maisie112

just an FYI regarding Fly America...I waanted to let you guys know that there IS something of a minor loophole, that being, if a connecting European carrier is partnered w/ an American one, you can use it. For instance, many of the flights I was looking at on Orbitz, Expedia, etc., started on an American carrier, flew to Frankfurt or Vienna, then switched to a European carrier for instance Czech Air or Lufthansa. Now, ordinarily that would not be allowable as you're required (and I got this straight from Rachel Holskin) to fly American as far as possible to your destination. What this means is, if there were two flights, one on United connecting in Frankfurt for $1000, then switching to Czech Air, and one on Delta flying nonstop to Prague for $2300, you'd have to take the Delta flight. You'd only be allowed to take the United flight IF NO FLIGHT IS AVAILABLE on an American carrier to your destination. HOWEVER, if you can get a United (or Delta or Continental) flight number for all legs of the trip, you're good. So, although my flight originates on UNited and switches to Lufthansa, I was able to get a UNited flight number for the Luft. flight as it's operating as a partner. So, make sure you ask about this!! This really saved me a lot of money. Good luck!!

I'm with Erindn. I had to follow the Fly America Act, and was finding flights upwards of $1300 (to the Czech Republic) on American carriers, vs. $600 or so on British Airways or Lufthansa. our travel allowance from the CR is $2000, but of course there's the expense of a hotel...the CR is paying for our accommodations during the orientation, obviously, but it'll take me longer than that to find a suitable apartment... in any case, I ended up paying $1050 for my flight through STA travel (student/teacher discount). But it does seem ridiculous to me to even pay that much when, as I said, there were lots of flights on European carriers for under $1000. What I don't get is how the American carriers can charge so much? How do they get any passengers? It's absurd.

Hey jacksondietrich, Just wanted to respond to something you said: "I don't think I'll be reapplying because I've been out of college for a couple of years now (c/o 2006) - I'll probably be too old after I finish TFA in two years to be a competitive candidate." Just to let you know, I'm 40, finished grad school (at Brown) in '06, and was just awarded a research grant (creative writing) to the Czech Republic. I know that a few countries do have age limits, but I wouldn't worry about it. You shouldn't let that stop you from reapplying!

Lisa: I was flat out rejected last year. This year I got it (research grant, Czech Republic).

Hi nemolover, I was notified of acceptance for the Czech Fulbright full grant on March 17. It was sent USPS, just a plain manila envelope. Maybe the DHL thing is only for ETA students? Anyway, hope that helps.

FSIA is right. I found out last week that I'd gotten a Fulbright to the Czech Republic, and my notification came from the FB offices in NY.

Hi mkurtl098, I'm the one who posted an acceptance; I'm going to the Czech Republic. I got a 9x12 manila envelope, with the letter of acceptance, and some medical forms I have to fill out; that was it. I'm guessing I'll get some sort of orientation package with more info in a couple of weeks or so. Good luck!! I hope you hear something soon.

Hi Aireater, Good luck, Nigeria sounds amazing. To answer your question re: notification. I received a large envelope, from the IIE in NY. Which is odd, since I had heard that if you get in, you receive a letter directly from the country. But, maybe it depends on the country.

I applied in Creative Writing and am going to be researching a novel I'm working on that's set in 1913 Austria-Hungary. I've been out of school for a couple of years (MFA, Brown '06). Last year I applied through Brown but this year I was At Large. But anyway, what I did last year was to email the head of the Czech Fulbright Committee and ask, basically, why I was rejected. She was very nice and gave me specific suggestions; mainly, they felt my affiliation letter wasn't strong enough. So, yeah, persistence does pay off!! Good luck again, hope you get good news soon!

Thanks Lisa, and good luck OD09, you still have a shot... To answer your question about rejections, yes, they do send a letter out. I got one last year.

Hi everyone! I just found out via a letter from the FSB that I got it!!! I will be going to the Czech Republic. This is my second year applying (finalist last year) so I am on cloud nine. Good luck to everyone and I hope you find out soon.