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Issue 4 | August 2004

Developing Project & Establishing Host Affiliation
table of contents

 Program Updates

Responding to the Unexpected in your Fulbright Research

by Noor Jehan Johnson,

Introduction: Diversity in the Fulbright research experience  

Although the Fulbright program is well known in the US and around the world, I suspect that few people understand the degree of flexibility offered to program participants or the diversity of experience and method in research that the Fulbright program accommodates.
 
For some scholars, the Fulbright program is a means of supporting their previously established scholarship or of pursuing a specific project within their field.  For those who, like myself, enter the Fulbright with a BA but no previous field work experience, the Fulbright program offers the opportunity to explore a discipline and to create a frame work for scholarly inquiry guided by oneís own thinking, insights, and understanding.  This creates moments of great frustration, but also moments of exhilaration and accomplishment that make the hardships and wrong turns seem very worthwhile. 
 
It is my hope that in describing my own process of ìfindingî my research focus over a period of many months in Sri Lanka, that perhaps those of you who are just now formulating your own research proposals will feel more free once you arrive in your host countries to be creative, to respond to local circumstance and current events, and to diverge from the path you had previously laid out for yourself.  It is my strong belief that Fulbrightís emphasis on process rather than product is its greatest strength, providing the opportunity for Fulbrighters to both make mistakes and learn from them.
 
Writing the initial proposal  

When I submitted my Fulbright statement of proposed study in Sri Lanka in the fall of 2001, I had never been to South Asia, but was intrigued by what I had read about the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, a grassroots Sri Lankan development organization, as I researched my senior thesis in development studies at Brown University.  I was interested in Sarvodayaís participatory development philosophy and its inclusion of spirituality as an important dimension of human needs and motivation, and I felt that the Fulbright program would offer a great opportunity to learn first-hand about Sarvodayaís work.  I also had an idea that I might want to pursue a career in microenterprise, so I prepared a proposal merging my interest and minimal experience in the field of microenterprise with my curiosity about Sarvodaya.  My proposal relied almost exclusively on correspondence with Americans who had studied or worked with Sarvodaya, who explained some of the technical aspects of the microenterprise projects that the Sarvodaya Womenís Movement was undertaking.
 
As I was formulating my research plans, I had little more than a basic awareness of the civil conflict in Sri Lanka.  My attitude towards the conflict was that, as it was mostly confined to the North and East regions of the country, it most likely would not affect my work and I could carry on with my research while more or less ignoring the political situation in the country.  Looking back, I can see what a naÔve attitude this was, but at the time it seemed like a safe and reasonable approach.
 
When I learned that I had been granted one of six junior Fulbright fellowships to Sri Lanka for 2002-2003 to pursue my research on Sarvodayaís microenterprise programs for women, I had no idea that it would take me a good five months in Sri Lanka to feel oriented, six months to come up with a solid research plan, and nine months (the entire length of my stay in Sri Lanka) to feel that I really had a grasp on how to conduct field research and what to expect from a field visit.
 
Settling in and taking stock  

The first thing I realized when I settled in at Sarvodayaís headquarters in Moratuwa, a half-hourís bus ride south of the capital city, Colombo, was that my entire research proposal was based on outdated information, and that the program I had proposed to study (the Sarvodaya Womenís Movement) was almost entirely inactive and was running only a few half-hearted projects. 
 
I decided to spend the first three months of my stay living and working at Sarvodaya headquarters in order to gain a better sense of the various programs and initiatives that operated under the broad structure of the Sarvodaya Movement, and in order to regroup and identify a new area of study.
 
At first I was nervous that the Fulbright program would take issue with this approach, and that perhaps I needed to have a solid research plan that I could at least pretend to be following, but a meeting with the director of the Sri Lanka Fulbright program, Tissa Jayatilake, assured me that it was quite normal for Fulbrighters to revise their research proposals and that he had no problem with a revision as long as it was clear that I was engaged in the pursuit of a research topic.  
 
At the same time, I was undergoing a political education that taught me a great lesson in thinking about the role of conflict in society.  I slowly came to understand that the civil conflict in Sri Lanka, which has been ongoing for more than 20 years, in some way affected nearly every aspect of life on the island and that understanding the conflict was crucial to understanding Sri Lankan society. 
 
Learning through apprenticeship and hands-on work experience  

Based on this growing understanding, I chose to apprentice myself to Sarvodayaís 5R unit, which coordinated programs and services in the conflict-affected areas of the North and East (named for the five ëRís: relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction, reconciliation, and reawakening ñ the latter being Sarvodayaís unique contribution, drawn from the Buddhist emphasis on ìawakeningî as an essential aspect of spiritual development), and spent the next three months assisting them with grant writing and negotiation and traveling as permitted to parts of the East coast to understand how the conflict had affected people at the village level.[1]
 
Through conversations about my work and research with other members of the NGO and research community in Colombo (both Sri Lankan as well as European, American and Japanese), I gradually came to understand the way that Sarvodaya was perceived by those involved with social services and research.  The international NGOs viewed Sarvodayaís work with skepticism.  They saw 30 years or so of various grants and funding from outside organizations with dubious results in terms of improved standard of living, increased participation of villagers, increased social harmony, etc.  Sarvodaya claimed to be active in more than 50,000 villages island-wide, but had little in terms of documentation to back up this claim, and did not have a good track record of documenting long-term results of their work.
 
On the other hand, my own observation told me that Sarvodayaís membership and activities were very strong in some villages and weak in others, depending largely on the quality of local and regional leadership.  The organization clearly contributed to improvements in villagersí well-being in some of the villages I visited, where Sarvodaya ran well-attended preschools of active, curious children or where a water project allowed villagers to collect their daily water outside their homes instead of walking for miles a day to the nearest well, as they had previously.
 
Some of the international NGOs also felt mistrustful of Sarvodayaís Buddhist and spiritual philosophy and orientation, although many NGO staff people simply felt that they did not understand the role that Sarvodayaís philosophy played in their work, and felt more or less neutral to it.  Still, many members of the Sri Lankan and international academic community viewed Sarvodayaís Buddhist orientation with varying levels of skepticism and distrust, which in a society in which ethnicity was linked to religious belief, and in which the two major ethnic groups were engaged in civil warfare, seemed to be quite healthy.
 
(Finally!) Identifying a workable project
 
It was through my increased awareness and sensitivity to the power dynamics in Sri Lankan society, and through my gradual understanding of some of the criticisms of Sarvodayaís Buddhist affiliation and Sinhalese leadership, that I finally identified my research project.  After spending four months in the Colombo area with periodic field visits, I felt ready to spend some time in villages and, with the help of a translator, to interview villagers involved with Sarvodaya at the local level. 
 
I decided to focus my research on the cultural interface between the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement and the three major ethnic groups in Sri Lanka: Sinhalese, Tamil, and Muslim. Sarvodaya claims to have universal appeal and application, but much of its philosophy is derived from Buddhist principles.  In my village level research, I sought to answer questions such as: Do villagers perceive Sarvodaya to be a Buddhist organization? Has Sarvodaya successfully integrated itself into the multiethnic reality of Sri Lanka, and, if so, how?  Do all ethnic groups participate equally in Sarvodayaís programs, meetings, and cultural events?
 
Creating a field methodology  

Identifying my research focus was a major hurdle, but it was only the first of many.  Next I had to identify a methodology, which felt to me like reinventing the wheel, as I had very little guidance as to what methods of field research would be most useful, which would be ìacceptedî by the academic establishment, etc.  In consultation with my local academic advisor and one of the senior US Fulbright scholars, I gradually identified a research plan. 
 
I selected a geographic area for my research that was multiethnic and in the central region, away from the areas most heavily affected by the conflict.  In part, my choice was guided by the strength of the Sarvodayaís regional office, which I felt confident would assist me in my project, and which I believed to be likely to have village-level Sarvodaya groups that were active enough to be worthy of study.  I found a translator who was willing to work with me for a nominal fee ñ a young Tamil man who had just started working for Sarvodaya but who did not yet seem to have a strong understanding of Sarvodayaís work (and therefore, did not have a strong ìbiasî), who spoke fluent Sinhalese and Tamil.  I was aware that, in an ideal world, I would have separate Tamil and Sinhalese translators so that the individuals I interviewed would feel safer making comments and observations about ethnicity (as they would be speaking with someone from the same ethnic group), but I could not afford it and couldnít identify a good Sinhalese translator, so I accepted this limitation and went ahead.
 
I visited four villages in the Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya region of Sri Lanka: one Tamil village, one Sinhalese village, and two villages of mixed ethnicity that included Tamil, Sinhalese, and Muslim villagers.  I stayed an average of three or four days in each village, interviewing as many villagers from a balance of the ethnic groups as possible in individual interviews, as well as conducting two separate ìfocus groupsî with men and women in each village.  My questionnaire, which I had had translated in to Sinhalese and Tamil by a university professor and a scholar at a local research institute, slowly evolved as I understood which questions villagers responded to, and which they did not.  I planned to expand my research to Puttalam district in the West, another multi-ethnic region, but ran out of time.
 
Conclusion: Reaping the benefits of flexibility  

In the end, I felt moderately satisfied with my research experience and very satisfied with my Fulbright experience.  Although my ìresultsî were, perhaps predictably, unremarkable and rather surface-level, I nevertheless was proud of having undertaken the process, making mistakes along the way and learning from them, so that I can now say that I have done field research, and I can also say that I would do it entirely different next time around.  I am aware that Fulbright offered me a remarkable gift that most scholars never receive ñ the opportunity to test a discipline, to create from scratch a methodology, to make mistakes and come up with questionable ìresultsî that may never be published, but that have aided me immeasurably as a scholar and independent thinker. 
 
Perhaps even more importantly, I also benefited from the hospitality of innumerable Sri Lankan villagers, including many Muslims who, in the first months of the US war in Iraq, welcomed me despite my nationality and answered my questions without hesitation.
 
Next time, I will conduct my research differently, but next time the circumstances will, no doubt, be completely different.  I will, most likely, conduct research as a Masterís or Ph.D. candidate, under the guidance of a university department and under the pressure of having to achieve specific results (such as a thesis) ñ my focus will be much narrower, and I will, undoubtedly get more done, but I will have lost the freedom that Fulbright offered me to respond to what I found, to allow serendipity to be the primary guiding force in my research and my experience, and to allow relationships and friendships to guide the focus of my inquiry.

Back to Table of Contents
 

Q & A: General Questions Answered

by IIE Staff

Previous Experience Abroad

Q 1: I am currently serving in the Peace Corps. Will my P.C. service adversely affect my application for a Fullbright grant to study at an English University?

A: Your Peace Corps service will not affect your application for a Fulbright. The only instance when Peace Corps experience could adversely affect an application is when a candidate is applying for a grant to the same country in which he/she had the PC experience, especially if the PC experience was in the previous year. - Walter Jackson, Publicity Manager.

Q 2: My question relates to the Fulbright committee's treatment of traveled candidates. I have worked on projects in several African countries, and in eastern Europe, as well as having completed my undergraduate studies abroad (Paris, France). I wonder if my chances of gaining a Fulbright are reduced -- because the committee seeks out applicants with mostly domestic experience. Is it helpful that my proposal represents an experience entirely new to me?

A: Your Fulbright application would only be negatively impacted if you already have a lot of experience in the country to which you are applying. Travel to and experience in other countries are not a negative factor. - Valerie Hymas, Europe & Eurasia Program Manager

Q 3: I studied abroad for my junior year and am returning to my home university for my final year. How should I list this under question number 21, "Education," on page 3 of the application? I have remained enrolled at my home university for the full 4 years of my undergraduate work. Should I list the university I studied abroad at separately in the education section for 2003-2004, and list my home university twice - once for 2001-2003 and once for 2004-2005? Or should I simply list my home university for 2001-2005 and include my study abroad experience only in question 25, "Foreign Experience," on page 4 of the application? Thank you!

A: I've seen applicants list junior year study-abroad experience in both of the ways you have given above, so one method is not preferred or required. - Jermaine Jones, Africa, Near East, North Africa Program Manager

Q 4: For persons who have studied abroad as an undergraduate, is a transcript from the foreign institution required as well, or is it sufficient to have the credit posted on the transcript of the American educational institution of record? Also, because I was unable to complete the undergraduate study abroad due to family crises at home, I did not receive grades/certificates for my time abroad. Will this have a negative impact on my Fulbright application?

A: If this work is noted on your undergraduate transcript, then this is fine. If the courses are listed on your transcript with a mark of "withdrawal" or "drop," then you should explain this in you CV. - Jody Dudderar, Western Hemisphere Program Manager.

Q 5: Answers to other questions say that a year of study in the country to which you're applying is a disadvantage, but is that true even if the study has not yet happened at the time of application? I will be going to that country to begin study this year, and am applying for a grant for the following year.

A: If you are studying in a graduate program in the host country prior to taking up a grant, your application will be severely disadvantaged. In some country programs, it would render you ineligible. Contact the IIE program manager for your country if you have a question about this. - Jody Dudderar, Western Hemisphere Program Manager.

Project Proposals/Personal Statements/CV

Q 6: My project doesn't really offer anything in the way of promoting cultural understanding (ex. hard science projects). Am I still a competitive candidate?

A: Certainly, because there are other ways that you can promote mutual, not necessarily cultural, understanding outside of your project while in-country. You are encouraged to get involved in cultural and/or community activities, as this is basic to the philosophy of the Fulbright program. Everyone can do this no matter what projects they are doing. Examples include: teaching English or American studies, volunteering with a charitable organization, spending a weekend painting a school or helping to restore a national monument/park area. - Valerie Hymas, Europe & Eurasia Program Manager

Q 7: Where can I access sample copies of past project proposals/personal statements?

A: Past projects and CVs are not available for review. However, if you are interested in the types of projects that have been selected in past years, please look at the Directories of Fellows on our website at www.iie.org/fulbright/us in the Fulbright News & Publicity link. - Walter Jackson, Publicity Manager.

Q 8: Is priority given to applicant's whose proposals are one year long? I read that it is not recommended to enroll in a degree program in the host institution; however, I intend to apply to an MA 2year program and hope to use the Fulbright to assist in my first year of study...and then use personal funds for the second year. Am I at a disadvantage?

A: In your proposal, you should indicate that you plan to complete the 2nd year of the program with personal finds. Unless indicated otherwise in the country summary, enrollment in a degree program is not necessarily a disadvantage. - Jody Dudderar, Western Hemisphere Program Manager.

Q 9: I'm applying for a Fulbright for the year after I graduate. As a graduating senior, how specific does my study proposal have to be? I have an interest in a few general fields of study, and narrowing it down to something very specific leaves me with so many options it is difficult to know what to do. How broad is too broad? And if I do have a very specific proposal, will I be limited if, in the course of my research, I decide to take it in a slightly different direction?

A: First, your project needs to be focused enough to accomplish in one academic year. If it is too broad, it will not be feasible; if it is too focused, it won't be a year long effort. You should spesk to an academic adviser on structuring the project timeline and methodology. Many grantees find that they need to make adjustments to their project after working in the host country. The Fulbright Commission or Post, as well as your host country affiliation, will provide supervision and assistance when modifications are needed. - Jody Dudderar, Western Hemisphere Program Manager.

Q 10: I'm a playwright, and I wish to apply for the Fulbright through the creative writing category. I've been told that there is a 10-page limit to writing samples. However, one page of a playscript can be read in one minute, whereas a page of prose can take much longer. Are there exceptions to the limit, or should I just try to find the most profound bit of the play? Also, is it better to have two five-page snippets to show variety?

A: The 10-page limit applies to all creative writing applicants-be they playwrights, poets, novelists, etc. -so there are no exceptions to this. However, it would be perfectly fine for you to submit two 5-page writing samples. - Jermaine Jones, Africa, Near East, North Africa Program Manager

Q 11: I am submitting a portfolio for research in architecture and wanted to know if photographic slides were the only method I can use to present my visual ideas. Another way to document and show my portfolio would be to make a small book or other visual document.

A: Photographic slides are not mandatory for architecture candidates-hard copy drawings, graphics, sketches and other materials are also perfectly acceptable. In other words, a small book or other visual document would be fine. - Jermaine Jones, Africa, Near East, North Africa Program Manager

Q 12: As I am writing my CV, I feel as though it is more of a story of my life and why I am interested in the research that I am pursuing. However, I feel like it is becoming a bit informal. How formal should the CV be, and should it read like a story?

A: The CV can be written in a manner that reflects you, your interests, and your personal background. It is in your voice and if that is informal, then it is fine. It is the one opportunity that you have to express your personality and you may determine the most appropriate way to do this. - Jody Dudderar, Western Hemisphere Program Manager.

Host Affiliation

Q 13: Do most Fulbright recipients who are recent graduates affiliate with a university in their host country? Are other affiliations (non-profit organizations, centers and institutes, etc.) allowed or encouraged?

A: All Fulbright grantees, regardless of where they are going or what they will be doing, must have a host country affiliation. The nature of that affiliation is first, country-specific and second, related to the candidate's project. Information on the types of affiliations required is in the Individual Country Summaries on our website in the Fulbright Grant Opportunities link. Graduating seniors, as a general rule, tend to affiliate with host country universities and take courses. - Walter Jackson, Publicity Manager.

Q 14: If I need to have an affiliation with a university, do I need to apply to the university and gain acceptance this fall? Or can it be a less formal "affiliation"?

A: You will not need to apply and gain acceptance to a college or university in order to be affiliated with it. While the nature of the relationship between you and your prospective host institution may ultimately depend on your project needs and what the institution can offer, you should know that less formal affiliations are perfectly acceptable. - Jermaine Jones, Africa, Near East, North Africa Program Manager

Q 15: I've researched and made contact with affiliates in my interested country. I've chosen a university that has a good reputation on evaluation and research, which I'm hoping will aid my studies. I've already submitted my application for a one-year program with them, if approved then my courses will begin in January 2005, will I be disqualified because I started my academic year before the grant period?

A: If you are studying in a graduate program in the host country prior to taking up a grant, your application will be disadvantaged. In some country programs, it would render you ineligible. Contact the IIE program manager for your country if you have a question about this. - Jermaine Jones, Africa, Near East, North Africa Program Manager

Letter of Recommendation

Q 16: Does each letter of recommendation need to be written by a professor who has taught you in a college course? I ask this question because I am rather close to a professor who is in my major department, but I have not yet taken one of his courses. He knows a great deal about me, however, especially since he organizes the foreign exchange program that I took part in last year. Because I think he could write a strong recommendation for me, I would like to ask him to write one, but as I am not sure whether he is eligible to do so, I thought I would inquire about that. Thank you very much.

A: There is no eligibility requirement for recommendation letter writers, so it would be perfectly fine for you to ask this professor to draft a reference for you. Keep in mind, though, that your referees will need to comment on you, your proposed Fulbright project, and your ability to carry it out successfully-so you'll want to be certain that whoever you ask to write a letter for you can cover all of these bases in their statement. -By Jermaine Jones, Africa, Near East, North Africa Program Manager

Language

Q 17: How do you recommend getting a "certified" language report? I have been out of school for two years and have lost touch with my language professor. How might I demonstrate and prove my level of language proficiency? Thanks.

A: The foreign language proficiency report form does not necessarily need to be completed by a teacher with whom you have studied. It can be completed by another language professor, or professional language teacher. If the language being evaluated is one of the commonly taught and acquired foreign languages in the US, e.g., Spanish, French, German, Italian, etc., the form must be completed by a language professor or professional language teacher. If the language is one of those not commonly taught, e.g., Shona, Hausa, Tagalog, Quechua, etc. a native speaker can complete the form. But that native speaker of the language cannot be a family member. -By Walter Jackson, Publicity Manager.

Others

Q 18: May US Students who have already been awarded a Fulbright be awarded another one while still a student?

A: After three years, a past US Student Fulbrighter may apply for a 2nd US Student Fulbright grant. However, they will be considered very low priority candidates, and it is highly recommended that they do not apply to go back to the same country as the original Fulbright grant. - Valerie Hymas, Europe & Eurasia Program Manager

Q 19: Are there judges/specialists in each specific field or are they general? For example, are there judges for music composition?

A: Most Screening Committees are comprised of country or regional specialists representing several fields. However, applications in the arts (where supplementary materials are required), teaching assistantships, and Business Programs are reviewed by professionals and/or university faculty in the field. - Jody Dudderar, Western Hemisphere Program Manager.

Q 20: Is it possible to apply for a Fulbright for one year of a longer period of study? (For example, the first year of a two-year masters program?)

A: Yes, this is possible as long as it is for the first year of study. Be sure to note in your proposal how you will fund the second year, as Fulbright will not cover this. - Jody Dudderar, Western Hemisphere Program Manager.

Q 21: What support do you provide for married applicants (w/out children), if any?

A: Some grants provide a small dependent's allowance. See the individual country summaries for information. - Jody Dudderar, Western Hemisphere Program Manager

Q 22: I started a masters program, and realized halfway through it wasn't for me (this was two years ago). Yet, I have graduate credits; should I include my one year of classes/my transcript on my application even though I don't plan on completing the degree?

A: Yes, it provides relevant information about your academic background. - Jody Dudderar, Western Hemisphere Program Manager

Q 23: On the application, there are two sections asking for information on extracurricular activities, fellowships. Should we provide different information in each of these sections, or should they mirror each other?

A: Page 1A asks for an abbreviated listing of these activities, so choose the highlights. This is a summary page for review purposes. Page 2, question 23 allows space for you to expand on the list. You must keep to the space limits in each section. - Jody Dudderar, Western Hemisphere Program Manager

Q 24: I have a BA, and will be working toward a masters, but because of the difference in the school system where I'm going, they are having me spend a year or two in the bachelors program before proceeding to the masters. Can I still apply for a Fulbright for one of these years?

A: Since there are restrictions in some countries, it would be best to speak with the IIE program manager for the country and describe the particulars of your situation. - Jody Dudderar, Western Hemisphere Program Manager.

Q 25: I recently received my BA, and the Fulbright adviser from my alma mater thinks that I can still apply through my former university as my host institution even though I'm no longer enrolled in any classes. Is this true, or do I need to apply at-large?

A: You can still apply from your alma mater as long as the Fulbright Program Adviser on campus agrees to handle your application. - Valerie Hymas, Europe & Eurasia Program Manager



Back to Table of Contents
 

Q &A: Country Questions Answered

by IIE Staff

East Asia & Pacific Area

 

Q 1: I have a question specifically regarding affiliation for students intending study in China - the Fulbright website specifies that students will receive affiliation FOLLOWING selection. Are students therefore not required to specify in their applications an institution or university with which they would like to be affiliated, but rather a more generalized program of study? I am particularly interested in graduating undergraduate senior applicants. Thank you for your assistance.

 

A: Applicants to China should try to identify their preferred institution of affiliation and indicate the choice in their project proposals (although it is not required, it does help the application). If possible, each applicant should try to obtain a letter of support from the professor or advisor with whom he or she seeks to work. When an applicant receives a Fulbright Award to China, IIE and the U.S. Embassy in Beijing will work together to formalize the affiliation arrangement.

 

Q 2: I am applying for a Fulbright to the University of Melbourne, Australia for a project in Gender Studies. The program is for two years, and their academic year begins in February, so I would be beginning in Feb. 2005. Would I still be eligible to receive a Fulbright under these special circumstances--beginning earlier than normal?

 

A: You are not eligible for the Fulbright Award if you are planning to begin the project in February 2005.

 

Q 3: I am a U.S. citizen born abroad in the Philippines, a country that recognizes dual citizenship. And, the country where I would like to conduct my research. Although, I was born abroad, I believe I am not qualified for dual-citizenship. In any event, with having the notion of possibly being eligible for dual-citizenship disqualify me to study in the Philippines?

 

A: If you are a U.S. citizen, you are eligible to apply for a Fulbright U.S. Student Award.

 

Q 4: I am formulating my study plan around Film/Media Studies in New Zealand. I want to earn a master's in this field by creating a thesis project. Here's the tentative outline: study how the medium promotes community and civic involvement (comparatively between the US and NZ), write an abbreviated thesis, and create an accompanying documentary. Should I apply in the Creative and Performing Arts category? (I have significant production experience and could submit a demo reel.) Considering the country and the idea, in which category will my application be more competitive?

 

A: Your competitiveness completely depends on your skill set. If you apply in filmmaking then you will be screened by a committee of filmmakers who will be judging you first and foremost on your skills with the camera. You have to judge for yourself which Field of Study is more appropriate for you.

 

Q 5: My question is regarding when a potentional Fulbright would be dispersed. Because the Thai semester begins in June, for the 2005-2006 year, would the fellowship be dispersed in June of 2005 and run through the following academic year?

 

A: Fulbright grants do not have to correspond exactly to the academic year in the host country. June 2005 is too early for a Fulbright grant to begin, and you should adjust your research proposal accordingly, depending on your academic needs.


South Asia

 

Q 6: The previous newsletter stated that an undergraduate study abroad experience does not having any effect on a Fulbright application to that same country. Is this still true for India, where the country description states that preference is given to candidates who have not visited in the last 3 years?

 

A: You'll need to go with the information given in the India country summary. Do keep in mind, though, that this is only a preference factor-which means that you would not automatically be disqualified if you've been to India in the past three years. In short, you should not let this dissuade you from applying if this is what you want to do.


Europe

 

Q 7: I am applying for a Fulbright grant to begin graduate study in the U.K. (first year of a two-year program). My father and several of my half-siblings live in the U.K., though I have never spent more than 3 months there. Would it be helpful, hindering, or indifferent to mention in my application that I have family in the country to which I am applying?

 

A: This fact will not be a disadvantage to your application, but you should mention it in the section that asks about your international travel experience. It will explain why you have had frequent short-term visits to the UK.

 

Q 8: I would like to study environmental engineering issues in Poland, but noticed most of the past Fulbright recipients there have been related to arts and social issues. Are science projects harder to place? What steps should I take increase my chances of being able to study there?

 

A: Science projects are absolutely welcome to Poland. It is true that most of the past projects have involved the humanities and history, but this just means that we haven't received many applications in other fields (not that there is any prejudice against the sciences). To strengthen your application I can recommend two things. 1. Begin learning Polish if you don't know it already to show that you are also interested in the culture and society of Poland. 2. Find a host institution/supervisor in Poland supportive of your project and ask that they write a letter of support to include in your application.

 

Q 9: In the description for the TA grant in Hungary it states that TAs will be "teaching six 90 minute classes a week". Does this mean that TAs will be expected to develop six classes, complete with reading lists or are they expected to assistant teach these six classes?

 

A: They are expected to assist in the teaching of these six classes as conversational coaches. Although, some lesson planning may be necessary as well.


Western Hemisphere

 

Q 10: I'm not clear on what type of research proposal I should develop to accompany a proposal for an English Teaching Assistantship in Argentina. Does it have to be a research project about education, or can it be about anything? Also, do I need to establish university contacts for my project ahead of time?

 

A: Research topic can be about anything. ETA's are placed at universities by the Fulbright program.

 

Q 11: If I'm applying to a country in the Southern Hemisphere and will be affiliated with a university is it possible to start in their second semester, and finish in their first (assuming this is approved by the University)?

 

A: Yes, if it is approved by the host university, then you may start in the second semester. However, be aware that most grants are 8-10 months in duration, so you will not be able to complete more than one semester under the auspices of the Fulbright grant.

 

Q 12: I am a US citizen who grew up in Europe, attended a US University (undergraduate studies) and then joined the Peace Corps/ El Salvador. I want to do research in Argentina and Brazil. Can I apply for the Fulbright grant opportunities? Am I at a disadvantage due to my already vast international experience? Thank you for your response.

 

A: Of course you can. Prior experience refers to experience in the host country, not international experience.

 

Q 13: My project will address the relationship between public health and indigenous cultures in Panama. I've found that the University of Panama would be a great academic affiliate institution for my project. Do I have to apply there simultaneously? What sort of written support would I need from them? I already have support from an NGO in Panama but since I'm graduating in May I was looking for an academic institution to affiliate with.

 

A: During the application stage, you need to contact the appropriate academic department and discuss your research/study interest to determine their interest in having you as a student. A letter of support could include a statement of departmental interest in your project, a statement indicating access to research materials and facilities, a statement outlining mentoring or supervisory support, a statement indicating appropriate coursework, and so on. These are individualized depending on the nature of the relationship that the applicant is seeking with the affiliate.

 

Q 14: Panama's academic year is from March until December. I don't graduate until May. Is it possible (assuming approval of the University there) to start in their second semester in August and finish the following June after their official 'first semester'?

 

A: If the university concurs, then yes you may begin in August. However, Fulbright grants to Panama are for 10 months and you may have to fund yourself for several weeks at the end of the first semester.

 

Q 15: I am applying for my Research Project in Trinidad and Tobago, but I noticed that there was no specific number of openings for that country. Does this mean there is only one or does it mean that the number of openings has not been determined?

 

A: All Central America and the Caribbean form a regional grant program. This means that there are designated number of dollars to be allocated among recommended applicants to the region. There are no country quotas; the strongest applications from the regional pool are selected. Having said that, each country is generally allocated at least one grant.

 

Q 16: Are students allowed to apply for more than one program? For instance, I'm interested in the Mercosur multi-country program. However, I would also like to apply to study in Argentina.

 

A: No, you must select one and only one program to which to apply.

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Tips: Developing a Project & Establishing a Host Affiliation

by Valerie Hymas, Program Manager, Europe, Eurasia, Central Asia

1. Applicants must carefully read the criteria for host affiliation requirements in the summary for the country to which they are applying.† Countries differ in the kinds of host affiliations that are acceptable. Some countries will place the Fulbrighters while others leave the responsibility for securing host affiliation entirely up to the grantee.† Others will work somewhere in between expecting the grantee to identify a host affiliation and make initial contact, but will then help to formalize the affiliation after the grant is awarded.† Make sure you know what is expected of you as an applicant, and what kind of host is allowed for your country.
 
2. In countries where it is up to the grantee to find and secure affiliations IIE cannot provide a list of past hosts.† Past Fulbrighters have used a number of ways to contact hosts and solicit support for their projects. One main way is to use the contacts and advisers that you already have. Ask if one of your current professors can help to put you into contact with a professor at a university overseas. Other than that, some committed research and perseverance will aid you in finding a host affiliation.† Once you find a possible host make contact by sending an introductory letter or email.† Keep in mind that many schools are closed during the summer months so you may want to begin early, or heat up your search in the early fall.
 
3. Candidates considering completing a degree program must make sure that the country they are applying to will accept such a project.† Some countries do not recommend that applicants apply to do a degree program for a number of reasons. One may be because it is not possible to complete a degree in one academic year.† Another can be because the tuition fees that a degree candidate would be charged would not be covered by the Fulbright grant.† Applicants should review the country summaries for the country(s) of their choice to determine if there is any restriction to applying to complete a degree program. If you apply for a degree program to a country that does not offer tuition funding and the tuition fees are not part of the Fulbright funding package, then these costs must be covered from an alternative source.† Again, please check the country summaries for more information.
 
One country that prefers proposals from applicants proposing to complete degree programs and pays full tuition for the first academic year is the United Kingdom.† This is one reason why the competition to the UK is so fierce.
 
If your plan is to complete a masters degree or other structured degree program make sure that you apply for admission to the host university by their deadline.† Do not wait for the Fulbright decision to come through or you may be too late in gaining admission into your chosen university.
 
4. If you are applying for admission into a study/masters program then you do not need to submit the letter of admission with the application. You can submit the acceptance letter whenever you receive it, but an award offer would be contingent upon you receiving placement at a university.  However, if you are not planning to matriculate at a university then a support/affiliation should be included with your application.†† Any documentation of support that you can obtain from a potential host will help to make your application more competitive.  The letter will also demonstrate that your project proposal is feasible, as it will show that you have in-country support.  Even if you are applying to do a structured degree program, obtaining a letter of support from a faculty member at the host university will compliment your application.
 
5. There are no specific requirements for the letter of support. Every affiliation relationship will be different depending upon the candidateís project.† In general, letters of support on institutional letterhead sent with the application are preferred.† The letters should state how the supervisor/host institution will help the applicant to facilitate the project (i.e.,what resources will be offered, what kind of supervision will be given,etc).† Some applicants propose to do independent research so these letters of support are more crucial to establishing the feasibility of a project.† Other applicants propose study projects so letters of support are really a complement to the overall application,but attest to feasibility. Therefore, you should try to get a letter of support that is as detailed as possible, but ultimately it is up to your host affiliation as to the level/kind of support that they wish to offer you.
 
6. Unfortunately, IIE cannot ask more than one screening committee to review applications from applicants proposing multi-disciplinary projects in more than one field.† Almost all creative/performing arts projects involve some kind of study or research as well as practical training.† Therefore, you need to decide what the primary focus of your project is and choose that field when submitting your application.† Keep in mind that creative/performing artists must also submit supplementary materials in addition to the written application. Therefore, if you do not feel that your work to date in the arts is of the best quality you may want to apply using an academic field of study to have your application reviewed in the best light possible.
 
7. Applicants submitting multi-country proposals must have a very good justification for putting forward such a project.† Keep in mind that you are doubling or tripling the work involved with securing host institution affiliation not to mention obtaining visas and finding housing,etc.† Also, multi-country proposals that are recommended by IIE must be approved by each of the relevant host countries before they can be granted.† If one country says no then your project is no longer feasible. Generally, you will be given the option to revise the proposal for the remaining countries that approve of your original project.†


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The World’s Southernmost Fulbrighter

by Christopher Anderson

Being from the Southeastern portion of the United States, I have always identified myself as a Southerner.† But now after my Fulbright experience in Puerto Williams, the worldís southernmost town, I have truly earned the title.† Southern Chile includes many mythical place names, such as Cape Horn, Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego.† It also houses one of the worldís largest and most pristine intact wilderness areas.†
 
This relatively unknown and mythical part of Chile was where I was able to develop my Ph.D. dissertation in ecology with a Fulbright Fellowship and the local support of the University of Magallanes and the Omora Foundation.† My research dealt directly with the ecosystem effects of the North American beaver (Castor canadensis) on the ecosystems of the Cape Horn area.† The beaver is an exotic species in Chile, introduced in the 1940s in the hopes of creating a fur industry.† While the fur industry failed, the beaver succeeded, and is now an economic and ecological plague over much of the region.† My dissertation studied its impacts in this non-native ecosystem and explored why as an exotic species it could become so invasive and detrimental.†
 
Science for the sake of science, in my opinion, is no science at all.† Due to my local partners, I was fortunately able to integrate my project with relevant social initiatives, such as education programs and public policy development.† For example, working in Puerto Williamsí only school, we taught a weekly environmental education class.  The final product was to produce a series of posters and a teacher'­s manual that described the ìmicro-biodiversity of Cape Horn (see www.omora.org).  
 
It is often lamented that there are very few large, charismatic species in southern Chile, but in reality it is truly a jungle.† Approximately 500 moss, 400 liverwort and 500 lichen species inhabit the Cape Horn area, compared to less than 10 tree species.† This figure is equivalent to 7% of the worldís non-vascular plant diversity, making southern Chile a world biodiversity hotspot for these tiny plants.  A challenge for scientists is to make it possible for students and the general public to understand and thereby be able to appreciate these miniature forests.
 
In policy development I was able to collaborate with researchers and authorities from diverse institutions and public services to integrate science into decision-making in several realms.† First, a regional plan for the control of exotic species has allowed my work to pass from theory to application in order to remedy the disaster of introduced species, including the beaver.† Additionally, the initiative to declare the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve has provided me a forum to interact with local, regional, national and international authorities and truly experience the process of integrating science and policy in order to plan for ecotourism and sustainable development in the area, issues which I plan to continue as a career in international environmental policy after the completion of my Ph.D.

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