The first round of the selection of the Fulbright program. Personal experience
On the first of June last year, late in the evening, I received an email in the standard form that I had passed the competition and that I was going to the USA at the end of August ...
It all started with the fact that once, during a class in English grammar, our teacher announced that campaigning for everyone who wants to apply for the Fulbright program will begin right now in the conference room, and they will also talk about the program itself, so whoever wants, can no longer linger on a pair and head straight for the abode of a probable freebie, which everyone immediately took advantage of.
And they promised a really noble freebie there: two years of study in a master's program in the chosen specialty is completely free, i.e. for nothing. A little about the program: one of the most prestigious in the world, this program is named after former US Senator William Fulbright and is designed for university graduates and young scientists, and it is funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State, but countries also make their financial contribution with whom she collaborates.
What is interesting: our beloved dean was waiting for us at the exit of the conference room, who has the following to say: a) that we are being reprimanded about the missed class; b) so that we roll our lips back, because being elected by a grant program of this class is something from the realm of fantasy. With our heads bowed, we returned to the realities of our daily university reality. However, 5-6 of us, gritting our teeth, firmly decided to fight and not give up so easily.
Slowly, without calling about it at every corner so as not to attract the unhealthy attention of competitors, we began to scribble the required essays, such as: Personal Statement and Study Objectives. And they were quite sincerely surprised when they came face to face at the door of Fulbright's Kyiv office to submit documents. Having smiled sweetly at each other and asked what specialties they applied for, they civilly dispersed, so that the physical destruction of rivals did not come, and this would not have helped (for reference: in 2006/07, the competition for a place was about 1:30).
Then the most interesting began, it would be more correct to say tense, namely: waiting. Waiting for the results of the first round of the competition, the competition of documents. If you passed it, you can breathe a sigh of relief for a second (but only for a second) and immediately begin preparing for the interview. For me personally, this was the most severe test, it was cleaner than any job interview. Well, first of all, because of the rather large number of pairs of eyes that evaluate you, not to mention the number of mouths that open to confuse you with indiscreet questions about what you are actually going to do upon arrival in the "promised land ".
Moreover, a curious observation: Ukrainians, as they say, “knocked down”, and the Americans with a smile were interested in general things, for example, that I would tell my American colleagues about my country, whether I have a musical education (my topic was related to folk songs). “My own” also had questions of a more conceptual nature, and if we take into account the fact that I was just going to go to investigate my topic, then their questions turned out to be completely on the verge of reality. Such questions are asked at a press conference about a well-finished study, not at its initial stage. Hence my advice to you: if you have already passed the “papers” stage, then prepare well for the interview, think over all possible questions.
The next step was the TOEFL test. Nothing particularly complicated, but preparation is again required, and not just language, but specifically for passing this test - how to calculate the time, how to better understand what kind of answer they want from you in a particular task. Specific TOEFL test guides can be found at any British Council office.
And now, when all three stages have been courageously overcome, it remains only to pack things and wave a white handkerchief to relatives in farewell. And advice on adapting upon arrival is a completely different story. Finally, I will say: do not let anyone convince you that nothing will work out or that the grant is won only by great pull, this is not so. Of course, you need a certain amount of luck, so maybe you will be lucky!
For reference: the Fulbright program is the oldest and most famous US academic exchange program in the world. It was founded in 1946 and currently covers 140 countries.
Here are the areas of specialization that Fulbright works with:
Important news: in addition to the humanities, natural sciences are opening this year.
More information about the program can be found on the websites:
www.fulbright.org.ua
www.mynews-in.net/news/education/2006/10/23/1084232.html
osvita.org.ua/news/26463_ru.html
(Fulbright in Ukraine)
www.fulbright.ru
projects.karelia.ru/index.php?a=4&idk=359
(Fulbright in the Russian Federation)
Down with the stereotypes about foreign universities "for the rich" - any state has multimillion-dollar grant programs that annually sponsor the most motivated students for master's or postgraduate studies. Payments cover tuition and living expenses, and students can devote themselves fully to their studies. All that is required of the candidate is to understand why he needs it, clearly set a goal and carefully collect a package of documents, and then suitcases.
"Big Village" begins to collect practical advice from the guys who were able to enter the best universities in the world. How to overcome circles of bureaucratic hell, what to say at an interview, is there a universal motivation letter and is there any point in returning home? In the first part - one of the best international Fulbright programs.
Where: USA
What includes: English proficiency exams, tuition fees, monthly stipend, limited medical insurance, travel expenses (round trip from hometown and extra luggage on the way back), one-time payment for study materials and accommodation at the place of residence .
Training period: from one year to 2 years
Requirements: are listed at the link, one of the required ones is knowledge of English at a sufficient level (TOEFL not lower than 80 points) and age no older than 30 years.
What is it and how to get through. Fulbright is one of the most generous and cool scholarship programs in the world, which annually provides grants for education, research and internships at US universities. Graduates of universities or students of the last year of study, who by the time of their possible departure will already receive diplomas of higher education, can participate in the competition. You need to choose a master's or graduate program. Masters study for two academic years, graduate students conduct research for one academic year.
Competitive selection begins in the spring and lasts about a year. During this time, the candidate must write motivational essays and collect three letters of recommendation, translate a diploma of higher education into English, pass English proficiency exams (TOEFL, and masters also GRE), pass an interview in Moscow and - combo! - combine all this with main job or study.
The Fulbright Scholarship covers everything. It was important for me, because I did not have my own funds.
Every year, a different number of applicants submits an application: in 2015 there were about 600 of them. About 10% usually reach the final - the competition for a place is comparable to a challenge when entering a good domestic university.
It must be understood that Fulbright has a clear goal - cultural exchange: the finalists of the grant in a sense become cosmopolitans, educators and bearers of important experience. This means that after graduating from a university or completing research work, it will not work to chill on the ocean shores - the scholarship holder is obliged, ideally, to return to his homeland, but in any case he cannot live and work in the USA for two years (the option with an interethnic marriage will not work either ).
Yana Shchetinskaya, student at North Carolina State University
In Samara, I graduated from the Faculty of History of the Samara State University with a degree in International Relations. I applied for Fulbright in May 2014, and in March-April 2015 I found out that I was going to study. The process of selecting candidates lasts about a year, and it's quite nerve-wracking - so much time to be in a state of uncertainty.
The Fulbright Scholarship covers everything, including housing: for me this was important, since I did not have my own funds to pay for half or, say, a third of the tuition.
By submitting an application, you do not choose a university - you just express your wishes, and the commission takes them into account. You should not count on Harvard and other well-known universities: you can be sent to an excellent university that no one in Russia has heard of, and this will be a much better solution.
There is only one motivation: you either need it, and you stubbornly go to the end, or not.
If everything is in order after submitting the papers with the documents, you go to the second round - there you just have to pass the exams and go for an interview in Moscow. It is held in English with an American-Russian commission of five to six people. At the interview, they check your determination, and also your communication skills, so it’s better not to be too nervous and try to communicate calmly, without excessive alertness. If you have an interesting topic, you really know the purpose of the program and believe in what you say, this is a big plus. It is important to understand that the American commission will not be satisfied with general phrases.
University of North Carolina You need to clearly understand, and then paint, what practical importance is what you plan to do. It would be nice to throw in a draft of sample questions and answers for the interview. If possible, it is better to give your essays to an experienced person, the same Fulbright or native English speaker, who will help correct stylistic inaccuracies.
I know many who went to the Fulbright for the third and fourth time
There is only one motivation: you either need it, and you stubbornly go to the end, or not. If you didn't manage to apply this year, you can do it next year. I know many who passed the Fulbright on the third and fourth time. An important point about English: if you feel that language training is not enough, start preparing in advance. Learn the exam format so you don't get overwhelmed when testing - and practice without interruption.
"Orientation", or a meeting of students of the University of North Carolina before the start of the school year, Yana was held in Boston Now I study at the University of North Carolina (North Carolina State University) and in general I am very satisfied. I am the only foreign student in my program, but I am treated exactly the same as dozens of American masters. The teachers are very responsive and always ready to help if you do not understand or do not know something. This is a big plus for development and adaptation. The university where I study has a lot of resources: constant conferences, seminars, debates, where speakers from the UN, government and non-profit organizations are invited - a very busy life.
Probably the most important thing is not to be afraid. If you have any questions - ask and consult, communicate with former scholarship holders. There is a group in VKontakte
The first time I applied for a Fulbright scholarship was in my fifth year at university. At that time, my main goal was to go to study abroad, and where exactly, by and large, I didn’t care. In my fifth year, I was writing a diploma on a topic that was terribly interesting to me - "Translating audiovisual materials in scientific communication using subtitles", so I applied for the direction "Linguistics". However, about the first attempt can be shorter - I did not even make it to the second round. Despite the fact that my teachers from the university, in particular, a teacher who herself received a scholarship and went to study in Germany, said that my application was good and strong.
So, as you know from the official website of the program for the first round of the program, you need to submit a certain list of documents, we will focus on only a few of them:
1) Reference Letters - letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation can be written by your teachers from the university, most often this happens. Some teachers, as common practice shows, are asked to write a letter themselves, and then they edit it, sign it and send it. It is very good if, before writing a letter of recommendation, you acquaint the teacher with what exactly you want to study, what kind of scholarship you are applying for and what plans you have for the future. This will help you write a review that is tailored specifically to the specific application you are currently submitting. Of course, it is best to contact those teachers with whom you have worked together a lot, who know you well not only as a student, but also as a person. One of my letters of recommendation was written by a work colleague. This is also a look at you, but from a different, professional side. I think it makes sense to ask for letters of recommendation to be written ahead of time, so that you can feel more comfortable and that those who write them have the opportunity to write a good recommendation.
2) Study/Research Objective - in fact, this is the main component of your application. In this essay, you tell what exactly you want to study during your studies in the USA, what you want to achieve, and why you need all this.
When I applied for the second time, I applied for two specialties - "Linguistics" and "Education" (we are talking about the master's program). For each discipline it is necessary to submit a separate package of competitive documents. To be honest, although I was interested in linguistics, I was looking for those research topics that are currently relevant in the USA, I read what they are currently studying, because I think that for the first time I had no chance, if only because they don’t study subtitles at all in the USA.
I would advise you to think and look for information about whether there are any universities in the USA that can offer you to study what you are interested in. After all, if there are no such universities, then your application is doomed from the very beginning, which is quite logical, isn't it?
3) Personal Statement - in fact, this is an essay in which they want to hear about how you became interested in this topic and why, what you have achieved in this area. Here is an example of my essay when I not passed, although it still seems to me that this is quite a decent Personal Statement.
By the way, EducationUSA in Moscow holds free seminars on how to write a motivation letter or other essays for admission to US universities, prepare for the TOEFL or GRE, and how to get a good letter of recommendation.
Before writing an essay, think about what interests you? What can you talk about for hours? What can you explain well to another person? Read your essays yourself and let others read them. Is it clear what you want to study? Does it feel like the person who wrote these essays is really “sick” about what he writes about?
The largest US government-funded international education exchange program, commonly known as Fulbright program a, was created to improve mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. In pursuit of this goal, the Fulbright Program has provided more than 230,000 of its participants in different countries, selected for their leadership qualities, the opportunity to get acquainted with the work of political, economic and cultural organizations, exchange views and initiate joint projects for the common benefit of the peoples of the world.
The Fulbright Program was founded in 1946 by a bill introduced by former Arkansas Senator J. William Fulbright. The Fulbright Program is administered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State.
Since the program was founded, 34,000 foreign scientists have conducted research or taught at US universities and more than 32,000 American scientists have been engaged in similar activities abroad. Each year, the Fulbright Program awards about 750 grants to scientists who come to the US from other countries. Currently, the Fulbright Program operates in 140 countries around the world.
The main source of funding for the Fulbright Program is the annual appropriations allocated by the US Congress to the Department of State. Participating governments and host universities in foreign countries and the United States also contribute financially to the program, either as part of the costs or indirectly through salary supplements, tuition waivers, and university housing. In fiscal year 1999, the US Congress allocated $102 million to the Fulbright Program. Other governments, through their bilateral commissions and funds, have directly invested another $28 million in the Fulbright Program.
In 1973, six Soviet and six American scientists became Fulbrights, receiving a grant from the Program for research and lecturing, thus laying a solid foundation for bilateral academic cooperation.
A Fulbright Scholar for English Teachers talks about her internship in America.
About study
I came to study and work in the USA on the Fulbright Scholarship Program for English Teachers (Foreign Language Teaching Assistant).
The program involves teaching the Russian language and culture of their country in an American college in the amount of 20 hours a week, as well as teaching at least two subjects per semester. The program covers all expenses during all stages of participation in the competition and the year of study in the United States.
All scholarship holders of the program are distributed to different colleges. I received a placement at Grinnell College in Iowa.Grinnell is one of the private liberal arts colleges called Liberal Arts colleges in America.
The college is very wealthy and can afford to provide financial assistance to about 85% of its students, who study here in 26 areas.
Grinnell has a great campus with two excellent libraries, 12 academic buildings, 19 residence halls and 7 student houses, a canteen, a bar and grill, an arts center, and one of my favorite places on campus, the sports center.
In addition, there is also a stadium, football and baseball fields, 6 indoor tennis courts, an indoor athletics track, a swimming pool and much more. At the beginning of the semester, the teacher introduces students to the plan (Syllabus) and deadlines for the submission of written work, which follows throughout the semester.
When I tell my American friends which college I work and study at, most speak of our college as an educational institution with a very high educational standard.
And I boldly assert that my classmates and students to whom I teach Russian are real stars and intellectuals. Great attention is paid to the independent work of the student.
The teacher acts as a coordinator, curator, leading the lesson in the form of a discussion on the materials that students should familiarize themselves with before the start of the lesson.
The guys are engaged not only in studies, which, believe me, "takes" the lion's share of our time, but actively spend time outside of school: there are about 250 student organizations in Grinnell for every taste and 20 sports that you can get involved in.
Almost 1/3 of Grinnell students are athletes and participate in competitions in various sports, or play music, sing in a choir, put on performances, work, “volunteer”.
For example, two female students I know volunteer to help inmates prepare for a test to get a high school diploma.
Preparation and admission
The Fulbright Grant competition lasts a whole year. For me, the most important step was the process of preparing and collecting documents. I believe that this stage is the most responsible, since many people are eliminated at it.
At this stage, it is important to write a convincing and original motivation letter, back up your application with letters of recommendation. The main thing here is to show your uniqueness, to prove that it was you who was so lacking in the international Fulbright family.
At the second stage of the competition, all semi-finalists take the TOEFL language test, as well as interviews with representatives of the Fulbright program in Russia, a participant in the program of previous years and a representative of the US State Department.
In winter, the finalists are informed about the successful completion of the competition, after which it is necessary to collect the next package of documents and prepare a medical card. Fulbright assists in obtaining visas and other documents.
The most exciting stage is the distribution to colleges. After distribution, fellows are in direct contact with their college supervisor.
Before leaving in Moscow, there is a meeting with representatives of the American embassy for the so-called pre-departure orientation, at which the fellows are told about the main points related to culture, life and study in America so that they can better adapt to the new environment.
Upon arrival in the United States, before entering their college, fellows from all over the world are distributed to the largest American universities already for summer orientation. I was among the lucky ones who got to Stanford for a few days.
Life
At the beginning of the year, all new students and language assistants go through an orientation, during which you can complete all the necessary documents, open a bank account, get a tax number, etc.
Under the terms of my grant, I receive funding from the Fulbright program and from Grinnell. The college provided me with housing in one of the student houses called "Russian House".
Here I live with students studying Russian. The college also provides me with a full meal-plan, which includes three meals a day in the student cafeteria.
You can also cook in the kitchen at the Russian House, as most of the guys who don't eat in the canteen do: it's cheaper for them. Life in Iowa is not expensive.
The main expenses while living in the USA are travel and endless online shopping. Since the college is located in a very small town, there are no special frills.
We drive to the neighboring major cities, Des Moines or Iowa City, in a car that we bought with friends at the beginning of the semester. You can also rent a car right on campus.
In free time
Grinnell has very long holidays. As the students explained to me, they are much longer here than in many other colleges, since the study is very intense. So, during the holidays I travel. In the fall, I spent a week in Chicago.
I went to visit friends in Iowa for Thanksgiving. In mid-December, a conference for Fulbright Scholars was held in Washington, where we attended many trainings, received certificates, and shared our impressions after the first semester of work.
After the conference, we went with friends to celebrate Christmas and New Year in Philadelphia, New York, Miami Beach and Key West in Florida. I'm still making plans for spring break. In my free time, I meet friends - other language assistants or students.
Of course, every weekend we go to parties. It will be very difficult for me to convey on paper the impressions and atmosphere that prevails at student parties. Guys, you need to be in an American college to appreciate this! I love to watch the competitions of our "Pioneers" - Grinnell Pioneers, when they play at home.
An interesting fact about my college for basketball fans. Last semester, our team's quarterback Jack Taylor scored 138 points in 36 minutes of playing time, setting a new NCAA record! Sure enough, the Grinnell Pioneers beat Faith Baptist Bible 179-104. I also go to the gym and pool or sleep.
Country and culture
This is my first visit to the USA, but, oddly enough, I did not experience the slightest culture shock. Probably, this is all very individual. I travel a lot and meet all kinds of people.
Previously, I often heard that it is very difficult to make friends with the Americans, they say, they do not let them into their souls. I would like to debunk this myth. Here I met charming and kind people whom I can call my friends, and I know that this relationship will not end when I return to Russia.
You may consider this a lyric, but I believe that if a person is open to the world and people, accepts every day and every new meeting as a gift, remaining an optimist in any situation and trying to see only good in any person, everything returns to him a hundredfold.
With such an attitude towards the world, it will be all yours, since both your eyes and your whole being will shine with goodness. How not to make friends with such a person?! I fell in love with America, and I will definitely return here: after all, I have not yet walked around Central Park in warm weather.
After study
How I love this college, students, teachers, colleagues and how good it is that I will be in my dear Grinnell for another four months! The fact that I came to the USA under the Fulbright program is very valuable and honorable.
This is a big plus for my "resume" and professional growth. Here my vision of the dissertation, which I am writing in Russia, has changed, new development prospects have appeared.
- An interesting section is "Tips". Can I give at least one? I think no. I can only share my thoughts. Do what your heart is in. If you want to study, look for competitions and grants, participate in them. Believe in yourself and know that there is no one like you. If you are writing a motivation letter, be sure to tell about it.
- I believe that nothing is impossible for us. As a 3rd year student, I accompanied the delegation of the executive committee of my city in Hong Kong as an interpreter. Then I studied for a year in China on a grant from the Government of the Republic of Tatarstan and was a volunteer at the World Universiade in Shenzhen, and I hope that I will be one at the Universiade in Kazan this year.
- A year ago, I sailed on a huge ship from Tokyo to Colombo and Chennai and back as part of the international program "Ship of the World's Youth" and now I am vice-president of the association of its graduates from Russia. Finally, I became a Fulbright Scholar.
- I just believe in myself, and I hope that those comrades who conduct competitive selection will believe in me. Prove to them that they need to believe in you too!
- And finally: when traveling, use couchsurfing. This is a unique opportunity to feel not like a tourist, but a traveler.
We also recommend
Hero pioneers in the Great Patriotic War Heroes of the Patriotic War pioneers presentation
Presentation "Formation of posture in preschool children Hygiene of correct posture presentation for children
Sciences of the human body
Presentation "history and prospects for the development of robotics"
The value of the struggle of Russia with the Polovtsy
Asia and Africa after World War II
Loading...