lulu13

Funny story...My mom calls me and tells me that I got a large manila envelope in the mail. I start freaking out and ask her what it says, and she tells me that on the outside, it says HTI. The initials of my potential host institution are BTI, so I asked her if she had her glasses on, and then asked her about 5 times more if she was sure that it said H and not a B. Thinking, maybe the printer made a mistake or something, I tell her to open it, and it's a direct mail thing. In retrospect, I guess the return address label wouldn't have their info on it anyway, it would say Fulbright (or something else?). I think for a moment, though, that my heart may have stopped. Sigh. I don't think any of us Middle East people will hear until May. Looking at last year's spreadsheet, there were a few random early ones, but the bulk of applicants were notified very late April-May. I may just sit here tapping my foot impatiently until then.

If anyone has questions about UM or Ann Arbor, I'd be happy to answer. I did my BA and first MA here, and now I work at the university.

apple orchard

Alright guys, I don't know who keeps doing it, but Bahrain, while part of "Eurasia", is supposed to be Middle East/North Africa. Please stop changing it on the spreadsheet. Please?

I am hoping to bring my will-be husband with me, but in the interview I had with the host location, they asked me some questions that make me think that it's not as simple as I thought it'd be. I thought that if you applied and on the application said you'd bring a dependent, then they'd be able to go with you (and if they wouldn't be allowed to, then your application wouldn't make it far). I was caught completely off-guard. Now I'm worried that there's a chance I'll get the grant but that he won't be able to come with me...

Thanks, Ranita--I had the same concerns. I applied to Bahrain and have been following all of the developments in the region. Please keep us updated if you hear from Jermaine Jones again.

Do you think the unrest in the Middle East means that some programs might be suspended this year? Maybe it's too early to tell... It's just that every time I go to a news site, it's all about the protests in the country I applied for (and elsewhere in the region). And it seems that the violence is escalating. I know everything could be fine by the time the grant would start, but if they are making the decisions in the next few months, I think it could affect some people. Does anyone know if this has happened before (where something happened in a host country and the program was suspended in the meantime)? I wonder how long it takes them to make the decision. I hope for our sakes that they wait and see before calling anything off!!

Does anyone know how long the phone interviews usually last? Or a range, anyway? Time to brush up on interview skills!

Good to hear that, biograd. Thanks.

Hmmm...I wonder if it varies by country? Or maybe my advisor just didn't know. I applied through my current university because I thought my chances might be better. My previous university has the top number of applicants and the top number of accepted applicants, but I don't think my current one has ever had anyone get a Fulbright, and it has a very small number of applicants. Can I ask which country you applied for?

Are you applying for the full grant or an ETA? I was told that the interview I did at my university would be the only interview I'd have to do. I applied for an ETA, though.

Congratulations to you, Skyfire! I'm thinking it doesn't hurt our chances on the US side (since we made it this far), but that it could come up once our applications go abroad. I'm hopeful, though!

Allah yubarak feek! I put "engaged" on the application and applied for the dependent support, but I'm just thinking of the nightmare it's going to be to try to change my name, my passport, credit cards, etc. before I go if I'm selected. I mean, if they put "engaged" as an option on the form, then surely someone has gone through the process before?

I am a finalist for an ETA to Bahrain. I found the forum for last year's Fulbright and have been reading that for about a month. I am so happy I found the current one today! I have a weird question--does anyone know what impact getting married prior to departure has on the whole process? I'll (hopefully) be getting married this summer and (hopefully) be going to Bahrain with my SO for the Fulbright in the fall. Has anyone been through this process or know someone who has had the same situation? Congratulations to everyone who has made it this far!