Dash123

Hey all, So I was wondering if anyone knows how long you have to accept/deny a Fulbright offer once they make it to you? Obviously, the Fulbright ETA is definitely my first choice dream right now if I'm awarded the opportunity. UNFORTUNATELY there are some medical things going on in my life and with my family that might have an impact on my ability to go, though I won't know for sure until I see how things play out in the next month or two. Any thoughts on how soon they need a decision after an offer? Thanks guys, and best of luck as the time draws nearer!

I hate not having a date for when we get the final decision. It seems like Czech ETA notifications arrive around late March or early April but it's unnerving knowing it could show up randomly in my inbox at any time in the next two months or so!

Hey everyone, I'm wondering if anyone else here has a chronic disease (or even mental health issue) and is applying for a Fulbright? Aside from trying to plan how to manage it abroad if I'm selected for my ETA, I'm wondering if there will be any stage in the application where medical issues could bar a person from going? I believe I'll be able to handle my condition as long as I have my medications with me, but is this something I'll have to disclose? Thanks, Dash

So devastating what is going on right now in the States and it seems many of you share the same concerns for our freedoms, healthcare access, democratic values, environment, education, and other domestic issues spiraling out of control. We can only hope that solidarity and legislation and checks/balances will lessen the severity of these blows; a country cannot be led by executive order alone. All ll I know is that those of us who are selected and have the opportunity to go abroad, we will have more responsibility perhaps than any other Fulbright who preceded us. To approach international allies with care, to distance ourselves from the hateful rhetoric with which our nation has become synonymous in foreign media, to research things that will improve quality of life and educate students for the same. Fulbright exists to increase mutual understanding and who knows how long that will last. :/

So does anyone know how the finances work for an ETA? I assume there's no flat stipend as cost of living varies according to location. But a rough estimate of budgeting, etc.?

Oh shit I'm literally so unobservant - it says it right here in the email " Note that IIE cannot confirm the receipt of individual transcripts before February 21, 2017; however, we will notify you after February 21 if we DO NOT have a required transcript. "

Is there a way of confirming receipt after sending a transcript? I have this fear they won't get it and I'll never know!

Omg I adore you and your obsessive fixations I feel like the next couple months are going to include a lot of this kind of thinking for us all haha

Yes, me too! Congrats! I hope we both get in

I feel like celebrating but I can't really tell people because I have actually won the grant - what a torturous set of trials they subject us to! I'd rather keep it to myself until I know for sure, to avoid the pity if I don't make it.

Recommended for Czech Republic ETA! Oh boy it's going to be so hard now if I don't get it in the end....congrats to all who made it past the first step, and to those who didn't: your suffering will not be prolonged <3

I'm not gonna look yet because I'm not home in the safety of my own room to cry haha - also guys don't forget to update that spreadsheet! Can someone repost that?

I am applying to the Czech Republic, haven't really started aside from a couple basic vocabulary apps to get a feel for pronunciation mostly. If I make it through this first round, I'm planning to purchase more detailed resources to self-study and go for what's free online. If I am selected in like March-June, then I'll likely invest in private tutoring. That's my plan anyway. I have no delusions of being fluent by the time I would go, but if I can at least have a good grasp on some basics, I'd feel good I think.

Anyone else kind of NOT wanna know? I sort of like living in this fantasy of pretending I've got a shot haha

So people are thinking it's gonna be tomorrow then?

@Horb - I hope they send you through. We need more Americans abroad now more than ever that don't fuel the "alt-right." If I'm chosen for my ETA, I imagine my first task will be assuring my class and colleagues that I'm not a disciple of Trump...

Re: president-elect Trump So in theory, he'd be choosing a new Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural affairs, yeah? Which could trickle down and impact which projects are approved or denied for Fulbright? (*scrambles to recall where I may not have measured my liberal tone in an application essay written in the time of Obama*)

When I found out last year that I didn't make it past the first round, I was at the dentist and accidentally saw the email on my phone. No cavities though, so... Still, hoping this is my year

@Jess2323 That's really great! I'm kind of interested in the same actually - unfortunately my interest in international relations and global politics is newer so I didn't have the chance to capitalize on the interest as an undergrad (I was an English major). I spent my junior year abroad in England and loved interacting with new people/ideologies. I'm hoping if I win the Fulbright, I'll be able to explore some international interests more. Good luck with Bulgaria - it sounds like it would be a really enriching experience!

It's my second year also! I applied for a different country last year though and I had very little knowledge of or connection to it, so I feel more confident going into it this time with the Czech Republic. Still, the odds feel stacked against us all haha - I wasn't too devastated last year because I hadn't put too much thought into it then. But this time I can tell it's going to sting if I don't get past this first round because I really worked for it. Good luck, @Dilemma1 - also where is that Spreadsheet? I haven't fully scoured these forums...

This forum is so quiet! I just found the one from last year and people were so active then. Is everyone just quietly biting their nails as we wait? To the other ETAs: Are many of you looking to go into a teaching field after your Fulbright if you win the grant? Or something related/completely different?

I'm looking at iTalki now - looks like most tutors go for about 13-22 bucks an hour? I'm sure you make a nice sum with your 12 hour/6 day work schedge but I wouldn't quantify that as "low cost" personally haha. Not with student loans and medical bills. Seems like a good tool though - I'll for sure keep it in mind for when things get closer thx

Oh, word. Good luck with Albania! Praying for a Fulbright now more than ever, esp. with our demagogue-elect soon to be sworn in. Gotta haul my gay a** out of the country asap

Yeah I know - in theory, I agree that learning the language is a commitment to something that could never be a waste. Unfortunately, it's also a BIG commitment (and privilege) for a working adult trying to pay rent, and one that isn't logical if I won't have the opportunity to go to the Czech Republic with a funded grant. For me, the language learning PROCESS isn't fun or a passion - it's the application of that language that makes it worth it. And sadly I wouldn't be able to afford a trip to central Europe on my own (at least for the next few years) to actually use the language. It's not like Spanish, which is common in the States and something that could be maintained. If I am going to the country, I'm fully prepared to put in the time and effort. But if not, I'd honestly rather be putting that sparse free time and effort into the gym, photography, spending time with my boyfriend, etc. Thanks for the Italki tip - I'll look into it! I've got a number of language learning platforms lined up, but it's a bitch and a half trying to find quality Czech resources. - Dash

Hey All, I applied for an ETA to the Czech Republic. It's one of those uncommon languages and the're no country language requirement, except that they recommend a working knowledge by the time you go. (I was torn between applying to Czechia and Spain because I know some Spanish but decided I wasn't proficient enough to be competitive in Spain and my interest in Czech culture is greater). My question is: When do you think would be an appropriate time to start learning the language? It's obviously a big commitment to learn such an obscure language and if I don't get the award I probably will need to focus on things other than hobby linguism unfortunately . Originally my plan was to start seriously studying if my application were successful and I'm notified that I've won the award. However, now I realize that if I'm notified some time in late spring, that probably wouldn't be enough time to make any significant language strides before the grant would start (again, assuming I make it that far!). But it sure would suck to start studying in January only to find out a few months later that you aren't a finalist, and you've wasted all these weeks studying something you wont be able to use! For others applying with minimal knowledge of the language, are you guys planning to start studying in January if you make it as a semi-finalist? Or wait longer? Or have you already started? (open to suggestions from anyone of course) Thanks guys and best of luck as we get closer to the first round here! - Dash