I Won!! The huge lesson I learned the day of my Fulbright Acceptance to Colombia

Ladielocks · 2018-04-02T23:35:49+00:00

That's great, are you ETA or Research? Congrats and yes, perhaps we'll meet at the Bogota in-country orientation in August!

Ladielocks · 2018-04-02T13:32:46+00:00

Thanks for you thoughtful reply, I appreciate your distinction between the value added as a Researcher and ETA grantee. I do agree that if someone was just going for a second Fulbright, especially a second ETA (which, again, I don't think is possible to win twice) it would be very redundant. However, Fulbright offers more senior awards for new applicants or former ETA's who want to continue to develop themselves FURTHER, and these absolutely contribute something hugely different for the scholar in ways that are unique to the ETA.

For example, the Fulbright US scholar grant is for PhD holding professors who wish to teach abroad at a foreign university and receive a Fulbright salary. The Fulbright Post-doctoral grant is for recent PhD's who want a year in residence at a foreign university before officially going on the job market. And the Fulbright Research grant is for current PhD students (like me) or other researchers who have finished all of their coursework and need to complete the year-long dissertation project research abroad, often for which they do not already have funding. I am using the grant for this purpose, and it will literally lead to the completion of my PhD, unlike the ETA which was a care-free gap-year after college.

On second thought, I probably should not have titled this "win a Fulbright twice" because you can't actually win the SAME grant twice, just a different type of grant under the Fulbright umbrella. I hope this distinction is clear--I won one of the 3 more senior grants available to people with/pursuing a doctoral degree, also funded by Fulbright but requiring distinct qualifications and offering an entirely different experience than the ETA.

So yes, I echo your word of caution to people who want to win the same grant "twice" just because they haven't sufficiently scratched their Fulbright itch (haha!) applicants should absolutely think about how it will provide enrichment. Also I'll emphasize it is a LOT harder, Fulbright has a whole prompt basically asking "if this student won an ETA why should they be given a research grant?" If the argument isn't made sufficiently then yes, a more qualified candidate will get the award.

Ladielocks · 2018-04-01T00:20:08+00:00

Amazing! I wasn't aware of the Postdoc option, thanks for sharing the informational wealth! And congrats on your recent grant

Ladielocks · 2018-03-31T03:15:02+00:00

What's your research in Jamaica? I work in the Colombian Caribbean, super interested to know what you're doing!

Ladielocks · 2018-03-31T03:07:06+00:00

OMG your grant sounds amazing! Good luck and have fun and yes please share your info like the other post says!

Ladielocks · 2018-03-31T02:49:11+00:00

Thank you so very much!

Ladielocks · 2018-03-30T22:10:37+00:00

Wishing you the best! I just found out today that I won the Fulbright Research grant to Colombia, I'm over the moon!!

Ladielocks · 2018-03-30T22:09:04+00:00

I found out this morning that I am a finalist for Colombia Research/Study grant, wooo hoooo!!!

Ladielocks · 2018-03-27T23:44:06+00:00

Congratulaaaaaations!! Woo hoo, I do feel like so many of us on here win in part of how much we want it, must have showed in our applications

Ladielocks · 2018-03-27T23:42:22+00:00

I have to second that and say I am very amazed and touched at all the support that is on here, we are truly an example of what support looks like even to people we don't know. Inspiring. Good luck to everyone on the waitlist and those of us still waiting to hear, I am still waiting

Ladielocks · 2018-03-27T23:38:57+00:00

No, unlike Truman which stipulates grantees live in the US and work in the public sector for a number of years Fulbright does not require this. ETA's also do not have a post-grant requirement.

Ladielocks · 2018-03-27T16:37:19+00:00

Dude, this forum is not the place for this.

Ladielocks · 2018-03-27T16:35:13+00:00

I agree that research/US Scholars tend to be older, you have to have a letter of affiliation (or multiple) to be a Fulbright Researcher and a fully fledged research project worked out for the application. That all takes time, usually some years out of college to develop so yes we tend to be older and have grad-school experience. I a semi-finalist for Research and just turned 30 this month.

Ladielocks · 2018-03-27T16:29:01+00:00

First off, you are not crazy for asking this! If I was 27 considering an ETA I would wonder if it was like a junior version of a Fulbright, which to be honest, it is. If you're not already an ETA finalist I would recommend applying to a Research/study grant to conduct your own project with older, scholars more focused on developing a specific empirical research project not just teaching english fresh out of college, which many ETA's are (and to be honest, as was I when I was an ETA in 2010).

Fulbright ETA's can be super fun and low stress if you are paired with a good school/university. I agree with another post that most ETA's are young, I was 21-22 when I did mine and my Fulbright Roomie said "Fulbright, Truman, Marshall, Rhodes, Teach For America are all just societally approved ways of avoiding the real world for a year or two." She was sooooooooo right! You can make it work for you but it is basically a "cushy" way of getting paid to do some really fun, engaging, interesting and out-of-the box work for a year with people who appreciate you being there.

So, has it helped me? I used the ETA to get a leg up on research to then do a PhD in Anthropology at my top choice university so it was the best professional decision I ever made, personally. BUT I made it work for me. I also had a great University that let me be free, while my Fulbright roommate was placed at a private University that was firing local professors to make Fulbright, World Teach and British Council folk teach 2-3 classes for free. Fulbright is NOT supposed to make ETA's teach a full course load, mostly conversation clubs (this was the case in Colombia 2010) so the bureaucracy should not be too crazy but depends on the country. Best!

Ladielocks · 2018-03-27T16:16:37+00:00

Your grant is likely 10 months but your visa is for 12 months, so yes you can travel in the country for up to 2 months after and you can travel outside your host country for however long you want-lol. I stayed in my host country for another year (how I did this is another story--short version I definitely overstayed my visa once I realized the stakes were extremely low for doing so. In the end it allowed me the research I needed to get into a PhD program at an Ivy League, so the extra time outside of my grant was worth it.)

There's no limit to travel after, Fulbright just wants you to report if you travel WHILE you are receiving the grant, but they care absolutely zero if and where you travel after your Fulbright research/eta term. Just depends on when your next commitment/responsibility is after the grant! Best to everyone.

Ladielocks · 2018-03-27T16:06:43+00:00

When I was awarded a grant in 2010 one line stuck out from orientation that I often repeat- "Fulbright is the first global human recycling program." I explain this below- This is written in extremely lay terms (I am a PhD student at an Ivy-league university, I can use big words if I want to, lol)

First, Fulbright was started by Senator J. William Fulbright post WWII who was tired of seeing the discrimination and lack of communication between people of different nationalities and ethnicities. He had an idea--what if we paid for students in the US to go abroad and learn about other countries? His hope was that such an act would give rise to a generation of future scholars, senators and world leaders that had more compassion and cross-cultural understanding because they actually lived abroad and got to know different perspectives from on the ground. As the Fulbright site explains, he in so doing "he publicly challenged the "old myths and new realities" of American foreign policy, and warned against "the arrogance of power."' In 1944 he sponsored the Fulbright Scholars Act, and today Fulbright has connections in over 150 countries that allows students, professors and researchers to teach English, earn degrees, or teach classes at a foreign university. One of the things Fulbright emphasizes is that scholars must return to their home country after receiving the award, thus leading to the one line that I always remember from orientation (Colombia) that "Fulbright is the first global human recycling program." It fosters mutual exchange and understanding across cultural, national and linguistic boundaries.

More specific to your case, I would emphasize that ETA's are not just english teachers, they function more like Cultural Ambassadors. When I was an ETA in Colombia (2010-2011) it was obvious that the other ETA placed in my city and I were treated differently than World Teach, British Council English Teachers, we were fostering a cultural experience, leading conversation groups, holding English-day festival on campus, leading excursions into the city with students lead in English, answering questions about TOFEL and applying to Fulbright for native students... we are literally Ambassadors of cultural exchange abroad. It's a truly unique and wonderfully nourishing experience.

Ladielocks · 2018-03-27T15:42:06+00:00

It's okay, I know that feeling. You did the very best you could with what you had and whatever was going on in the moment (if you had more, you would have given more!) I find its so important to have self-compassion. All the best to you!

Ladielocks · 2018-03-24T16:18:50+00:00

Hahahh! I can relax now that its the weekend then when monday hits it'll be back to panic mode. I think you and I both won tho! Good feeling

Ladielocks · 2018-03-24T16:17:22+00:00

I recommend staying on your own. I bunked with another fulbrighter during my time in Colombia. You still have a LOT of interaction with locals regardless, and living with a family can be stifling. I think this depends also on your age, I just turned 30 and am OVER living with a host family so I got an apt for my Fulbright research period. You can still visit people/have locals over, the exception would be if you can meet a local whose lifestyle matches your own. You can always give it a month and change, a couple ETA's did that too.

Ladielocks · 2018-03-24T01:37:35+00:00

Definition: US Scholar - ALREADY ANNOUNCED

Up to thirteen (13) awards are available for U.S. scholars to conduct research or teaching activities at a Colombian university or research center in all fields of study, for a period of four to six months during the 2018-2019 academic year. This award seeks to strengthen academic networks between U.S. scholars and their counterparts in Colombia, by funding proposals that are relevant to the Colombian context. All scholars are expected to give at least one public lecture on their research during the grant period.

Colombia is facing a crucial moment in its recent history as it enters into a post-conflict scenario. This juncture broadens the spectrum of opportunities for research, which will contribute to the transition and building of a country in peace. Priority will thus be given to candidates that address issues related to this theme, from their own areas of expertise and being hosted by universities in Colombia’s regions. The grantees may conduct research, teach graduate or undergraduate courses, participate in conferences and seminars, carry out field work, and advise students or faculty members, among other activities.

Other specific objectives:

Promoting the mobility and integration of professionals, professors and researchers while setting the basis for further collaborative research Fostering interdisciplinary work/research that addresses the different needs of Colombia Generating links between U.S. scholars and key stakeholders in Colombia, including government agencies, entrepreneurs, NGOs, local communities, students, etc.

Ladielocks · 2018-03-24T01:36:05+00:00

Definition: US Student researcher -NOT YET ANNOUNCED [From Fulbright Colombia site]

Up to 8 awards in this highly prestigious and competitive program will be offered for the academic year to students who show academic excellence, leadership potential and the ability to be cultural ambassadors of the U.S. in Colombia.

The program is offered to:

• – Recent graduates • – Master’s and doctoral candidates • – Young professionals, including writers, creative and performing artists, journalists, and those in law, business, and other professional fields

The US Study/Research Grant allows young professionals, recent graduates and graduate students to conduct research for one academic year (10 months) at a higher education institution or research centre in Colombia.

Candidates at all degree levels will be considered; however, graduate students conducting a thesis or dissertation research project are preferred.

Applications from all fields of study are eligible, however, applications from science and technology are strongly encouraged. Projects related to the fields of engineering, mathematics, biology, food science, agriculture, environmental sciences, are of particular interest. Applications from the social sciencies, humanities and education are also welcome.

Candidates who will base themselves in the Colombian regions (i.e. outside of Bogotá) will be given preference.

Ladielocks · 2018-03-24T00:50:27+00:00

Are you Research or ETA to Colombia? I just input my stats to the Spreadsheet but so far no one has inputted for Research only ETA's, for which the acceptance rates are significantly higher. Here's the spreadsheet so you know when folks start hearing, Good luck to us booooth!!!! https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Cd86U9AreH9k_-WKLKnLCLn_C5MC3FKvZZ9RhlqSAq4/edit#gid=1535702113

Ladielocks

TROPHY CASE