jadesg1

YOU'RE NOT ALONE Clearly I am an incredibly dramatic texter when it comes to my mom, haha.

THIS IS A GREAT IDEA. I'm doing this. I can't handle the anxiety and need another barrier between me and the decision. hahaha.

Okay well, I was getting to be in a good place but now with all of these notifications I'm losing my mind all over again.

Hi there, I've been trying to post less on this forum because I feel like I'm on here way too much (read: I KNOW I'm on here way too much) but I love this question! My program (Jordan ETA) doesn't have a language requirement per se, but it does recommend one year of Arabic study. I took a year of Arabic at my University and studied abroad in Morocco during undergrad, as well as interned in Palestine for about three months immediately following graduation. I know that this is probably fairly cliche, but linguistic and cultural immersion is truly the best way to become proficient in a foreign language. This has also been backed up far-and-wide by linguistic scholars (my own major was Linguistics in college). This doesn't necessarily mean you need to leave the country to work on your language, depending on circumstances - although I'd always recommend finding a way to swing a stint outside of the US. For example, if Spanish is your target language, finding a nonprofit to volunteer with that serves immigrants might be a way to practice as you simultaneously take lessons/classes. After taking a year of college Spanish in high school, I found it very beneficial to practice the language in my AmeriCorps role during my gap year as many of my students were Spanish-speaking ELL kids. Further, online resources such as ConversationExchange.com are incredibly helpful if you're willing to be consistent with it. I met one of my great friends through this, and he visited me in Seattle last year. I'll also be going to Colombia relatively soon to see him, as well! You never know what will happen. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Maybe the entire committee's on strike.

I second this. I made my friend who got a grant last year forward me his acceptance so I'd know what it looks like... hahaha. The format "Fulbright Application Status (P)" is what you want.

Oh good, I was needing something else to obsessively pore over each night instead of neurotically reading my own Fulbright essays and the country page three separate times before bed.

I personally have two bottles of scotch under my bed... so maybe I'll make my own happy/sad box soon as well. TMI? Anyway, for everyone anxious that it's been TWO WHOLE DAYS with no updates... As someone who went through this process last year I can assure you that it doesn't really mean anything in either direction. My friends who received ETA and research Fulbrights last year heard as late as the end of April, but none earlier than the third week of March or so. We have to keep in mind that these applications and approvals have to go through A LOT of hands before the final offers can be made. Everyone who has sat on a committee or honestly been in a regular ol' office meeting knows how much chatter goes on before any action is actually taken, haha. So, while the website might reflect Fulbright's IDEAL timeline it doesn't necessarily mean that the dates are very concrete. Honestly, I will be really surprised (pleasantly so!) if anyone on this forum hears by the end of this week. Things will likely begin to trickle in next week, with a sharp increase in notifications in the third and fourth weeks of March. Good luck to everyone! Let's all try to relax (as much as we can, at least).

At this point, me. Pls help.

Dear Diary, It is now day two of the supposed "Fulbright Final Notification" period... I haven't slept well in two weeks. Waiting... *jeopardy music begins playing*

Yeah, I don't know why I did this to myself. It feels like emotional abuse. Good luck! Hopefully we hear sooner rather than later.

I applied for the same grant last year as an ETA in Jordan, and we heard on March 26th. I speculate it will be somewhat earlier, around the 16th/17th. WHICH MEANS I ONLY HAVE AROUND THREE WEEKS BEFORE I KNOW. SOS. ... I am actually losing my mind.

Are there any active members on this forum who are also applying for the MENA region? I'd love to connect!

I think you could be making that up but because I am also anxious I'm going to pretend that it's real and use it as a sliver of hope.

Okay... I know it's still February but I'm gonna need our decisions to roll in because I am losing it...

I'm in the same boat, and I ended up just sending official transcripts from all institutions just to be safe as my BA transcript doesn't necessarily reflect the classes that were transferred in from my dual-enrollment program in high school... Having worked in a similar office, if they don't need the transcript they'll just shred it - but it's always best to be thorough and provide them the information if it ends up being necessary.

Hi all! So this is exciting. It's my second year applying for an ETA grant to Jordan, and I was recommended as a finalist last year as well as for this application cycle! I'm feeling more confident about the process this year considering that since my last app I conducted research in Morocco, taught a university seminar, and taught English in Palestine for three months! Any other MidEast applicants? I'm excited and nervous all at the same time, all over again! Good luck everyone!