|
mignon
|
 |
« on: January 05, 2009, 03:50:31 PM » |
|
I am thinking of applying for a Fulbright lecturing (not research) exchange program. I'm a mid-career, tenured prof with small children. I want to go somewhere other than Western Europe, and to broaden/globalize my approach to my field, which is American Studies.
My Qs are:
Does anyone know which countries are relatively noncompetitive, for Fulbrights? (Since I can only apply to one country, I'd rather apply to one that's not impossible to get . . . )
Are there countries that you'd esp. recommend?
Are there countries you would NOT go, with kids? (We're fairly adventurous, but I don't want to go somewhere with lots of kidnappings or violent street crime, for instance.)
Any experiences or ideas are most welcome. Thanks in advance, friends.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
notaprof
Not a
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 10,934
Notaclique: You can only join if you don't want to
|
|
« Reply #1 on: January 05, 2009, 05:16:17 PM » |
|
I am thinking of applying for a Fulbright lecturing (not research) exchange program. I'm a mid-career, tenured prof with small children. I want to go somewhere other than Western Europe, and to broaden/globalize my approach to my field, which is American Studies.
My Qs are:
Does anyone know which countries are relatively noncompetitive, for Fulbrights? (Since I can only apply to one country, I'd rather apply to one that's not impossible to get . . . )
Are there countries that you'd esp. recommend?
Are there countries you would NOT go, with kids? (We're fairly adventurous, but I don't want to go somewhere with lots of kidnappings or violent street crime, for instance.)
Any experiences or ideas are most welcome. Thanks in advance, friends.
Fulbright publishes a list of their competition statistics so you can see the countries with the best odds. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
I am sick and tired of following my dreams. I think I'll just ask them where they are going and catch up with them later. Mitch Hedberg
|
|
|
|
mignon
|
|
« Reply #2 on: January 05, 2009, 06:54:52 PM » |
|
Thanks, notaprof! Looks like these are stats for student fellowships, though. Anyone know if similar stats are published for (professor, post-PhD) lecturer/teaching fellowships? The program is administered by CIEE.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
notaprof
Not a
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 10,934
Notaclique: You can only join if you don't want to
|
|
« Reply #3 on: January 05, 2009, 07:16:30 PM » |
|
Sorry, I was in a hurry. They should have similar stats on the web site for faculty fellowships. I think the program is administered by IIE, not CIEE. This was the closest I could find for faculty from a quick search. They give the number of positions available in each place but I can't find the data on the number of applicants for each destination. However, I think it might map fairly close to the data on the student fellowships. I know Ireland is one of the hardest and Germany is less competitive because the German government provides lots more funding than the Irish government. Connections are the key though, where do you have connections? |
|
|
|
« Last Edit: January 05, 2009, 07:16:45 PM by notaprof »
|
Logged
|
I am sick and tired of following my dreams. I think I'll just ask them where they are going and catch up with them later. Mitch Hedberg
|
|
|
profxfiles
I Am Not, Nor Have I Ever Been A Card-Carrying
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 1,287
I am the grading Jedi
|
|
« Reply #4 on: January 17, 2009, 09:07:39 AM » |
|
When you say "other than western Europe" do you also include the more "western" parts of Eastern Europe? My dissertation advisor was a Fulbright in Poland with two kids and loved it. I have heard good things about the Romanians and Bulgarians as well.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
"Personally, I liked the university. They gave us money and facilities, we didn't have to produce anything... You've never been out of the university. You don't know what it's like out there! I've worked in the private sector...they expect results."
--Dan Aykroyd in Ghostbusters
|
|
|
|
dellaroux
|
|
« Reply #5 on: January 18, 2009, 04:59:30 AM » |
|
Seems a bit backwards to me.
I applied for (but didn't get) a Fullbright for my dissertation research, based on specific needs for work I ended up doing in France in a shorter time frame with private grant support. I know France is probably one of the most competitive, and even with my reading team's highest recommendation, the French awards alloted to (I forget now--our area or our school) went to others...tant pis. (too bad)...but it seems a bit like "gaming" the award to do it the other way around.
Usually, the country you apply for is one that you have some reason to visit because of work you've done or have been working towards doing there. I don't think they look very favorably on applications that sound as if the PI is just looking for a year's paid vacation somewhere.
Maybe I'm misunderstanding your original post, but that's how it sounds to me, and if you are serious about wanting to make a proposal that has a chance of being accepted, it's going to need more track record behind it than that.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Pax in terra choreagibus
Ballo non bello parare
How am I?: There are four levels: Alive, Alert, Awake & Functioning. Right now, I'm standing upright & moving forward.
We are gifted superfluously--the cosmos is more generous than we can ask or imagine.
|
|
|
professorgb
Department Chair
New member
Posts: 25
|
|
« Reply #6 on: February 05, 2009, 06:38:02 PM » |
|
Most important piece is to have an invitation from an institution abroad. Reviewers can see when someone is calculating the "odds". If there is a match between your work and the institution work, then you have a high probability. It is always an adjustment for the kids, no matter where you go but it works. Think of how the fellowship will connect with your work after. "relatively non-competitive" is not an accurate way to describe the odds in senior fellowships.
On another note, the fellowship is really about being an ambassador, there are complex places where if there is the need for your expertise, you will be safe no matter the conditions in the streets. In sum, do not calculate the odds, you will get it if there is a fit between you and the host institution.
And, agree with previous posts, it is not a vacation. BTW, pay attention to cost of living where you are going, it makes a huge difference since the stipends don't really adjust a lot for cost of living. If you go to a cheaper place, you will have a great time and will not be worried and may be save some, the other way around (London, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam, Santiago, Rio, etc.) and you are for sticker shock.
This year, I assume it will be more competitive because more faculty will be interested in representing the U.S. under this new administration.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
professorgb
Department Chair
New member
Posts: 25
|
|
« Reply #7 on: February 05, 2009, 06:40:33 PM » |
|
Think New Zealand or Australia or Japan. Places you may find difficult to get to and the Fulbright will buy tickets. And if you do not have a handle of another language, it will be easier for everyone.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
mignon
|
|
« Reply #8 on: May 04, 2009, 03:31:01 PM » |
|
I am re-visiting this post because I am right now gathering application materials for my Fulbright and talking to various program officers. I would still welcome country recommendations or experiences, for a family with small children if anyone has them, with the following caveats:
1. I am not looking for a "year's paid vacation," but I am applying to TEACH, not research. My expertise is in American Studies, a field that is desirable to many countries. Thus I am trying to decide which country makes the most sense.
2. For lecturers (not researchers) most countries, apart from a few in North Africa and South America, expect only English proficiency. Many WANT lecturers with limited prior experience in the country.
3. From my perspective, it makes sense to consider odds, because the package is a lot of work to put together, and we would be interested in spending a year in any number of places. If the Vietnam program gets 500 applicants per year and the Malaysia program gets 70, that's valuable info. So if anyone knows, I'd be most grateful. It won't be the only factor--just one of many.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
notaprof
Not a
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 10,934
Notaclique: You can only join if you don't want to
|
|
« Reply #9 on: May 04, 2009, 03:43:21 PM » |
|
I am re-visiting this post because I am right now gathering application materials for my Fulbright and talking to various program officers. I would still welcome country recommendations or experiences, for a family with small children if anyone has them, with the following caveats:
1. I am not looking for a "year's paid vacation," but I am applying to TEACH, not research. My expertise is in American Studies, a field that is desirable to many countries. Thus I am trying to decide which country makes the most sense.
2. For lecturers (not researchers) most countries, apart from a few in North Africa and South America, expect only English proficiency. Many WANT lecturers with limited prior experience in the country.
3. From my perspective, it makes sense to consider odds, because the package is a lot of work to put together, and we would be interested in spending a year in any number of places. If the Vietnam program gets 500 applicants per year and the Malaysia program gets 70, that's valuable info. So if anyone knows, I'd be most grateful. It won't be the only factor--just one of many.
The Fulbright org puts out a publication with the number of applicants and the number of awardees by country for the student program. Do they not do something similar for the faculty grants? ), (Sorry, just noticed we already discussed this this last time you were considering applying. Couldn't you look for places where they offer American Studies and start that way? You have to have some sort of connection and have a school that wants what you have to offer. That connection is key. A colleague got a Fulbright primarily because he had a colleague overseas in his same field that was interested in swapping places and they did literarlly trade teaching slots, houses and autos for the year. |
|
|
|
« Last Edit: May 04, 2009, 03:45:12 PM by notaprof »
|
Logged
|
I am sick and tired of following my dreams. I think I'll just ask them where they are going and catch up with them later. Mitch Hedberg
|
|
|
|
mignon
|
|
« Reply #10 on: May 04, 2009, 03:51:25 PM » |
|
Thanks, notaprof. That's great advice.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
notaprof
Not a
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 10,934
Notaclique: You can only join if you don't want to
|
|
« Reply #11 on: May 04, 2009, 03:56:18 PM » |
|
I have heard that Trinity College in Dublin has a very strong American Studies program. Although I imagine Ireland is one of the harder countries but I do know two political studies prof's who have been successful in getting Fulbrights for Ireland so perhaps the odds are not a long as one might think. Both those folks went with families with small children so maybe Ireland is particularly family friendly.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
I am sick and tired of following my dreams. I think I'll just ask them where they are going and catch up with them later. Mitch Hedberg
|
|
|
|
