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"The Fulbright Program aims to bring a little more knowledge, a little more reason, and a little more compassion into world affairs, and thereby to increase the chance that nations will learn at last to live in peace and friendship." – J. William Fulbright Background The Fulbright program was created in the 1940s by a U.S. Senator who encouraged U.S. citizens to interact with and understand the peoples of other nations By studying abroad, U.S. citizens can conduct research or study in one of 140 countries or teach in approximately 40 countries where they will be immersed in a cultural exchange that extends beyond international politics and business. Types of Student Fulbrights Research – recipients may conduct research, take classes, or obtain professional training relevant to their host country Teaching Assistantship – recipients may teach English at various levels depending on what the selected country offers You cannot apply for both in the same year Grants in support of travel only are available for Italy, Germany and Hungary as supplemental awards Important Dates for All Fulbright Applicants Online application available: May 1 Develop affiliation and project Summer UIC application deadline: September 10 UIC evaluation interviews: late September National deadline October 20 U.S. Review committee results late January Final results March-June General Application Tips Visit the Fulbright website (http://us.fulbrightonline.org/home.html) Make sure you meet all general eligibility requirements Determine which country you’ll apply to study abroad in. Consult with OSSP, mentors, and faculty for advice Read the Individual Country Summary in the Participating Countries section to be sure you meet country eligibility requirements. -Many countries have their own Fulbright websites that provide additional guidance. -Important information regarding language requirements, affiliation requirements and special considerations is available for each country. Don’t procrastinate! Getting the best advice Let your professors and advisors know about your Fulbright aspirations. They may know people in your host country who can help you, offer you feedback on your plans, provide proofreading or write letters of reference. Choosing recommendation writers: Select individuals who can comment not only on you, but also on your project, on your preparation for it and your ability to carry it out. Some countries require affiliations. Begin contacting scholars and institutions in the host country as soon as possible to request their academic or professional support for your project. Attend an information session at the local IIE office and check out IIE’s online advice. Session dates are available online. Consider contacting the IIE Fulbright world-area managers (listed online) with specific questions. Contact Beth Powers ([email protected]), the FPA for UIC undergraduates and professional program students or Amanda Harrison ([email protected]), the FPA for English Teaching Assistants for advice. Parts to the Fulbright application Application, including references and language evaluation, is online Personal statement Proposed program of study or teaching essay Lists of activities, accomplishments, jobs, travel Transcripts and letters of affiliation can be sent to OSSP Start the Proposal First!! Do you have the expertise needed for your project? Are your language skills developed enough for you to do this project in this country? Fluency may not be needed, but a match between linguistic ability and the project is critical. Do not expect close academic supervision - be prepared to supplement lectures with independent work. Graduate students, as well advanced-degree candidates proposing research for theses and dissertations, will be expected to work independently without close supervision. Do you have the course work or experience needed to hit the ground running on your project? E.g. survey experience, lab skills. Candidates in the creative and performing arts should submit projects indicating their reasons for selecting a particular country, the form their work will take and the results they hope to obtain. Is your project feasible? Consult professors in their major fields and your FPA about the feasibility of proposed projects With whom do you propose to work? What do you propose to do? What is exciting, new or unique about your project? What contribution will the project make to the Fulbright objective of promoting cross-cultural interaction and mutual understanding? When will you carry out your study or research? Include a timeline. Where do you propose to conduct your study or research? Why is it important to go abroad to carry out your project? Why do you want to do it? How does it contribute to your personal and professional growth? Project details How will you carry out your work? All students should discuss methodology and goals in their statements. How will your project help further your academic or professional development? How will the culture and politics of the host country impact your work? How do the resources of the host country support your project? How will you locate your subjects? (if needed) Is your language facility adequate? If not, how will you accomplish your work? How is your project of value to the host country? The Personal Statement Give us insight into your background that explains your career goals and motivation for them. Link your proposal to your goals and background. “Do not provide a chronological commentary of your life story or narrative of your resume. Help the readers envision you as a U.S. ambassador of good will by addressing ways in which you hope to immerse yourself in the new culture.” (Notre Dame Fellowships Office.) Community Involvement in Personal Statement Sketch out how you plan to get involved in the community in which you will be staying. - Project-related interaction - Recreational activities - Volunteer work - Other ways that allow you to learn more about the culture surrounding you. Personal Statement Specifics Organize your personal statement carefully. Don't make reviewers search for information. Have several people read and critique your statement, including a faculty adviser, a faculty member outside your discipline, a fellow student, and/or a colleague. Be insightful and provocative. Tell a good story. Be positive, concise and clear. Avoid passive voice, overly long sentences, clichés and too much specialized jargon. Be specific in order to gain credibility. Show, not tell, your knowledge. You can view past successful applications in the OSSP office in 2506 UH. Building Affiliations in your Host Country Unless it is explicitly stated otherwise in the Country Summary (e.g., some countries will arrange for grantee placements/affiliations), grantees are expected to make their own arrangements for one or more affiliations in the host country. The affiliation can be an academic institution, a research institute, a non-profit organization and/or individuals at any one of these or other type of relevant agencies. The affiliation could be a letter of invitation from the host institution/organization or an individual indicating research support, or an offer of access to facilities is available to the applicant. Include documentation of contacts with potential affiliations as part of the application if no letter is available. Fulbright Teaching Assistantships Students applying for English Teaching Assistant (ETA) positions are not expected to present extensive research plans. ETA essays should focus on: – Why you would like to undertake a Teaching Assistant Assignment? – What are your qualifications? – What experiences of yours relate to your preparation? – How you expect to benefit from the assignment? – What use you will make of the experience upon your return to the United States? What use you will make of your time outside the classroom. (Most TAs work no more than 20 hours per week.) References and Language Evaluations Reference writers should be familiar with your qualifications for your proposal or teaching. Teaching evaluations ask specific questions. You can ask for more letters to be sent to the campus committee. Language evaluations should be done by someone who knows your skills, is qualified and is not a family member. OSSP can help you find language evaluators. Good Luck! Office of Special Scholarship Programs University of Illinois at Chicago 2506 University Hall 312.355.2477 or [email protected] http://www.uic.edu/depts/oaa/ssp