Fulbright 2014-2015

[ginagoestokorea]

Piggybacking off of GnosisExchange, the final selection emails are sent from the IIE or from US Student Programs?

[marty3]

Has anybody's acceptance letter talked about what the actual award amount is? I was just examining the cost of living in my respective city in Australia and it is pretty high (a McDonald's combo supposedly costs $9). Does anybody know what kind of stipend to expect? I know it varies between countries. 

 

I was a fulbrighter in Australia a few years ago. The cost of living there is certainly high, but the stipend is generous enough to live very comfortably and travel a lot. No need to stress.

[marty3]

I was a fulbrighter in Australia a few years ago. The cost of living there is certainly high, but the stipend is generous enough to live very comfortably and travel a lot. No need to stress.

 

Also, this isn't an actual breakdown, but the total is award amount is about 40,000 AUD.

http://www.fulbright.com.au/scholarships/for-americans?id=249

[FingersCrossed_118]

I'm for the ETA track- how about you? Also, just out of curiosity, what are you planning on doing when you come back? It would be awesome to get the Fulbright, but the fact that the academic year in Brazil is from March to October throws me off a little bit! It makes going to grad school a bit difficult!

I applied for ETA as well! And I am in the exact same boat. Trying to figure out what to do before and after the grant would start/end is difficult. I also applied for the Princeton in Latin America Fellowship, which I was lucky to be awarded, so I might have the opportunity to work in Brazil beforehand, but its frustrating with getting a work visa and everything...such a long process. I'm hoping that, if I get Fulbright, I could either stay in Brazil and work after November 2015 or come back to the states and work for 8 months until law school...but as of right now I don't have a plan that is set in stone. What about you?

[FB2014Aussie]

Also, this isn't an actual breakdown, but the total is award amount is about 40,000 AUD.

http://www.fulbright.com.au/scholarships/for-americans?id=249

Thanks a lot for this information, Marty - I'm a finalist for Australia, and had concerns similar to mdog's. 40,000 AUD is very generous and would be ample.

 

My bet is that we hear on Tuesday! Good luck to all of those waiting to hear back about Australia!

[mdog3000]

Thanks a lot for this information, Marty - I'm a finalist for Australia, and had concerns similar to mdog's. 40,000 AUD is very generous and would be ample.

 

My bet is that we hear on Tuesday! Good luck to all of those waiting to hear back about Australia!

 

I'm hoping for Tuesday too! (Actually I'm hoping for tomorrow haha). Thank you Marty as well!

 

Additionally, I just had a thought for former fulbrighters. How do you go about paying taxes on the award amount? Do they give you information about that?

Edited March 24, 2014 by mdog3000

[marty3]

The Australian Fulbright Commission gave us no info on taxes (commissions for other countries might be different), but there is info on the IIE Fulbright website. Taxes are definitely complicated to file, but there are foreign exemptions you might qualify for. If you're abroad for a full year you can be exempt from paying. You still have to file, though. Fulbright grants are so common there are IRS web pages devoted to it, so it is easy to get help.

[mdog3000]

The Australian Fulbright Commission gave us no info on taxes (commissions for other countries might be different), but there is info on the IIE Fulbright website. Taxes are definitely complicated to file, but there are foreign exemptions you might qualify for. If you're abroad for a full year you can be exempt from paying. You still have to file, though. Fulbright grants are so common there are IRS web pages devoted to it, so it is easy to get help.

Great to know. I just skimmed through the IRS's page on the fulbright (nice that they have that). My response to all that jargon =   haha.

[lillie]

I have not found out yet whether or not I have been accepted for a research Fulbright, however, I am struggling with what to do if I do get accepted. I know it is a huge honor and seen as ridiculous to not accept such a prestigious award, but I can't imagine leaving my boyfriend for that long and while he wants what's best for me he would be destroyed if I went. When I applied we were not dating. Our relationship is serious and because he's a little older he wants to settle down soon. His work and grad school schedule would make it difficult for him to come visit and I read we can only leave the country for 14 days total during the 9 months. On the other hand, my parents and everyone who has been involved with this process would be very disappointed if I did not accept it and I would be letting a lot of people down. I am so torn. While it would be an amazing opportunity and open up a lot of doors, if I did not do a Fulbright my career path would not suffer greatly. I have been applying to jobs and have received a few interviews for positions I really want and even a job offer. If I did accept it though, my personal life may suffer a lot and something I do not want to risk. Is anyone else dealing with a similar situation or am I just crazy for even thinking of rejecting a Fulbright? 

[lalakey]

I have not found out yet whether or not I have been accepted for a research Fulbright, however, I am struggling with what to do if I do get accepted. I know it is a huge honor and seen as ridiculous to not accept such a prestigious award, but I can't imagine leaving my boyfriend for that long and while he wants what's best for me he would be destroyed if I went. When I applied we were not dating. Our relationship is serious and because he's a little older he wants to settle down soon. His work and grad school schedule would make it difficult for him to come visit and I read we can only leave the country for 14 days total during the 9 months. On the other hand, my parents and everyone who has been involved with this process would be very disappointed if I did not accept it and I would be letting a lot of people down. I am so torn. While it would be an amazing opportunity and open up a lot of doors, if I did not do a Fulbright my career path would not suffer greatly. I have been applying to jobs and have received a few interviews for positions I really want and even a job offer. If I did accept it though, my personal life may suffer a lot and something I do not want to risk. Is anyone else dealing with a similar situation or am I just crazy for even thinking of rejecting a Fulbright? 

 

I really don't want to be harsh but yes I think it is a little crazy. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that could change you forever, not to mention help out with your future career in ways you never expected. If you weren't even dating when you applied, you CANNOT have been dating long enough to give up a huge chance for this guy, no matter how you feel now. This would be a challenge and a strain on your relationship, but if your relationship can't handle a little strain, how will it fare in the long run for your WHOLE LIFE? There will be things more stressful than being apart during your (potential) marriage. Plus, it's only one year. There's skype, texting, emails, letters, postcards-- and after, your relationship will be stronger and better equipped to handle bigger issues ahead.

 

Source: Was in a long distance relationship for a year. It was hard. We're still together.

[SmarteyMartey]

I have not found out yet whether or not I have been accepted for a research Fulbright, however, I am struggling with what to do if I do get accepted. I know it is a huge honor and seen as ridiculous to not accept such a prestigious award, but I can't imagine leaving my boyfriend for that long and while he wants what's best for me he would be destroyed if I went. When I applied we were not dating. Our relationship is serious and because he's a little older he wants to settle down soon. His work and grad school schedule would make it difficult for him to come visit and I read we can only leave the country for 14 days total during the 9 months. On the other hand, my parents and everyone who has been involved with this process would be very disappointed if I did not accept it and I would be letting a lot of people down. I am so torn. While it would be an amazing opportunity and open up a lot of doors, if I did not do a Fulbright my career path would not suffer greatly. I have been applying to jobs and have received a few interviews for positions I really want and even a job offer. If I did accept it though, my personal life may suffer a lot and something I do not want to risk. Is anyone else dealing with a similar situation or am I just crazy for even thinking of rejecting a Fulbright? 

I do not think you are crazy and understand that you are trying to preserve something that is very important to you. 

That said, I think that what you are trying to do for the advancement of your career is very important to you as well.

I understand that your relationship is serious...a serious and strong relationship can state the tests that come up against it. If your relationship is as strong as you believe, it can withstand something that is important such as a Fulbright.

I think...at this point, you should have a conversation with the person you are in a relationship...and speak to one another on a deeper level about how strong this relationship is and the kind of challenges that you are both willing to go through for the advancement of BOTH your lives.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and you already stated that the two of you were not dating when you applied. You stated that he is a bit older and would like to settle down. There is a responsibility that is taken on by someone who chooses to date someone younger than that person is...to an extent, the conversation about where the both of you are in your lives at the time when the relationship started to look serious comes up.

That aside, you did say that your career path would not suffer greatly...but how far are you willing to advance your career? If nothing is guaranteed and if you are not sure how far you'd like to advance your career then you should stick with the Fulbright. Also, if the person you are dating is telling you that the relationship will be on the rocks if you leave abroad for something that has much to do with the advancement of your career and life (which would also include him), then I think you need to really think about what else you might have to backseat in your future should your relationship with this person get to the settling down point.

Nothing is guaranteed and when it comes to relationships BOTH people need to be willing to support the other person. Once you settle down, a lot of opportunities get thin, especially if you know the other person isn't the type to be able to find some sort of balance for great once in a lifetime opportunities that the other in the relationship may come across.

How badly do you want this Fulbright? As you know the process to get to where you have is nothing to scoff at (not accusing you of doing so)

How important to you is it that someone makes a strong effort to support you in the advancement of your life?

...sometimes people support us but sometimes the support that people are willing to give have boundaries. Are you comfortable with the boundary that you see that the person you are dating is setting for you?

I hope my response gives you a different direction to take this in your mind.

At the end of the day, yes people could be disappointed but if you stay with this person, be benefits from your Fulbright too...settling down, you want to advance your career as much as you can if you're going to settle down...depending on what kind of life you want to live (not just monetary).

If you got this Fulbright, you WILL need to really think about what else you are willing to do for your personal life...which is understandable... I know some people who would give up a big opportunity for the good of their family. I will say, they have children factored into the situation. I am unsure if that is your situation.

....decisions like these also include deciding how much the other person understands your passions, sometimes sacrifices need to be made but they can be handled if both people are confident in the strength of their relationship. It will be a challenge but confidence on both sides is extremely important. There is a lot to be said for a strong foundation.

You both may want to discuss your fears with one another...you may have already discussed it but REALLY discuss it. :-) You both need to tell each other what you both think SUPPORT means in relation to each other/relationships etc!

 

Edited March 24, 2014 by SmarteyMartey

[lillie]

Thank you both for your candid and helpful responses. You brought up very good points and will definitely help me rethink some things

[FingersCrossed_118]

Public Service Announcement: I emailed the Brazil program director. Will post an update as soon as she replies!

[SmarteyMartey]

Thank you both for your candid and helpful responses. You brought up very good points and will definitely help me rethink some things

Best of luck to you! :-) 

[Hina]

I have not found out yet whether or not I have been accepted for a research Fulbright, however, I am struggling with what to do if I do get accepted. I know it is a huge honor and seen as ridiculous to not accept such a prestigious award, but I can't imagine leaving my boyfriend for that long and while he wants what's best for me he would be destroyed if I went. When I applied we were not dating. Our relationship is serious and because he's a little older he wants to settle down soon. His work and grad school schedule would make it difficult for him to come visit and I read we can only leave the country for 14 days total during the 9 months. On the other hand, my parents and everyone who has been involved with this process would be very disappointed if I did not accept it and I would be letting a lot of people down. I am so torn. While it would be an amazing opportunity and open up a lot of doors, if I did not do a Fulbright my career path would not suffer greatly. I have been applying to jobs and have received a few interviews for positions I really want and even a job offer. If I did accept it though, my personal life may suffer a lot and something I do not want to risk. Is anyone else dealing with a similar situation or am I just crazy for even thinking of rejecting a Fulbright? 

 

That's definitely a hard situation, but I agree with the others that have commented on this. In my opinion, this experience will make your relationship stronger. I left to work abroad when my boyfriend and I had been dating for 4 months, and I was abroad for 2 of the 3 years we have been dating. It's hard, but not impossible. If your relationship is going to survive marriage, then it can survive this. 

 

Also, REALLY hoping the rumor about all of us finding out before April 15th is true. This wait is killin me!

[olioliwoo]

Question for those who were alternates last year and have reapplied: How much of your first application did you keep and how much did you start from scratch on (did you have your letters of rec re-written, etc.)?

[lalakey]

Question for those who were alternates last year and have reapplied: How much of your first application did you keep and how much did you start from scratch on (did you have your letters of rec re-written, etc.)?

 

I wasn't an alternate, but I got outright rejected... Rewrote the entire thing, totally new idea. I actually got the new idea halfway through the last academic year but it was too late (obviously) to change my idea by then. My idea this year was much more politically and historically charged, and somewhat groundbreaking, which I thought was important. And now I'm in the finals I kept the recommendations the same except my letter of affiliation, but that letter kind of sucked so I figured it was time to get someone more enthusiastic about my work.

[lalakey]

What the eff is going on, Germany? Where's dat German efficiency?! All your surrounding countries have decided. My head of department at my PhD program is pestering me to make a decision

[liviehz]

What the eff is going on, Germany? Where's dat German efficiency?! All your surrounding countries have decided. My head of department at my PhD program is pestering me to make a decision

 

Poland hasn't decided yet either. I'm not sure if the Ukrainian-Russian issue might be causing delays in responses being sent out.

[lalakey]

I'm sure they've DECIDED (see the stats page they put out) but I just want decisions to be released

[ginagoestokorea]

Whoa! Iceland sent out notifications last Friday too. I wonder what country is next... Come on Korea! I think Madonna's song explains the waiting situation perfectly. "Time goes by so slowly~~" http://m.youtube.com/results?q=madonna%20time%20goes%20by&sm=1

[tieloran]

Question for those who were alternates last year and have reapplied: How much of your first application did you keep and how much did you start from scratch on (did you have your letters of rec re-written, etc.)?

 

I used a lot of ideas from my old statements, but I rewrote them both for the most part. I learned a lot going through the process the first time and wanted my application to reflect that. I kept two out of three of my recs the same. One was last minute last year (someone who agreed to do my rec forgot to get it in and then went MIA until the next week...it was stressful), so I chose my third recommender more carefully this time around.

 

That said, I don't know yet if it worked any better this year! Right now I'm in the same position I was.

Edited March 24, 2014 by tieloran

[tieloran]

I have not found out yet whether or not I have been accepted for a research Fulbright, however, I am struggling with what to do if I do get accepted. I know it is a huge honor and seen as ridiculous to not accept such a prestigious award, but I can't imagine leaving my boyfriend for that long and while he wants what's best for me he would be destroyed if I went. When I applied we were not dating. Our relationship is serious and because he's a little older he wants to settle down soon. His work and grad school schedule would make it difficult for him to come visit and I read we can only leave the country for 14 days total during the 9 months. On the other hand, my parents and everyone who has been involved with this process would be very disappointed if I did not accept it and I would be letting a lot of people down. I am so torn. While it would be an amazing opportunity and open up a lot of doors, if I did not do a Fulbright my career path would not suffer greatly. I have been applying to jobs and have received a few interviews for positions I really want and even a job offer. If I did accept it though, my personal life may suffer a lot and something I do not want to risk. Is anyone else dealing with a similar situation or am I just crazy for even thinking of rejecting a Fulbright? 

 

I get it. I started dating my boyfriend right before I sent in my application. It sucks a whole lot to have the "long distance or not at all?" conversation, but I've been very clear from the beginning that I will take the Fulbright if I get it. He says that there's a small part of him that doesn't want me to get it so that our relationship won't be put under that strain, but for the most part he would be ecstatic for me. If we want our relationship to work in the long run, we need to be able to survive nine months apart. As lalakey said, it is easier than ever to keep in contact when you're halfway around the world. If this relationship is that strong, it will survive.

[olioliwoo]

I wasn't an alternate, but I got outright rejected... Rewrote the entire thing, totally new idea. I actually got the new idea halfway through the last academic year but it was too late (obviously) to change my idea by then. My idea this year was much more politically and historically charged, and somewhat groundbreaking, which I thought was important. And now I'm in the finals I kept the recommendations the same except my letter of affiliation, but that letter kind of sucked so I figured it was time to get someone more enthusiastic about my work.

 

 

I used a lot of ideas from my old statements, but I rewrote them both for the most part. I learned a lot going through the process the first time and wanted my application to accept that. I kept two out of three of my recs the same. One was last minute last year (someone who agreed to do my rec forgot to get it in and then went MIA until the next week...it was stressful), so I chose my third recommender more carefully this time around.

 

That said, I don't know yet if it worked any better this year! Right now I'm in the same position I was.

 

Thank you for the information. I am so focused on this cycle that it wasn't until my "sister-in-law" (who is currently a Fulbrighter in Morocco) suggested I can re-apply that I realized that if I want to do that I might need to start getting the ball rolling on that soon.

[tieloran]

Thank you for the information. I am so focused on this cycle that it wasn't until my "sister-in-law" (who is currently a Fulbrighter in Morocco) suggested I can re-apply that I realized that if I want to do that I might need to start getting the ball rolling on that soon.

 

Of course, I meant I want the application to "reflect" that...that's what I get for multitasking!

 

Also, no problem!!! Good luck rewriting! That part's a lot easier the second time around.

Edited March 24, 2014 by tieloran