hobakie

It depends on what you are comfortable with. Some of my classmates only learned in traditional so our exams and textbooks had both or were altered to fit their needs. Its not that hard to delay your flight many people in my program did so, the problem you may run into is your visa tho. Homework was about 4+ hours most of it was prepping for the next class though since you learn one new lesson per 1-2 days so you'd have to prep vocab and grammar ahead of time and then go over it thoroughly in class otherwise you'd fall behind. Exams were every other Friday.

Did yall have host fam's in Tainan. Yea our stipend was about 800? maybe a little less for Dalian but even that was alot because host families provide 2 meals a day (according to the rules) but my host aunt fed me hourly even when I was full. transportation was unnecessary because I lived 5 min. from the school and I occasionally went to the mall but everything was within walking distance. But from what I understood sometimes it does affect decisions, I know for sure previously doing the program affects decisions since they want to give others a chance (I asked during my year since I knew I wanted to reapply) but as a former recipient to make it this far is still pretty good. What is your research project on for Fulbright? Also for CLEA which program did you choose? I chose CET Harbin special summer term, and then I would start the grant that October which would be perfect. I am grateful for CLS alternate ,but the dates are really Early so I won't have any time to relax at home after graduating.

Its different for every site and dependent on of you have a host family or not.

I'm a bit confused? Why aren't you able to do both? From what I know all CLS programs do not run past august, so you'd just be able to continue the program at the same uni if you get boren. Or are you saying if you get boren then you'd want to do the summer internship? I believe by April they have already started the visa process as well as host family process so there could be penalties ,but I'm not positive. Check with your program officer and ask when is the latest to accept or decline other than March 15th. They are used to people juggling boren and CLS all the time so it wouldn't be a problem of you asked.

You only have 1 free weekend on the program. Every other weekend besides that one it dedicated to mandatory outings with the group. Classes also run from about 8:30-4pm plus time with language partners and whatever time your host family requires that you come home by.

Congratulations on acceptance @UnawareInGeneral and alternate @calpal! I'm an alternate for advanced chinese. It was expected though since I previously did the program and am in the middle of applying for another state department fellowship (fulbright) But this isn't exactly how it works. There isn't a ranking behind alternates its mostly up to the program site you are in. If people in your site drop, you may or may not be offered a spot simple as that. They aren't filling any quotas or replacing with similiar people. In fact that wouldn't make since because they number of advanced learners is always smaller than the beginning and that's just because more beginners apply and get selected! If a beginner in your program site dropped, an advanced person for that site can be bumped up and vice versa. From what I know for certain languages the chances of getting bumped up are high. These are usually the ones that have multiple program sites. For language where there is only one site however it seems more iffy because the people who get it are sure they want it.

? Its not just the program, the entire state department is understaffed. Many people quit because of the new administration so it's understandable that there are major delays. That and from what I understand they are just being held kind of in a limbo because there are too many major changes going on without an actual plan for the repercussions. Its sad honestly, I hope these programs continue to get funded, more than ever we need to strengthen ties with foreign countries who are just as unsure about our administration as we are. But that's a completely different conversation?

Usually if it's within the first 1 to 2 weeks of accepting you can. Over that would be a hassle for them. I have a feeling this week may be the week just because any longer would be almost detrimental at this point since they have to start preparing visa paperwork and enrollment into the universities for the summer. For some countries I know the process is extensive and long (China?) Ask if you can get a few days extension. Also if you do plan on declining and want to apply again in the future I would just write a short but nice letter/email stating you are appreciative of the opportunity ,but CLS is more in line with your goals however you do look forward to applying again in the future etc etc. Something to that extent.

I was told (by former fulbrighters) that there are opportunities to request funding for your research projects in addition to the stipend they give you. Other than that the stipends for Europe from what I know have always been small ,but people have survived before. I don't think anyone does the Fulbright for the money or to live incredibly comfortably during their year however just about everyone seems to enjoy it. If you are really worried email some former fulbrighters for your country and ask about the stipend and what they did housing wise etc. They are your best source of information atm.

China is late April?

Yeah I believe there may be a delay for Fulbright as well. For CLS another state department run program we were told another 2 weeks which is the latest in the programs history (if it really is two weeks later). Typically we would have heard back last week. I would think if they are behind then Fulbright would be no different, but its just my guess.

For the transcripts have they already notified applicants whether or not they received them? If I haven't heard back about a transcript yet, is it safe to assume I do not need to turn anything in again?

Look at the spreadsheet.

I don't have the accepted students portal this year since I received it the year before.

I got it at 2:48pm

ive looked back at my notification from 2015 and it was thursday feb. 26th so I would guess today or tomorrow if they want to stick with the late feb deadline.

I never really understood how FLAS worked. Can you apply to FLAS programs even if you are not enrolled in that uni? For whole the programs in my school focuses on south asian languages but I am focused on east asian languages.....

hmmmm that's interesting. I always thought the questions were aimed towards people who have never been abroad before not really those who have never experienced the world. I think alot of applicants assume that because they have been around the block and experienced many things that they automatically can just copy and paste those experiences to life in another country. It is hard and not like anything I've ever experienced, it humbles you real quick and I think they are just trying to see whether or not you realize that. But I can understand your POV as well. Didn't realize Guangzhou was also bad in terms of the English thing, should have figured though since people flock there for business purposes. Yeah for Blakemore I am banking on my unique experiences, STEM background, and language level which is pretty high to have only been studying it for four years,but I have backup plans for days so either way I am fine. Did you apply to ICLP yet? when I emailed I was told to wait and see if I am a finalist first before wasting 100 dollars on the nonrefundable app fee.

Oh wow you are in Texas?? I'm from there but go to school up north, small world. Anyway yeah I'm applying for CLS/Blakemore/Fulbright this year. I picked ICLP, I spent a semester at Tsinghua my junior year and while the language program was good, I am just not a fan of Beijing (healthwise and overall vibe) Its a very fast pace lifestyle and its really easy to get caught up in that English bubble so rather not go there. Also I feel you on the deathtrap thingy. The amount of times I almost got killed on the sidewalk by actual cars or people on scooters is aggravating and worrisome. Plus living accommodations are just better in Taiwan I knew a few people who did ICLP and they didn't have to know traditional for the program and overtime they became accustomed to the characters. I'm not feeling too confident about Blakemore also though, I did not realize just how competitive it was until after I submitted and looked at the previous winners. For Chinese they are all like post docs or have finished a masters. Even the FAQ says they generally don't reward to new college graduates that often but fingers crossed since my trajectory is a bit different (STEM field), I can always apply again next time tho. What makes you think being older isn't good for CLS? When I got it the first time there were many older students, one even had a kid and family.

Like federal taxes? If you go to the Fulbright website there's an entire section on it.

sure I will pm you too

I PM'd you!

China Scholarship Council but I am not positive if it is strictly year long or if they also offer summer grants. Huayu scholarship for Taiwan (monthly stipend of around 800 dollars so while it doesn't pay for the program it can help with living needs), FLAS, and there is another one whose name I cant remember right now. It is also run by the Chinese government however if you plan on going into national security or service, you should really think about receiving scholarships from the Chinese government, I heard it can make the process more difficult for applicants when they start applying for these government jobs. I don''t have too much experience with that though.

For anyone who still hasn't received a notice, email American councils with your reference ID number and they will send results. Apparently there was something wrong because they all should have been sent yesterday.

I'd just call in the morning and ask about the status. A few people are thinking it's a glitch involving whether or not an edu email was used. My primary was a edu and I didn't get one and my secondary was a yahoo email (where I got the notification) Also CLS usually announces via Twitter when they send out results and they haven't yet so that means either a) they aren't finished or b.) something went wrong technologically