Fulbright 2010-2011

[kiwicafe]

Hi!

I am new to the cafe (sorry if I'm posting in the wrong section). I wanted to see if anyone else is applying for the Fulbright 2010-2011? I'm a little torn on which country to choose since they're both very competitive (both in Western Europe). I feel like I have a really strong background in research, and have interned/researched a lot. But I wouldn't say I'm exceptional which has got me worried.

I am considering two countries, one is less competitive and one is highly competitive (but is the one I truly want to go to, and is more relevant to my research topic). I'm considering applying to the less competitive country since I don't want to risk it all.

Is anyone else going through this process?

Thanks for your help!

[rising_star]

I'm sort of working on a Fulbright-Hays application but probably won't get it done in time for the deadline since I've got some conference papers I have to write.

When's your campus deadline for Fulbright?

[kiwicafe]

I'm not in undergraduate anymore so my deadline is thankfully a little later.

I think you should definitely apply When is yours due?

[rising_star]

Well, the campus deadline for Fulbright is Sept 18, which is why I'm not doing that. By the time I learned about it, there wasn't enough time to ask for recommendations. I'm not sure what our campus deadline for Fulbright-Hays is... but a stumbling block for that is that I haven't really solidified my dissertation research questions yet. I may apply anyway, but I doubt it. There's two other grants due around the same time that would potentially be better for me to have.

[OfftoIndia]

I just submitted my ETA application for India. The campus deadline is Sept 18th, so I made it with a few days to spare.

[kiwicafe]

Best of luck to you both!

I'm still torn b/w Country A (more competitive) and Country B (less competitive). I feel really excited about Country A and already have someone who wants to work with me but I don't know what my competition is which is scary.

I'm not sure if my doubt is out of fear or intuition. I hate being unable to discern between the two lol.

[kiwicafe]

Also do any of you know of a Fulbright forum?

Best and Thanks!

[OfftoIndia]

Hi KiwiCafe,

Thanks for the message. It's probably easier just to answer your question (about why I chose India) on the forum to get the conversation going. I study Public Diplomacy, and India is critical to US PD in the region. I am also studying the Hindi language. Unfortunately, there are very few grants to India, so it's fairly competitive. They also look for very specific qualities in their applicants, which can creat another level of difficulty.

To where are you applying and why?

BTW, the 2009-2010 Fulbright forum turned out to be quite prolific and helpful for many applicants. I hope the 2010-2011 can become a similar resource.

[Intaglio6]

I'm applying for a Fulbright to Latvia. I'm not applying through a university as I'm currently enrolled in an MA abroad, so my deadline is (I believe) October 19th. I've got everything wrapped up, though, and will probably send it off this week.

To address the OP's question: I think you should apply to the country that most appeals to you; you'll have an easier time writing convincing essays and your application will appear more robust.

[pomchem]

Hi everyone,

I have submitted an application to be an ETA in Taiwan for 2010-2011, along with the Critical Language Enhancement Award. I was one of the unfortunate few who was applying to Hong Kong ETA only to have it cancelled on Sept. 23rd-ish. That was about two weeks before the actual deadline, so I had to revamp my essays, fix my recommendations, etc. I was definitely bummed, but it may have been a blessing in disguise. Now I'm applying to Taiwan and hopefully I'll get to work on my Mandarin more. My main concern is my lack of teaching experience, but I'm hoping the rest of my application will make up for it. I agree that hopefully this forum will be as active as last years was!

Good luck to everyone waiting for that magical day in January to be a finalist !

[BMCGirl10]

Hi everyone,

I pressed the submit button for my 2010-2011 application for a research grant to Lithuania yesterday. I'm a graduating senior and my research area of interest is political theory. My main concern is competing with an applicant pool that includes Ph.D candidates who are applying to work on their dissertation research. Here's hoping we all receive great news in January! I also would love not to be one of the Fulbright finalists who aren't notified until July - early August. In reading the boards I saw that happened to Egypt's grantees in 2009-2010. Best of luck everyone.

[OfftoIndia]

Hi everyone,

I have submitted an application to be an ETA in Taiwan for 2010-2011, along with the Critical Language Enhancement Award. I was one of the unfortunate few who was applying to Hong Kong ETA only to have it cancelled on Sept. 23rd-ish. That was about two weeks before the actual deadline, so I had to revamp my essays, fix my recommendations, etc. I was definitely bummed, but it may have been a blessing in disguise. Now I'm applying to Taiwan and hopefully I'll get to work on my Mandarin more. My main concern is my lack of teaching experience, but I'm hoping the rest of my application will make up for it. I agree that hopefully this forum will be as active as last years was!

Good luck to everyone waiting for that magical day in January to be a finalist !

Wow, what happened w/ HK? Did they give you any specifics?

[pomchem]

I'm not sure what happened. They just sent an email that apologized and said that we should feel free to apply to other ETAs or full grants. (But I mean, you can't prepare a full grant proposal in two or three weeks in my opinion).

I was lucky because my university worked with me, but I had already drafted all my essays, turned in hard copies of recommendations/transcripts, etc. Luckily my goals for going to HK or Taiwan are similar, but it was difficult getting new forms and essays in on time for campus deadlines and my on campus interview. My advisor was flexible once they heard the news. The Hong Kong full research grant is still available, as well as the Macau ETA. I'm sure it's just some issues with funding or whatnot. Taiwan might be a bit more competitive for me, since they prefer a little bit of background in education...but it's not required.

Offtoindia, you said you are studying Hindi...did you apply for CLEA as well?

And I agree with Intaglio6, where you can really demonstrate your passion and write a strong essay is going to give you the best chances. Although it's less competitive, the strength of your application will come through with how much you know about it, how your project fits, etc. Have you decided on a place yet?

[XiaoLiLi]

I'm not sure what happened. They just sent an email that apologized and said that we should feel free to apply to other ETAs or full grants. (But I mean, you can't prepare a full grant proposal in two or three weeks in my opinion).

I was lucky because my university worked with me, but I had already drafted all my essays, turned in hard copies of recommendations/transcripts, etc. Luckily my goals for going to HK or Taiwan are similar, but it was difficult getting new forms and essays in on time for campus deadlines and my on campus interview. My advisor was flexible once they heard the news. The Hong Kong full research grant is still available, as well as the Macau ETA. I'm sure it's just some issues with funding or whatnot. Taiwan might be a bit more competitive for me, since they prefer a little bit of background in education...but it's not required.

Offtoindia, you said you are studying Hindi...did you apply for CLEA as well?

And I agree with Intaglio6, where you can really demonstrate your passion and write a strong essay is going to give you the best chances. Although it's less competitive, the strength of your application will come through with how much you know about it, how your project fits, etc. Have you decided on a place yet?

I applied for the Taiwan ETA and CLEA too! Good luck!

[OfftoIndia]

I'm not sure what happened. They just sent an email that apologized and said that we should feel free to apply to other ETAs or full grants. (But I mean, you can't prepare a full grant proposal in two or three weeks in my opinion).

I was lucky because my university worked with me, but I had already drafted all my essays, turned in hard copies of recommendations/transcripts, etc. Luckily my goals for going to HK or Taiwan are similar, but it was difficult getting new forms and essays in on time for campus deadlines and my on campus interview. My advisor was flexible once they heard the news. The Hong Kong full research grant is still available, as well as the Macau ETA. I'm sure it's just some issues with funding or whatnot. Taiwan might be a bit more competitive for me, since they prefer a little bit of background in education...but it's not required.

Offtoindia, you said you are studying Hindi...did you apply for CLEA as well?

And I agree with Intaglio6, where you can really demonstrate your passion and write a strong essay is going to give you the best chances. Although it's less competitive, the strength of your application will come through with how much you know about it, how your project fits, etc. Have you decided on a place yet?

I wanted to apply for the CLEA, but for India, it is only available to Full Grant applicants.

[Bossebra]

I'm applying for an ETA to Jordan. Looks like I'm competing for one of two spots :/ Fingers crossed until January.

[pomchem]

I applied for the Taiwan ETA and CLEA too! Good luck!

That's great to find other people applying to Taiwan. Are you just finishing your BA? Do you have teaching experience...I'm a bit worried since I will probably be one of the few who are not ESL majors.

[Certain_Entropy]

I'm so excited to see other india applications. I applied there as well for a research grant. I'll be graduating this year as well.

[XiaoLiLi]

That's great to find other people applying to Taiwan. Are you just finishing your BA? Do you have teaching experience...I'm a bit worried since I will probably be one of the few who are not ESL majors.

I finished my Anthro BA three years ago. It's been a little while but I applied through my alma matter. Since undergrad, I've done some grad classes and I work in adult education; which is not quite the same as what is required of Taiwan ETAs, but I hope it helps. What about you?

[pomchem]

I finished my Anthro BA three years ago. It's been a little while but I applied through my alma matter. Since undergrad, I've done some grad classes and I work in adult education; which is not quite the same as what is required of Taiwan ETAs, but I hope it helps. What about you?

I'm graduating this year with a degree in Chemistry. I've done a lot of work with Chinese studies though. I'm going to medical school afterwards, but most of my education experience is only with tutoring Chinese occasionally and patient education. I'm hoping that my essays do a good job of explaining why I really want to do the ETA. I'm thinking pediatrics, so the younger students was a huge appeal to me. I just really love working with languages and the educational environment in general. That's great that you work in education some already. That'll be a huge plus for your application!

[BMCGirl10]

So yeah I really wish Fulbright decisions weren't so far away. I'm trying to plan my summer and I won't legitly know what I'm doing until April (at best).

[debsta]

Anyone for Germany research grants this year?

[der Träumer]

Nope, but fingers crossed for an ETA in Germany!

[Resham]

I applied for an India ETA as well. Let's definitely keep each other updated as we hear from Fulbright!

[theurbanmapper]

Applied for a research FB to Turkey - I'm finishing my master's in urban planning, and hope to study urbanism, mapping and tourism there. Just a few weeks to here the preliminary, but it's driving me crazy!