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This blog, post, all related accounts are not an official Department of State publication, and that the views and information presented are the Grantee’s and do not represent the Fulbright Program, ECA, the Post, Fulbright Commission, or the host country’s government or institutions.
. . .Welcome, Fulbright applicants! You are about to embark on an extensive application process that (hopefully) will lead you on your next international adventure! The deadline is approaching in a few short months (October 10th, 2023)!
(I forgot to mention: it is free to apply to Fulbright. . .yippee!). I hope this post provides reassurance and guidance throughout the turbulent next few months of preparation, submission, and anticipation. I am a grantee/finalist for a Fulbright ETA scholarship to Uruguay. To view a timeline of my application process, scroll down to the end of this post. Please note, I am sharing this guide from an ETA (English Teaching Assistantship) perspective; therefore, the recommendations on essays and application requirements are geared towards an ETA grant. 
The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program was founded in 1946 by former President Harry S. Truman in the pursuit of funding the international exchange of students and their respective cultures, education, and research. Today, it continues to act as the largest U.S. exchange system of research and education, fostering reciprocal relationships and partnerships around the world.
Fulbright offers scholarship grants in the areas of research, study, and teaching in more than 140 countries! Awards include a stipend based on the cost of living in the corresponding host country, health and sickness benefits, a 24/7 support line, roundtrip transportation to the host country, and pre-departure orientations. In sum, the Fulbright Program is a financially accessible international exchange grant program founded on the values of global citizenship; bi-lateral, international relationships; community building; and advanced education or research. If you are interested in beginning an application, click HERE to get started! An introduction to the applicationThe majority of information regarding the application process is provided on the Fulbright website. However, if the complex hub of links and requirements overwhelms you, allow me to summarize.
When applying for a Fulbright scholarship or grant, you will need to consider a few things:
The first step in the application process –after researching the application requirements– is to contact your local Fulbright advisor! If you are currently enrolled in a university, check whether your school hosts a Fulbright advisor (the likelihood is very high!). Use the search tool below to find your advisor and their contact information! Fulbright Advisor Search Tool Seriously, my Fulbright advisor was an incredible coach, mentor, and support as I prepared my essays, letters of recommendation, and other required documents. He set deadlines and encouraged me when I doubted myself during a busy semester. And finally, he offered grounding, fantastic essay recommendations which significantly helped personalize two 1-page summaries of all my work and identity. Your advisors are wonderful resources right on campus, and they are there to help you and your application shine! 
The application components1. Biographical (background) information
2. Program information This includes three written components! 3. Statement of grant purpose 4. Personal statement 5. Foreign Language Forms (not all countries) For countries and/or grants that require language proficiency, you must complete and upload a Self-Evaluation and appoint a language teacher to complete a Foreign Language Evaluation Form. 6. Transcripts The essaysEssay #1: Statement of grant purpose
This is the first essay; one-page limit. This essay describes how you will contribute to the Fulbright program as an ETA, teaching experience, and attributes relating to cultural engagement. This essay is comparable to a teacher’s cover letter or portfolio summary. You are presenting yourself not only as an TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) educator but also as a culturally responsive emerging global citizen. Some countries (e.g. Uruguay) are seeking candidates with teaching experience and/or a teaching degree; others (e.g. Mexico) are seeking candidates from all backgrounds beyond teaching. Read the country’s description to understand what they are looking for and how to approach writing your Grant Purpose. In this compact one-page paragraph, express your values, principles of pedagogy, and lessons from the field you bring into a TESOL classroom. Although you will list your work experience in the application, bridge connections between your ideology and your experiences. If you have limited teaching experience, emphasize the experiences and skills that will guide you in an English teaching environment. Describe and name times in which you navigated new cultural or language environments! My writing suggestion for this essay: structure your paragraphs around the three points outlined on the Fulbright website. Within each paragraph, highlight a work/life experience that corresponds to each point. These extend beyond traditional work experience; talk about travel experiences, challenges learning a foreign language or English, and examples from student teaching! Essay #2: Personal Statement This is the second essay; one-page limit. Yes, it is extremely difficult to summarize your personality, identity, and history within one page. So, you need to get creative! The Fulbright website encourages you to paint a picture of yourself beyond the facts already written within the biographical information. Consider removing yourself from education, teaching, and your academic qualifications; these are already recorded in your Statement of Grant Purpose! Instead, describe the experiences and opportunities that most influenced your personal growth; briefly discuss your personal interests, hobbies, and career goals. If you feel intimidated by the page limit, here’s my recommendation. First, write an outline of the experiences, opportunities, challenges and other personalized items you would like to mention in the Statement. Brainstorm with your advisor on which of these items will help you stand out! Second, just write; let your creative juices flow, so to speak. See where that writing gets you. *I won’t give you much writing advice in this post (since you’ve received enough in your English courses). However, consider your core message and how to weave it throughout the essay. Find a way to mention your introductory story in the final paragraph or sentence. Third: edit. Depending on the length of your first draft, you may need to cut out a few sections, sentences, and even paragraphs. Identify the essential ideas, stories, and sentences that both portray your writing style and set you apart from other applicants! Fourth: keep editing until you hit one page. This is where your advisor, friend, family member, and other trusted editors come in. I find that staring at the same piece for too long prohibits me from picking out errors and potential changes. A second, third, and fourth eye comes in handy at this final editing stage! Trusted loved ones, especially, will confirm whether your Personal Statement really paints your picture. A few stories/ideas from my Personal Statement:
The letters of recommendationThe majority of information regarding the letters of recommendation is provided on the Fulbright website. You are required to upload three letters of recommendation from individuals and educators who will speak to your character, language proficiency and skills, and ability to teach English in a new cultural environment.
If you are starting your Fulbright application now, reach out to potential recommenders as soon as possible! Give yourself enough time to write the Statement of Grant Purpose. Share a copy of this document with potential recommenders; therefore, they will have a clear idea of your goals and background experience going into the specific program for which you are applying. 
1. Join Slack!
Click HERE to join the Fulbright Slack group chat! This may not be updated with the new application cycle; however, this widespread group chat comforted me during the several months of excruciating impatience for semi-finalist and finalist notifications. You can get in touch with applicants of the same country and program; ask questions about the application process; gain access to essential resources, links, and guides to prepare you for the next step in your Fulbright decision cycle; and find a community with future grantees! Through this group chat, for example, I received a tip to check my email about my finalist notification. 2. Check your email (it will become your new obsession) Since every country and individual program will differ on deadlines, decision dates, and orientation schedules, check your email daily for updates and notifications. Yes, even your junk! Semifinalists: Congratulations & Interview tips1. Research the country
Regardless of whether you will interview, researching your host country is respectful and essential. As a guest abroad, it is integral to the success of your project and the depth of living experience to research the local culture, history, current events, safety, language(s), etc. If you are scheduled for an interview (this typically happens in late January to late February), be prepared to answer questions about your host country! For example, “What drew you to [country name]?” or “Why would you like to work/teach/conduct research in [country name]?”If you are prepared to sincerely answer these questions, you will show respect to the commission and demonstrate that you value international relationships. 2. Sample interview questions When you receive a notice of an interview, the email likely will not list questions or topics of discussion. If there is a language proficiency requirement, be prepared to respond to one question in the official language of your host country. Each of the host country’s representatives or committee members will take a turn asking a question. Since there are likely several interviews taking place throughout the day, dedicate time to practice responses to potential questions. Below are sample questions for ETA semi-finalists:
A timeline of my application process
. . .I wish you all the best of luck on the unfamiliar, enthralling journey ahead.
Please be patient and kind to yourselves after submitting your application; humble yourselves with the reality that you may not reach semi-finalist and finalist stages. Be prepared with back-up plans, but know it’s ok to be optimistic! I will continue to update you as I receive details on my placement, complete orientation, and prepare further for departure in March! Thank you for following along (and making it this far in the post!)! Follow other Fulbrighters’ journeys!Amanda Adams: Fulbright ETA to Spain (October 2022-June 2023)
(Amanda’s post on visas and legal preparation for departure!) Fisher Chu: Fulbright ETA to South Korea (2023) comment below!If you are applying for a Fulbright, share your country of application and type of grant!
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AuthorMeghan Hesterman (she/her) is an aspiring educator, storyteller, and traveler. Through regular posts and commentary, she candidly reflects on her evolution as an educator and young adult. Categories
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