Erica Ci

Thanks, I appreciate your info because I've not even begun with that part... I haven't been able to book flights because I literally have just been notified. My hubby has to decide if he's going to DC cuz then we have to pay extra for the room or something. Honestly, I'd just rather book now but I have to wait until Tuesday when I can speak with them regarding paying for my husband to come to DC & paying 1/2 the hotel costs because of that. They sent the links to register for tickets Friday evening... so I've had no time yet.

My husband and I are going to fly him to DC, and we have to pay for the extra night & 1/2 of cost on the other 2 nights. So it's gonna be an extra $520, but he's never been to DC and he can't accompany me for 80% of trip. Maybe you should just get married & take her with you if she could go for 80% of trip as a dependent. I'm not sure if Indonesia covers dependents, but UAE does because they have traditional Muslim family-values. I wish he could go though .... I'd even get an extra $200/month!

I have yet to receive my info packet & so I hardly know when I'm flying out for DC. However, I figure it will Portland to Abu Dhabi or Dubai. Usually Portland to Abu DHabi is cheaper (from my searches on Kayak.com) and Lufthansa has flights here I think- and they go to UAE. Sometimes from the W. Coast it seems there's a flight to NYC or something then across the pond as they say. We'll see. my dream flight would be with Qatar airways or Emirate Airlines because they are ridiculously fancy.... but I'm happy with anything.

I haven't heard back about the CLEA, but I was originally told it was "a few weeks after your acceptance" and it's only been a few days for me. However, if the Arabic CLEA for the Gulf MENA region is in EGypt I can't go. My dad & hubby are already worried. Although I have confidence in Egypt's stability, they do not and there's no way I could talk them into it I think.

Jermaine from the MENA region told me they're covering all my tickets... Hopefully it's not toooooo cheap flying cuz I'd rather have a nearly direct flight. I would love to stop on the way back through Europe as I haven't been since I was 14. Maybe I'll get a shwagg job & I'll be trekking all over the globe. God Willing. No way you are flying from Pullman... Spokane maybe? no puddle jumpers across the Atlantic... lol

I'm a huge fan of Kayak.com they show rates other people found for similar days, weeks, other airlines etc. I've booked through them and a lot of my hipster-traveling buddies swear by kayak.com. I'm still waiting for info from the IIE commission, but I just found out yesterday that I'm a grantee for UAE. Their tickets are like $1300 from the West Coast, but I can fly from my town (Portland, OR) or Seattle or even Cali... however PDX is cheaper. Weird.

Muscndanz- are you the Fulbright PhD candidate who will be teaching in UAE? I just found out today about my status from alternate to grantee I believe there are a few PSU congratulatory awards in graduation and the paper I'll expect to have an article or something... My dad is happy for me but concerned (he would be if I were going to Europe or Asia too). Mom feels the same, but won't say so for fear of hurting my feelings. My husband is hoping for gift certificates to "Muchas Gracias" the Mexican restaurant for HIS graduation because he can't cook. Friends & family are just finding out. I'm excited because the doctors at the ER I work in had just started warming up to me when they found out I was recommended. LOL... doctors are busy people though, particularly those working in the ER.

Yay, Jermaine Jones contacted me this morning and there is more UAE funding available & I've gone from alternate to accepted! I'm so excited! I'm going to United Arab Emirates, studying in Al-Ain (of the Emirate Abu Dhabi) It certainly hasn't sunk in yet for me- but I found out this morning. I have graduation in a few weeks, and there's tons of work to do. My employer is put out over the leave in June (because I said a week ago I should be available due to alternate status) yet, they knew I wasn't going to stay in my job forever and they have been really supportive. I think I may bet a new congratulations in graduation and a write up in the school paper- who knows other than that? See you all in DC!

Congrats MENA grantees. Just got my letter from UAE. I'm an alternate. I heard "small white envelope" over the phone & that was it... I didn't even need to see the letter I am fairly sure there's no hope with an alternate status. Bummer. Time to apply for jobs & more grant research. Wish I was with you all!!! Congratulations Bahrain, and Egypt finalists....

send your info to: fulbright2011.2012@gmail.com the spreadsheet is at google spread sheets *Click Here*

Congratulations on your grant to Turkey... I'd love to learn Turkish & visit! We're still waiting for info about many Middle East/North Africa region nations. I'm glad you brought up the medical exam... I should make my appointment just in case. Have fun & I'm sure you'll get it done.

Oh mi goodness, exciting for you! You should add to the spreadsheet & any other West Bank ETA's... I think ETA is the only grant to Palestine right?

Interesting, hope you know soon... I'm still waiting to hear from UAE, and I really think it may be another month. Doesn't seem to stop me from cruising through here, and commenting then checking the spread sheet Jermaine said that CLEA awards notify "a few weeks" after the Fulbright portion. So those of us waiting for MENA have longer to wait, then we find out about CLEA afterward. I also asked where the CLEA applicants in the Gulf will go, because previously they were set for Egypt... It looks like the Egypt situation is still unknown

I was wondering that too... although my Fulbright proposal in for UAE- and the United Arab Emirates has seen no problems this year.... You should "pick UAE" lulu ;-) I know I've mentioned it before. Something tells me it will likely be till June wait time still for some MENA regions. لا أعرف لكن وآمل أن نسمع منهم قريبا

Good luck everyone with the MENA region... I too am glad to see Morocco on the list. C'mon UAE... I'm not even on the spreadsheet with my Bahrain waiting friends...