Turning your study-abroad experience into a Fulbright proposal
If you are currently studying or living abroad, now is the perfect time to think about applying for the Fulbright US Student Program. A successful Fulbright application demonstrates clear interest in the proposed host country, and being in a country other than the US—exposed to the language and cultures of another place—presents a great opportunity to make connections for a possible project.
There are two primary types of Fulbright US Student Program awards:
Research/Study Awards, where you propose your own research topic or independent project (on the research side) or get a graduate degree at a university in your host country (on the study side); and the
English Teaching Assistant Award (ETA), where you teach English in your host country, with placement possibilities ranging from early childhood classrooms to universities.
Successful applications demonstrate how and why the country and proposal topic matter as well as why you are a good fit to do the Fulbright. While you are outside of the US, you can start considering topics and taking actions to make the application process a lot easier down the road.
Here are some ways that you can prepare while abroad:
Language Learning
For most countries, you are required to speak the host country language and submit a language evaluation in your Fulbright application. Each country has different language requirements, but even if a second language is not required, knowing at least one of the languages of your host country shows your commitment to engaging with it. Also, learning a second language opens up the possibilities of where you can apply for a Fulbright. If you are studying abroad in France, you can choose to apply for a Fulbright in francophone countries including Madagascar, Canada, and much of West Africa.
While abroad, make a commitment to learning the host language and stepping outside of English-speaking circles. In study-abroad programs where the program is conducted in English or in large cities where many people speak English, it can take some effort to actively engage in the language. Don’t let the opportunity to learn the language pass you by. Get involved by joining meetups, making local friends, or volunteering.
Explore Your Interests
Being abroad is a fantastic opportunity to begin considering topics for independent research. Maybe you are fascinated by your current city’s transit system and want to know how its expansion relates to changes in the political regime. Maybe your favorite thing to do is patronize food vendors in the night market and you want to know more about their role in the local economy. These topics can become viable Fulbright research proposals. Start by taking note of the things you find compelling and ask yourself: “Could I spend nine to ten months learning more about this topic?” Coming up with a topic is the first step to completing a Fulbright research/study application.
Another important part of the Fulbright application is demonstrating how you will engage in the local community. Connect with that community now through things you like to do. You can take a dance or art class, or volunteer for a nonprofit or community group. This exposure might spark ideas or influence your Fulbright proposal. You might make local friends or participate in an inspiring project that you end up writing about in your Fulbright personal statement.
Network and Get Involved
For the Fulbright Research/Study Award, you are usually required to have a letter of affiliation from a host institution that will serve as your research sponsor during the grant. This doesn’t require a monetary or heavyweight time commitment on the part of the institution. Depending on the host country, this letter can be from a university, NGO, government agency, museum, or other type of institution.
If you start making contacts in-country now, while you are studying or living abroad, it will be easier to obtain this letter down the road. For example, you can request meetings with professors whose work is interesting to you and learn about what they do and tell them about your interests. You can visit the offices of local NGOs and learn about their work. Even if in the future you end up not using these contacts for an affiliation letter, or propose a different host country than the one in which you currently live, those same people can introduce you to other people who might be a good fit for your proposed research project.
Volunteering is another great way to meet contacts. If you want to apply for the ETA award, you can volunteer to teach English at a school or community center. You are not required to have an affiliation letter for the ETA award, but having teaching experience will strengthen your application.
Have questions? Chat with a Fulbright expert
We host regular free virtual office hours where you can with one of us to have your questions answered. Office hours are great for people who don’t have access to a campus Fulbright Program Adviser.