As an institution that has been named a Fulbright top producer for ten years, the University of Iowa (UI) has no shortage of advice for prospective applicants. Here are some Fulbright student award application tips from recent award winners and experienced faculty members.
1. Talk to your professors
“Reach out to faculty and mentors at the university to brainstorm ideas early. They are great resources and can help you narrow your ideas if you are unsure of what to research, study, or even if you cannot decide on a host country. Dr. Margeret Carrel and Dr. Caglar Koylu were very supportive during the application process and invested valuable time in me as a student outside of applying.”
Angelina Evans, winner of a Fulbright Study/Research grant in informatics and geography to Germany
2.Consider studying abroad
"Although not all Fulbright applicants can or do study abroad, candidates who have studied abroad often demonstrate resilience, flexibility, and adaptability in adjusting to living 24/7 in a different culture. We encourage applicants to mention a challenge of living abroad that they may have encountered and overcome. If an applicant has studied abroad in the country they plan to apply to, they have clearly invested in that country and have learned about many different facets of its culture already. Study abroad during students’ undergraduate years does not count as residency for Fulbright and has no effect on their eligibility."
Karen Wachsmuth, associate director, international fellowships, UI International Programs
3. Show your value
“In your application, always put yourself in the best position possible. Be sure to show what your value is to the particular country or the particular institution to which you are applying. Try to reiterate what it is that you're going to contribute; what you're going to bring to them.”
Russell Ganim, associate provost and dean of UI International Programs
4. Demonstrate your interest in the host country
“They want to know that you are a team player with a strong work ethic and that you have professional interest in the country you hope to go to. You will have to demonstrate that in your application. Don’t be intimidated by the application process, go for it.”
Ronald McMullen, ambassador in residence and associate professor of practice in the UI Department of Political Science
5. Use concise language
"Throughout the application process for my Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) grant, I learned how to highlight my most relevant qualities and achievements while still being true to my own experiences. Although there is only limited room on a page to express yourself to the reviewers, it is possible to find a balance between those two things. Concise language became my best friend during this process, and it's helped me beyond Fulbright, as well."
Sylvia Dean, winner of a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to Taiwan
6. Get involved on campus and in the community
“Get involved at Iowa. There are countless opportunities open to you. During my time at Iowa, I was the president of Francophones at Iowa, a member of Delta Gamma sorority, a research assistant in the COLLab, an undergraduate teaching assistant, a language ambassador, a senator with undergraduate student government, and a part of several other clubs that led me to where I am today. For students applying for an ETA, I would say get involved in teaching English in Iowa City; there are countless organizations that connect volunteers with English learners, no experience needed! I worked with IC Compassion, a community organization with the goal of making immigrants and refugees feel safe, valued, and empowered in Iowa City, but there are several others.”
Delaney Orewiler, winner of a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to Morocco
7. Be able to communicate effectively
“Fulbright offers opportunities that allow you to do things that are relevant to public speaking and being in front of people. We saw from all our current and past student winners that they are really good at communicating about their projects, whether it's a research project or an English Teaching Assistantship. So being able to communicate effectively, being able to write well, and even using photos and other things across media to get your story across is incredibly valuable in your application."
Melissa Tully, director, UI School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Learn more about the U.S. Fulbright Student Program
International Programs (IP) at the University of Iowa (UI) is committed to enriching the global experience of UI students, faculty, staff, and the general public by leading efforts to promote internationally oriented teaching, research, creative work, and community engagement. IP provides support for international students and scholars, administers scholarships and assistance for students who study, intern, or do research abroad, and provides funding opportunities and grant-writing assistance for faculty engaged in international research. IP shares their stories through various media, and by hosting multiple public engagement activities each year.