An Unexpected Journey: My Fulbright Application Experience
I never planned to study in a different country, but I changed my mind when I visited the United States for a short exchange program. During that time, I had the chance to visit universities, communicate with people, and attend workshops. It was so interesting and valuable to me that it made me think that I shouldn’t miss a great opportunity to study abroad. It was in that moment that I decided to apply for the Fulbright Program because I realized that I wanted more than just a master’s degree; I wanted to have unforgettable experiences and cultural exchanges, which are the goals of the program.
I recommend applying for the program since it is such a life-changing experience. I got accepted the first time I applied because I put my heart into it and explained why I was looking for an exchange program more than just a scholarship. I truly believe in the program’s objectives and wanted to be part of it, and it was reflected in my essays and my answers in the interview. It was such a great feeling when I received email after email stating that I passed each step successfully. Although it was a long process, I was learning every step of the way. My tip for those applying is, put a lot of thought into your personal statement. Describe clearly what you want to achieve, your goals and future plans, and how Fulbright can help you achieve them. Sometimes following certain templates for personal statements may not work for you, so try to focus on the prompt and find your own style to write your statements.
Being a Fulbright recipient gives me courage and a sense of independence. What I am experiencing is more than I expected. Traveling, studying, and networking all contribute to improving my personal and academic skills, and prepare me for the future. Besides the advanced academic knowledge I’m gaining here, my favorite part about the program is that it helps me try new things and step out of my comfort zone. For instance, during the university placement suggestions, I knew that I liked the program at Colorado State University, but I was afraid of the cold weather, because I’ve always lived in hot areas. I decided that I wanted to challenge myself, so I included Colorado State University in my form. Here I am in Colorado, enjoying the weather and waiting impatiently for the snow. This amazing Fulbright journey has changed me in so many ways already and I strongly encourage you to apply. Who knows, you might become a Fulbrighter as well!
Chnur is an Iraqi Fulbrighter who is studying Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) at Colorado State University.
