redArcher

Just wanted to put the word out there again - a Facebook group for all grantees to Indonesia is up! There are 7 of us so far and we'd love more company. We don't bite .

I was notified on 27 March, the letter was stamped on 5 April. So, it must have reached my house a day or two later since my permanent address is in NYC. The letter from my host country was stamped on 2 April and reached my house on 12 April (the shipping time will probably vary by country). Regarding your question, you can go to the CDC website and find the country specific vaccinations and immunizations suggested. If you have them and are up to date with all of them, then you should be fine. For example, if Spain had a high prevalence of malaria, then you would need to get prophylaxis. Other than that, I don't think anything is required. While no one will check, it's still to your benefit to be prepared medically. :-)

The one page letter came about a week after the e-mail basically restating what was in the notification e-mail, as someone mentioned previously. The package from my country (Indonesia) came about two weeks later. It contained time sensitive forms for acceptance and terms & conditions. There is also a checklist of things you need to send: bank account info, nearest international airport, and some other easy questions that can be sent via e-mail. Luckily, the medical form is accessible online. The country I'm currently in has no postal system so my mum brought me my package and I scanned what I could since the forms were due two days later. The medical form has to be mailed to NYC and I did that during a short trip to the states. Hopefully, you won't have to go through anything like that! Once the medical form has been cleared, I should hear back in July about booking flights and getting my visa for departure in August. And I should have written this first - CONGRATULATIONS! :-)

Hey Lia, I applied to a different country, different grant type, and wrote a completely different personal statement (I didn't even bother looking at my previous essay - it did not help me!). And no, I did not mention that I applied before; with a one-page limit, you can leave that out and put in more important information about yourself . Some helpful tips: Look up other grantees that have been to your potential host country. I stumbled upon the Fulbright blog which led me to a student ambassador for Indonesia. I contacted her and she told me about the country and her experiences while she was on the grant. She did more than I expected - she helped me revise my essays and we did a mock interview on Skype the night before my real one. We still keep in touch as I have been contacting her regarding pre-departure and some in-country prep. Needless to say, but start early. I completed filling in all the easy information online as soon as the app opened in early May because I was so pumped about applying again, lol. Hit up your campus library for resources on your host country. I also had informal meetings with people (mainly library staff) that were from Indonesia. It's not a totally crazy idea, but I learned a lot from just talking to them. I must state, the second time applying was a much more enjoyable experience because I was familiar with the application process. I took detailed notes on several winning essays, knew more about my host country, had more experience, had another year of personal growth, had reached out to more people (a few Fulbright grantees, and some very close friends), and I even called Mr. Akeley to ask him for advice on writing a winning personal statement and proposal. I hope this helps and best of luck! =]

Congratulations to all of the recent acceptances!! I am so happy for you guys. My condolences to those who were rejected. You can always apply again like I did as well as others on this thread. Alternates, hang in there! I am currently completing all the paper work required to officially accept the grant and the wait, maybe not so much the slight agony, was worth it. Also, I am currently updating the spreadsheet - please list the type of grant when you post (Full or ETA) your info. I had to leave some cells blank since I do not know your grant type and I do not want to guess. Thank you. :-)

Congrats on the recommendation to Tanzania!! I lived in Moshi and worked on Mt. Kilimanjaro 3 years ago! I also spent some time in Zanzibar - gorgeous! It is such a lovely place! Bahati nzuri, I hope you get it :-)

I created a group for this cycle's Indonesian Fulbrighters (ETA & Full). Please feel free to join or add a grantee you know. Here is the link http://www.facebook.com/groups/330158270372197/

To the Indo Fulbrighters (ETA & Research), can you please send me your names in a PM if you would like to be part of a Facebook group. I tried to create the group, but could not do it because I am not friends with any of you, lol =p. I would love to get in touch with anyone who will be there, exchange info, and couchsurf if possible! :-)

Also, I have just finished updating the spreadsheet. Whatever you write here, I will put on the spreadsheet unless you state otherwise - this is just so that I don't have to write PMs and ask you for permission, then wait for your response (which is what I have been doing). It just makes the work easier for me. Thank you :-)

Thank you!! :-) As someone mentioned previously, a Fulbright is a Fulbright. After going through this daunting and grueling process again and receiving the award, I am in no position to make such a comparison and am so thankful! Again, best of luck to those still waiting to hear. :-)

Thank you Bdoll! And congratulations to you as well!!!! Like I said to you before we even knew, I look forward to meeting you. Thank you ecpurcell! I hope good news comes your way as well. And congrats to all those who have heard great news so far! I'm still shaking!

Accepted for an ETA in INDONESIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot believe it!!!! I started jumping around and could barely explain the grant in a foreign language to the local staff. I was quite speechless! To those who were rejected, if this is something you truly want, then please go after it again. This was my second time applying. I didn't even want to, but had such a motivating advisor and gave it one more shot. OH MY GOODNESS!!! I have less than 2 weeks at home this summer before I leave. Ahhh!!!!!! :-)

Looks like the East Asia & Pacific Region has gotten the ball rolling.... :-0

Bahaha...."carrier pigeons". What a good chuckle! Thank you, I needed that :-)

I believe it is for that as well as to confirm your grades.

Hey Biz, I would love to help you! I have some free time on my hands after work. Just shoot me a PM with the details to signing on and working the spreadsheet. :-)

Since some people are interested and I have some info, here is what I want to share from two other friends awarded the grant: Colombia: Stipend was 1,200$ USD (2,400 pesos colombianos). However, either they have since reduced that amount or have shortened the grant period because the IIE is apparently going broke... He also mentioned that you have to stay on top of the stipend delivery because sometimes they were late with the deposits and his landlady almost kicked him out, lol. India: Stipend is 1000$ USD. She is also paid in the local currency, rupees. This info is up to date. They both opened accounts in-country and had money, which was wired into their American accounts, transferred automatically to their in-country accounts. That's all I have for now! :-)

For the Fulbright applicants to Indonesia - I just stumbled upon some information that made me happy and a little bit more confident about getting the award. Apparently, 40 to 50 ETA grants will be awarded instead of 35 (as stated on the main US website for Fulbright). Also, the start/end date for the grant is mentioned: 5 August 2012 to 13 May 2013, which is great to know since I mentioned in my work contract that I would leave early should I get the Fulbright (I was very optimistic!) if the dates overlapped (which they do, I end on 18 Aug...). Here is the link: http://www.aminef.or.id/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=2&id=54. I hope we find out soon and again, good luck! :-) Also, why I am up at 521AM - roosters...

Me too!! I think I will remove the email notification and just check the forum at the end of the day for updates. That feeling is not worth going through every morning and all throughout the day.

Another friend of mine who was a Fulbrighter to Kenya said she got about $2000/month (this was about 2 years ago). That is a reference, but I would think that the stipend varies by each country especially because of the different standards/costs of living. At the end of the day, Fulbright will provide you with a stipend that will help you manage your living expenses. Don't worry about the costs! I doubt one of the most prestigious programs in the world would give us the short end of the stick.

Damn. So sorry to hear that! Keep your head up. A friend of mine who was a Fulbrighter to Ghana was an alternate at first. She was awarded the grant 4 days later. It is not over yet =]

Wow... At least they notified you! This confirms my earlier post - they will not take you out of the competition because they did not receive your transcript. I am sorry for the emotional roller coaster you are experiencing. Please have some drinks after sending it again! :-)

Lol. Nope, not weird at all. There's nothing wrong with wanting to be informed

Congratulations vordhosbntwin!!! That's awesome. It looks like more notifications have gone out today - people are congratulating their friends on Twitter.

I am right there with you buddy! My FPA was like, "Would you rather not have been recommended??!". And I was like, okay, I need to chill, lol.