[Fulbright 2013-2014]

Well that's nice to hear! Taiwan's a great choice, I'm actually starting my Boren Scholarship in Taiwan next week

I thought my biggest mistakes were--and these are just speculations since Fulbright doesn't really send specific critiques.

1. I didn't focus on what the Vietnamese audience would think of my essay. I only had Americans read my essays, and so it made sense to them. However, looking back on my essay, I can see how it wasn't projecting as well as I wanted it to.
   
   
2. I was repetitive in my essay. Fulbright only gives you a page for each essay (if you're ETA), so the way you use your words is key!
   
   
3. My recommendation letters weren't strong enough. I asked an adviser and the previous person that was in charge of my teaching/volunteering program to write them. This time around, I'm asking my biology, theology, and communications professors to write them. I've been in close contact with them, and I know they'll write three amazing letters.
   

I thought these were my biggest weaknesses, so I'm going to work on improving these aspects this time around.

What made you choose Taiwan?

Hey Kbui,

I'm working on my ETA application to South Korea and I'm concerned that I might be falling into your first mistake of not thoroughly considering how my essays will be received by its South Korean audience. What do you mean when you say your essay wasn't "projecting" as well as you wanted? I guess I'm not sure what the screening committee abroad would be looking for/responsive to that would be different from the domestic U.S. evaluators. Wouldn't they both share the same criteria for a good potential candidate?