on, giving them a thumbs up while holding a tagine in one arm. Perhaps a wink as well?
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This is SO TRUE! I was talking to one of my friends in Estonia about her PhD program, and she was puzzled when I asked about cost, 'cause the state pays for it. I had mentioned I was paying for my tuition and my son's. The Master's program is just under $5000 a year for international students.
I had a German friend who partied a little too hard the night before one of her finals and went in the next day, looked at the test, wrote her name down and walked out. I was in a state of disbelief when she told me it was "no big deal" because she could retake the class next semester for E50.
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Ha, I didn't even think about that. I'm sure that's true.
The only thing Europeans (and everyone else) are thinking, is how crazy we all are for paying what we do for higher education.
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This is making me feel better. Ok State has had a couple of good years for research Fulbrights. I have had several conversations with my university about including the satellite campuses more. They seem to focus only the main campus. I graduated from our Tulsa campus, but I had to travel an hour and a half each way to go info meetings and my on-campus interview. I ended up being the only person from my campus who applied.
I honestly think the only people who put stock in the Ivy League are Americans. For the most part, I don't think Europeans give three shakes where you went to school. The name recognition is there obviously, but it's definitely not an advantage.
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I really don't think so. I too am from a Midwestern university; a state school that's biggest claim to fame is that David Letterman was a student there. And I know my school has had a fair amount of Fulbright recipients. Somewhere on the Fulbright website you can find a breakdown of where all the past and present recipients have graduated from. You would be quite surprised at the ratio of people from uknown schools to those from Ivy Leagues.. I almost think that they lean more towards awarding students from more modest schools.
Agreed. I don't remember one ETA in my entire 2010-2011 cohort who attended an Ivy League. I'm sure there were a few, but not enough for me to make note of it. A lot of my friends were from small, liberal arts schools in the Pacific Northwest/Midwest.
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I don't think that there is any official cooperation or communication between the two programs (and I know people last year who were accepted to both, myself included...) as regards "who gets who" or anything like that. However it wouldn't surprise me if one (or both) countries pass on their alternates/rejected list (of those applicants who applied to both) to the other for consideration. Chances are that someone accepted for both will choose Germany based on the prestige factor etc. and Austria wouldn't want to accept someone who's going to turn them down in favor of Germany, you know?
I was accepted to both back in 2010 and ultimately chose Germany because of the"prestige factor." I reapplied to Austria this year and I'm super glad they didn't hold the former decision against me. Can't say that because I was accepted back then, that it put me higher on the list for this year...I honestly thought it would make me a less desirable candidate and was expecting alternate status at the very most. Here's to a fast decision for the rest of you guys! I'm keeping my fingers crossed (and my thumbs pressed.)
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They gave us acceptance data at our orientation in September, and for 2012-2013 there were over 300 applications for 90 new TA positions which is approximately a 30% acceptance rate (and as I'm sure you know, Austria has no finalist process--you submit your application and sit in limbo forever). Germany had 140 applicants for 411 positions for 2012-2013 (this is prior to anyone being recommended as a finalist, even), which is 34% so technically slightly less competitive than Austria. Since you've already been chosen as a finalist, your odds are even better--probably about 50% based on the assumption that twice as many are recommended as there are slots. So don't assume that a rejection from Austria = rejection from Germany. Hopefully you will get both--having a choice is nice!
Previous years (last year and presumably before that) we had an online portion of the application, but in addition had to submit hard copy of that and hard copy of resume, letter, transcript, recommendations, etc. by mail as well. Regarding some people hearing "yes" and some people hearing nothing on the USTA, I know they were having delays with some of the schools (you receive your school assignment in your acceptance) and that may be why some have heard and some have not. Among those of us currently here who applied for a second year, some heard right away and some were a few days delayed--yours may simply be further delayed. There's a lot of bureaucracy for the AAEC (Fulbright Commission) to coordinate with the Ministry of Education, the provincial schools boards, and the individual schools.
Regarding Austria USTA notification dates in general, last year they mostly came at the end of spring break (after Easter) with some people getting bumped up from alternate in the weeks following.
Good luck to all of you! Hopefully one of you will be taking my spot in a beautiful southern city
I'm very surprised USTA is keeping the rest of you guys waiting in suspense! I'm sure you will hear Monday or Tuesday. On my email they have an acceptance deadline of April 15th and I can't imagine they wouldn't give you less than two weeks to decide. Fingers crossed for you---
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Fulbright USTA to Austria!!!!!! Hip hip hurray!
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on the google doc, i saw that someone applied as an ETA to multiple countries. how does that work?
When an ETA program isn't EXACTLY a Fulbright. For Austria, Fulbright combines their ETA with a Full Grant. Their Austrian American Educational Commission counterpart, in turn, has separate program that is identical to other Fulbright ETA programs, except that it isn't one. This makes it possible for applicants with a background in German to apply to both Fulbright Germany ETA and Fulbright Austria USTA at the same time.
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Incidentally, your Fulbright stipend is also smaller than a full grant's would be. At least that's what my friend told me. If I'm wrong, I hope an ETA will correct me.
I know!!! My jaw dropped!
I am also kind of wondering about how much you are taxed. I have heard your stipund is taxed, but you have to pay it later when you file taxes, or something. That would be great to know, so you could just save it in advance. I should probably just wait to ask these questions until I get an email and I was actually accepted. but. I'm kind of bored ATM.
Cara Doble at IIE will send out information to her grant recipients regarding the filing of your stipend for tax purposes back in the U.S. It'll probably be the same for others and their contacts at IIE. At least in Germany you won't be taxed by the state because it is a "stipend" and not counted as actual income. ETA's my year got 800 euros a month. Can't say I know what Full Grant recipients got.
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Oh My god, how do you solve a problem like Maria???
Hahahahhaha. That amused me to no end.
Was that awkward? Did you hang out with the nuns?(Lol, I doubt it, but I had to ask!) I mean, I feel like it might be weird having guests of any sort over. 200 euro a month sounds like a steal though. Did the apartment have a kitchen and what not?
The nuns had their own section of the convent, so I rarely saw them except for laundry day. They rented out some spare apartments in a different part of the building for visiting teachers and international college students. It was a really great set up. Fully furnished with my own bathroom. Communal kitchen. NO DEPOSIT. That was a lifesaver. It was only awkward when I had to explain to a priest that the man dressed up as a politically incorrect Mexican (full sombrero, mustache) was actually my brother visiting for Faschings and not some guy I picked up off the street.
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So, it sounds like there is at least one current German ETA, so I have a question for you. I'm hoping you are in contact with other ETAs and might be able to answer this. I have heard that the school where an ETA is placed will sometimes help with finding housing. Is that common?
Also, in your experience, has the monthly stipund seemed to cover most of your expenses, or have you had to use your own savings?
THanks!
Yep. That's fairly common. I actually worked at a former Catholic boarding school run by a religious order. They offered me an apartment in their convent (yes you read that correctly) for 200 euro a month. It was a terrific situation. Frau Maria even did my laundry every Wednesday at 8am. It was a little embarrasing when I had to hand over my "unmentionables."
I actually had NO contact with my school prior to orientation, so the Kommission does a fantastic job of making sure you're settled before you head out of Koeln.
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If the school agrees, you can extend for another year. Although, if I've heard correctly, I believe certain support (such as airfare) is not covered for the second year.
Airfare back home is still covered. Unfortunately, as a second year participant, any Fulbright sponsored activities--like the annual conference in Berlin--are not free. You're required to pay for your transportation to and from and cover your own hotel and conference fees. Still, it seems like a pretty good compromise to me!
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How long can you extend your ETA? Isn't it just a few months?
At least for Germany you can extend another year. You need to have solid references and it's ultimately up to the flexibility of Kommission's budget. Three of my friends stayed on back in 2011.
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Did any Germany ETA applicants also apply to Austria's USTA program?
I applied to both (and got both) back in 2010. It's a tough decision because Austria is so great at letting you know EXACTLY where you'll be living and at what schools you'll be teaching. Germany leaves you in the dark till May-ish by just telling you your assigned state when you get your congratulatory email. I did my Germany ETA and now reapplied for Austria USTA this year, after kicking myself for not extending. The job market is just terrible!! Good luck to you!
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Back in the hunt this year kids! Trying to travel/academically dodge my way out of this awful job market. Wishing everyone luck and sending positive vibes out over the net--
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Meh, I opened a fortune cookie last week that said "confidence is the hinge on the door to success" so I've decided to milk that for what it's worth.
Anyway, luckily enough for you, you have already gone through the interview gauntlet and so have some fresh ideas floating around in your head. It would be nice to get that email--no matter the decision--any day now!
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That's too bad PrattlAFF-- but I'm absolutely SURE that we'll meet in D.C. for Pickering interviews.
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I didn't wait for an email, but I did just check my AppYourself website and decisions for the 16th are available. Rejected, but I am very please to report that the online Magic 8 Ball is currently 3/3 in predictions! Silver lining!
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Waiting.....still waiting. Is it late March/early April yet?
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Waitlisted at Elliott.
Beyond the initial "....uhhuh, okay." I am actually stoked that my Magic 8 Ball predictions are 2/2 right now!
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Technically yes, but I was MGHD not MSFS. I haven't heard of anyone getting word for the MSFS yet - I think they let people know a little later (actually "mid-March").
Both SFS and Elliott (and even Pickering) are killing me right now....after that first letter from SIS I've become addicted to knowing and as a result of that, extremely useless at work. For my sanity and my employer's sake RELEASE THE LETTERS ALREADY!!
Fulbright 2013-2014
in The Bank
Posted · Edited by der Träumer
I had a friend who applied for both Germany ETA and Austria USTA programs back in 2010. She lived in Munich for 5 years when she was in middle and high school and spent her sophomore year abroad in Austria. I thought she would be a brilliant choice for Fulbright given her volunteer teaching background and competency (but not command) of the German language. She ended up getting rejected after the second round for Germany and was an alternate-turned-principal for Austria. I can’t say that this is an indication of what preferences the panels have for applicants who have spent an extended period of time in their requested country, but there it is. There was also a grant recipient my year who had never been out of the U.S. let alone to Germany.