bdoll

pomona has a summary of previous interview questions linked here through depauw: http://www.depauw.edu/files/resources/ukfulbrighttelephoneinterviewquestions_pomona2011.pdf

Hey outlookingin, I was originally an applicant for the Malaysia ETA but switched over to Indonesia. I have a couple of thoughts on your questions on the Malaysia ETA if you feel like PMing me.

Congrats on your grant! That is a nice advantage but I agree with you that I would rather take a more traditional orientation in country. Thanks for the info.

Who says the Germany applicants can't take a moment to look over the last four or five pages of the forum and see similar questions (and some answers) about the PAD and Lebenslauf? T Pain's comment may have been a little harsh, but that kind of research is generally considered a forum courtesy.

Which program did you apply to, and was it for ETA or a full grant? I was under the impression that everyone received an in-country orientation and people going to most regions (with the notable exception of Western Europe and now it looks like East-Asia Pacific) went to a pre-departure orientation. I've been in touch with past Fulbright ETAs going to Indonesia and Malaysia and they also had in-country orientations together as ETAs before going their separate ways. Looks like I was way off the mark! It seems like those going for research grants don't get as structured of an orientation as the ETAs though. Makes sense, since ETAs usually don't have as strong a grasp of the local language or any affiliations/connections with locals before arrival.

I'm guessing it probably has to do with the budget cuts. Maybe I'm misremembering but I swear there were a whole host of orientations for (especially ETAs) to the Asia-Pacific region, including an entirely separate orientation for Fulbrighters to Indonesia. Oh well, makes summer plans that much easier to coordinate since people wouldn't have to worry about maybe or maybe not having fly to DC in the middle of the summer.

That's correct. Only the owner of the spreadsheet can edit it, so maybe they haven't updated it for a bit.

Judging from the link in the email sent to those recommended for the Fulbright, it seems like there will be no pre-departure orientations for anyone going to the East Asia/Pacific region this year? I thought they had them for that region in the past...

It might be worth it to make the doc editable by a couple of people (i.e. regular visitors to this forum) in case you can't be reached or you lose access to that email address or something. Just a thought.

Recommended for an ETA to Indonesia. I'm actually shocked.

Hi there! ETA applicant to Indonesia... did anyone else apply there because I get the feeling that not many people did which is surprised me. Given the State department's commitment to stronger diplomatic ties to Indonesia, I thought the fulbright program would never be downsized and if anything, expanded.