It's a Fulbright Friday!

Fulbright-Sponsored Webinars

Visit Fulbright's Recorded Webinars

Visit Full 2024 Fulbright Webinar Schedule

Georgetown Fulbrighter Spotlight

Alex Cywes (SFS'23)

ETA - Andorra

From Alex Cywes (SFS'23) - "I work with post-high school students in Andorra – high school ends at 16 – who take two years to undergo rigorous preparation before attending university in another country, Spain or France usually. They are required to complete research on a topic of interest, which I have helped advise them on. I also hold conversation hours so that they can practice some of their higher level English. The school system in Andorra requires that they learn Catalan, English, Spanish, French, and, sometimes, Portuguese, so almost every student I work with speaks 4+ languages. In terms of volunteering, I ski on Wednesdays, although the snow was really bad this year so most weeks we were not able to, and I also work with a UNESCO representative to help renovate Romanesque buildings in the country. Most of my students have never met a Jew before since 99 percent of Andorra is Catholic . . . . I’ve experienced a lot of curiosity around me.”

Application Suggestion:

“Similar to the college process, really consider fit. Beyond simply speaking the language of the country, if you cannot pinpoint very strong reasons to be in a country, your application readers will know that too. Even if they may not be obvious at first, take time to really narrow down exactly why you fit the country that you are applying to. I promise they can tell when someone chooses Andorra simply to use it as a base to fly all over Europe, for example. Also, try to find ways that you could involve yourself in the community that you've chosen. Even if you shift those objectives once you arrive, specific examples – Model United Nations, a run club, etc. – can really show the readers what kind of a community member they can expect that you will be."

Advising Corner

More about Creative and Performing Arts Supplemental Materials

If you are applying for a grant that falls within the creative and performing arts category, you will need to include a portfolio highlighting your work within your Fulbright application. 

This uploaded material should be included with your draft application when you lock (not submit!) it by Georgetown’s internal deadline: September 1, 2024 at 12 PM (noon, not midnight) ET.

Note: A portfolio cannot include hyperlinks to your materials (e.g., YouTube videos or web-based galleries of your work). Fulbright also does not accept physical copies of artistic materials.

The Application

If you are applying for a creative and performing arts project, be sure to answer “yes” to this question: “Are you applying in one of the Creative or Performing Arts fields?” It is located in the “Preliminary Questions” section of the Fulbright application.

Once you select “yes,” you will be able to enter information specific to this type of award.

Within the “Program Information” section, among other fill-in-the-blank boxes, you will notice: “Arts Experience Summary” and “Arts Portfolio Description.”

For the former, Fulbright advises, “Prepare a summary of your practical study, training, and experience specific to the proposed project․” 

For the latter, “Briefly describe your Supplementary Materials uploaded to the Portfolio page․ For example: how you selected the piece(s) submitted; relevance to your proposed project; time frame, location, or other descriptive details; developmental trajectory vs. single series; or other information that will tell reviewers what they are looking at/listening to and why․”

Uploading Materials

In terms of uploading materials, Fulbright describes the process and the requirements in the “Arts Portfolio” section of the application. Please read this very closely well before the deadline.

Note Fulbright’s recommendation: “Important! We strongly recommend that you do not wait until the deadline day to submit the application․ Technical difficulties uploading documents, particularly in the hours prior to the deadline, will not be grounds for an extension․ Applications that are not fully submitted by the national deadline will not be accepted․ Our system will lock and prevent further submissions at the national deadline․”

More Resources

In addition to the information contained in the application itself, review closely the webpage, “Required Portfolio Materials for Arts Applicants.”

Along with general requirements, this page contains specific information about what type of supplemental material you should submit based on the focus of your project (e.g., architecture and performing arts). 

Award Spotlight

Research - North Macedonia

"North Macedonia is a great country to be placed as a Fulbright student researcher. The citizens of North Macedonia are very hospitable and friendly toward U.S. citizens.  

Fulbright student researchers can seek affiliation at any public, private, nongovernmental or government institutions. 

There are also five American Corners where Fulbright researchers can conduct different extracurricular activities. Also, there are numerous NGO and other professional associations where you can be part of a project or run your own activity. 

The English language among young population is at a very high level, however, a native speaker always can make a difference. To be a Student researcher in North Macedonia it is not required to know the local languages.

North Macedonia is characterized with various natural beauties: high mountain massifs rich in flora and fauna, mountain rivers and tectonic lakes, numerous thermal springs, basins, and valleys. Your experience in North Macedonia will make you return again."

More Information

Visit the webpage for the open study/research award in North Macedonia for more information.

It's a Fulbright Friday!