Straddling the Gap: How Sharing Diverse Experiences and Interests Can Help You Become a Fulbright Cultural Ambassador, By Katie Walter, 2009-10, India

I am in the finishing stages of a Fulbright-Nehru grant that examines conservation initiatives in the pilgrimage town of Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, India. My research will offer insight into how to optimize public communication campaigns addressing conservation issues.

My journey has taken me from the narrow, medieval backstreets of traditional-minded Vrindavan, to the town’s mega temples, sprawling roads and luxury housing properties, to the office buildings and affluent areas of the capital city of Delhi. In each place, I have encountered varying degrees of concern over new development projects in Vrindavan: some critique them for helping to increase the number of visitors to the town while the basic infrastructural needs of local residents remain unmet; some believe that these haphazard development projects are a sign of well-deserved “progress;” while others still posit that they damage the town’s natural environment, which needs to be protected in the name of public health, local prosperity, religion and heritage.

My reverence for the environment and culture, which exists alongside a belief in the benefits of development, has baffled some who view these two concepts as being in perpetual conflict. For instance, many young and prosperous Delhiites, eager to make their mark on the world, shun traditions they associate with backwardness and narrow-minded thinking. The foreigners they have encountered have largely been from the business sector. Therefore, they are somewhat surprised that I would want to learn about the legacy of a place like Vrindavan, where the Hindu God Krishna is said to have lived 5,000 years ago. On the other hand, religious leaders and devotees in Vrindavan have found it difficult to reconcile my efforts to serve the dham (or Lord’s abode) based only on human empathy and cultural appreciation rather than on my own devotional path.

Of course, I have met numerous people who are not so easily categorized. My favorites among these have been strong women who have asserted themselves and accomplished a great deal either in business, academia or conservation organizations. I have worked independently when necessary and spoken out when confronted with disrespect or hypocrisy. My strong work ethic, gained from my working-class parents, has taught me to find a way forward even in the toughest situations. My presence as a strong, independent woman has inspired respect in some, and aversion in others. Nevertheless, I think it has made me stand out in Vrindavan.

I have made it a point to talk about my background as a non-traditional Fulbright student who worked in retail for 12 years before finally attending a liberal arts college. This has also received mixed reactions; some people wonder why I would admit to a less than prosperous background, while others think it is wonderful to encounter an example of the upward social and economic mobility commonly known as “the American Dream.”

The relatively free expression of my diverse interests and experiences has brought me very close to some and not-so-close to others. More importantly, however, is that in meeting such a wide range of people, I have gained much food for thought regarding who I am and how I perceive not only the world, but the role that each of us plays in it. I know that I have also encouraged the people I have met to consider these things, especially as it concerns India’s continued economic growth.

This is what being a Fulbright cultural ambassador is about. It is about showing respect for the people and beliefs Fulbrighters encounter and acting in a responsible manner. It is also about appreciating the identities of those we meet while expressing our unique American identities so that stereotypes and assumptions can be transformed by a more nuanced understanding of nations and cultures.

My advice to Fulbright applicants is to choose a research topic that will allow you to come into contact with people from various backgrounds, and will offer opportunities for you to contribute something positive to their communities.

This not only fulfills the goals of the Fulbright Program, but is also highly rewarding. For example, my work, which favors no particular organization or sect, has earned me friends from all over the world (including Vrindavan, of course) who congratulate me on my endeavors to gain a detailed overview of problems involving local conservation.

Contact as many local organizations and public stakeholders as you can before applying and mention any possible volunteer or liaison opportunities in your application. This can help to make the application process fun.

First and foremost, though, talk with friends and family. Seek the advice of those who know you best as you compose your personal statement – and maybe someone who doesn’t know you so well. Your statement should sound like you and give the review committees a very clear sense of who you are.

Serious thought should be given as to why you wish to work in your chosen Fulbright country, what unique personal characteristics or experiences you can contribute, and what you hope to gain from the Fulbright experience in terms of personal, academic and professional development.

Top photo: Katie Walter, 2009-2010, India, in the home of Gopal, a young boy whose siblings attend the Sandipanimuni Charity School in Vrindavan.

Bottom photo: Katie Walter, 2009-2010, India (center, in green sari), attending a meeting of the Braj Vrindavan Heritage Alliance, an open forum for local stakeholders to discuss and act upon environmental and development issues.

Webinar on Polishing Your Application, Tuesday, October 12, 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Last Webinar for the 2011-12 Competition Cycle!

Jody Dudderar, Assistant Director, Fulbright U.S. Student Program and Program Manager for the Western Hemisphere, will offer final tips on polishing your application for the October 18 deadline.

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Fulbright Alumni Ambassador Webinar, Thursday, October 7, 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., EDT

This Webinar will be co-hosted by Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors. The Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors are a diverse group of Fulbright U.S. Student Program award recipients who have conducted research, studied or assistant taught English in an array of countries around the world. Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors assist in promoting the program by sharing testimonials about what it was like to be a Fulbrighter and by offering tips on how to apply.

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Webinar on Polishing Your Application, Tuesday, October 5, 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Jody Dudderar, Assistant Director, Fulbright U.S. Student Program and Program Manager for the Western Hemisphere, will offer final tips on polishing your application for the October 18 deadline.

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Webinar with Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors, Thursday, September 23, 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., EDT

This Webinar will be co-hosted by Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors. The Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors are a diverse group of Fulbright U.S. Student Program award recipients who have conducted research, studied or assistant taught English in an array of countries around the world. Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors assist in promoting the program by sharing testimonials about what it was like to be a Fulbrighter and by offering tips on how to apply.

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Webinar with Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors, Thursday, September 16, 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., EDT

This Webinar will be co-hosted by Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors. The Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors are a diverse group of Fulbright U.S. Student Program award recipients who have conducted research, studied or assistant taught English in an array of countries around the world. Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors assist in promoting the program by sharing testimonials about what it was like to be a Fulbrighter and by offering tips on how to apply.

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The Diplomacy of Mutual Inspiration: Combining Service and Creativity in a Fulbright Grant, By Franz Knupfer, 2008-2009, Nepal

As the Fourmile Fire rages in the canyons west of Boulder and smoke covers the city, the autumnal light has taken on a hazy, golden quality, like the lighting in a painting by one of the Old Masters. I’m reminded of autumn afternoons in Kathmandu, where the lighting was almost exactly like this. I’m reminded, too, of how much I miss Kathmandu and my friends there, and how much my experience as a Fulbright grantee in Nepal changed me. As I write this, it’s been almost two years to the day since I left the States for a Fulbright grant in Creative Writing in Nepal. Though I’ve been home almost a full year, I still remember the route I took from my apartment in the neighborhood of Hadigaun to the deaf school where I volunteered in Naxal. When I close my eyes, I can still walk through the rooms of the school and see my students in their classrooms.

In my Fulbright proposal, I wrote about how I planned to volunteer with the deaf community and write a collection of short stories. Though I wanted to learn and write about Nepal’s deaf community, I hadn’t realized how much I’d learn on a deeper level, on the level of the body; the body’s knowledge, in many ways, is far more ineffable and profound than the mind’s. It’s what we mean when we say, “you had to be there.” It’s exactly the kind of experience that writers and artists need for their work, but it’s also the kind of experience that can be of tremendous benefit to anyone.

If you’re a writer or an artist, whether you’re a musician, a dancer, a photographer, a painter, or a filmmaker, this kind of ineffable experience is an invaluable kind of inspiration. I’d even say it’s essential to the process of making art. And if you’re applying for a Fulbright grant, regardless of whether you’re an artist or applying in another field, I’d highly recommend incorporating some kind of volunteer or service work into your project. Though volunteering isn’t a required component of a Fulbright project, it can be an excellent way to give your project structure and meaning. It can help give your research fullness and depth, along with the deeper, ineffable knowledge that the body experiences.

It’s a well-known fact that the Fulbright Program isn’t just about research but also soft diplomacy. I’d like to call it the diplomacy of mutual inspiration. Because I volunteered at the Naxal School for the Deaf in Kathmandu, I made many friends and gained the trust of the deaf community. My friends told me their stories and I began to see and even have a direct experience of their lives because I spent so much time with them. Volunteering gave me both inspiration and material for my work, while teaching sign language and art inspired my students. We were practicing the diplomacy of mutual inspiration. Gradually, my body began to learn the little details, and to know: the taste of Rojini’s samosas, the feeling of the brittle grass underfoot when I played soccer with the boys in the afternoons, the smell of jasmine entwined with that of the heavy smoke that fouled the air. I can still see the faces of my students as their hands shaped a new sign language word or learned to draw landscapes. As I was shaped by these experiences, I began to know and form a new, deeper understanding of Nepal and the deaf community there, and this newfound knowledge gave my writing a depth it didn’t have before. I just had to be there, and I was, and it was a Fulbright grant that made it possible.

A few things for writers (and other artists) to consider in their Fulbright research proposal:

Why do you have to go there? You can write (or make art) anywhere. In your proposal, make it clear why you need to go to a specific country to complete your project.

Spell it out. Once you arrive in your host country, your project may end up changing in ways you didn’t anticipate, but having a detailed plan will help you and the selection committees visualize your project.

Get in touch. Finding an affiliation isn’t just about getting a letter of support. It’s about finding organizations that are willing to work with you. Your proposal will help you articulate what you plan to do with the affiliation in question, how they can help you, and quite possibly, how you can help them.

Volunteer. Adding a service element can give your project proposal (and your grant experience) structure, and also shows the application committee that you’re serious about getting involved. Organizations may also be more invested in becoming affiliations if you’re offering something in return.

It’s about mutual inspiration. Your project proposal isn’t just about you and your research, but hopefully something bigger than just you. How can you make your project relevant to your host country and the community you’re working with?

Photo: Fulbright Alumni Ambassador Franz Knupfer, 2008-2009, Nepal (left), with a Deaf Nepali student.

Franz Knupfer’s article in the September/October 2010 issue of Poets & Writers provides in-depth information for writers applying for a Fulbright grant.

General Fulbright U.S. Student Program Q&A Webinar, Thursday, September 9, 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., EDT

Have questions about applying to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program? Thursday's Webinar is designed for applicants seeking to learn more about the program and the application process. All questions are welcome.

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A Much-Appreciated Change of Pace, By Thomael M. Joannidis, 2009-2010, Cyprus

My Fulbright year in Cyprus was characterized by adaptability. Initially, I planned to “hit the ground running” and begin immediately gathering quantifiable research results for my proposed project. During my first days, however, I realized the value of taking things slowly and devoting some time to getting to know the people and culture, while also finding ways to connect with the community. At first, my New York upbringing felt quite at odds with accepting that things do not always work on a fast-paced schedule and that, in the meantime, I should sit with locals, enjoy the lovely weather and a Cypriot coffee. Yet, it was often in these moments – without a voice recorder or a list of questions – that my research began and people became comfortable enough to share their lives. Changing my project’s pace allowed me to begin understanding the soul of Cyprus, what matters to the people and the rhythm of their lives.

Volunteering with two non-governmental organizations which also served as my affiliations was essential to getting acclimated. The work I did with Hands Across the Divide, a grassroots, bicommunal women’s peace group (meaning that there were both Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot members), and Future Worlds Center, a large organization working in a number of areas including the promotion of civil society and peace, was not usually related to my research. I appreciated their time and willingness to assist me with my research and felt that the best way to thank them was to volunteer my time. On Fulbright, everything becomes a learning experience and an opportunity for personal growth. I supported staff by helping to facilitate and prepare for events on a range of topics including development education, youth activism and annual organizational meetings. Sometimes, my tasks were more administrative in nature, such as preparing agendas or taking minutes. At other times, I had an opportunity to present and actually participate in the programming. One of my best memories occurred when I volunteered to help at a bicommunal youth activism retreat which involved camping on a natural, undeveloped beach, surrounded by the sea on one side, and rocky terrain on the other.

Volunteering also benefited me in two additional ways. First, it took some of the pressure off of rushing to complete my Fulbright project. Cyprus is so different from New York City. I think that without volunteering, I may have become too overwhelmed by being over 5,000 miles away from home and feeling pressured to complete my research. Instead, I always had something that needed my help, gave me new ideas to consider, and an opportunity to meet people. When it came time to conduct formal interviews for my project, I had already formed a network of people, some of whose first experience of working with me was as a volunteer. Second, volunteering helped to refine my research. The more events I attended, casual conversations I had, the more my research became something pertinent to my personal and professional experience, and to Cypriot life. Volunteering prepared me to conduct my research in a way that aligned more closely with Cypriot cultural expectations of communication, pace of life, and privacy.

Through the lens of my volunteer experiences, I began to explore the development and suppression of identity, predominantly gender identity, in Cyprus. Due to what is known as the “Cyprus problem,” which has kept the island geographically divided across ethnic lines, membership in one of the two main ethnic groups, Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots, has historically defined national identities. Other identifiers such as gender, sexual orientation, race, and immigration status, are often not acknowledged. Furthermore, social issues have been overshadowed by the political problem. My research sought to explore the relevance of other identities beyond ethnicity to those I interviewed. Is there any evidence of social issues, including discrimination, in Cypriots’ lives? How do they define themselves and their communities? What do they value? What impact has the “Cyprus problem” had on their identities?

As I write up my findings and prepare to present them at a conference in Cyprus this fall, I realize that embracing Cypriot culture is something that has not only helped my research truly evolve but also provided me with a different outlook on life – both professionally and personally. After nine months of research in Cyprus, I not only have a better understanding of how the country perceives gender identity, but also a better understanding of myself. I know now that I can succeed in Manhattan, the Mediterranean - or any place in between.

A few tips for applicants:

1. Make your proposal accessible to readers who may not know much about your subject. In fact, consider having people outside your field read it. Is there anything they would suggest or find unclear?

2. Stay positive - even on days when your progress feels less than optimal. Getting all of the moving parts of the application to converge can feel daunting. If you remain focused and persistent, it will all come together.

3. When seeking an affiliation, be creative, flexible, and leave yourself plenty of time. I found it helpful to connect first with an American organization located in Cyprus that could recommend specific in-country contacts. However you make contact with potential affiliations, remember that standards of communication abroad may vary. Receiving a response to an email, for example, may take more time than you are accustomed to.

4. Do not expect to complete the application in a very rigid, linear way. While you may want to send potential affiliations, recommenders and others a perfect and polished proposal, waiting for that to happen can take more time than you think and can hinder receiving valuable feedback to help develop your project.

Photo: Thomael M. Joannidis, 2009-2010, Cyprus, climbing up to St. Hilarion Castle on the Kyrenia mountain range.

Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Webinar, Tuesday, September 7, 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., EDT

This Webinar is designed for Fulbright U.S. Student Program applicants interested in learning more about Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) opportunities.

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CORRECTION: Today's Webinar on Finalizing Your Application Has Been Rescheduled to 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., EDT

Today's Webinar on Finalizing Your Application will take place from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The link to register remains the same:

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/810595499

We apologize for the inconvenience and hope that you will join the Webinar this afternoon.

Webinar on Finalizing Your Application, Tuesdsay, August 31,12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m., EDT

Jody Dudderar, Assistant Director and Program Manager for South America, Mexico and Canada, Fulbright U.S. Student Program, will discuss what applicants should be thinking about as they put the final touches on their applications. This Webinar will be particularly useful for those applying through a university with the assistance of a Fulbright Program Adviser.

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Webinar Today with Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors, Monday, August 30, 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., EDT

Today's Webinar will feature Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors Jessica Langley and Brett Martin. The Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors are a diverse group of Fulbright U.S. Student Program award recipients who have conducted research, studied or assistant taught English in an array of countries around the world. Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors assist in promoting the program by sharing testimonials about what it was like to be a Fulbrighter and offering tips on applying with applicants and Fulbright Program Advisers.

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Webinar on Applying to the Near East/North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa Regions, Thursday, August 26, 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., EDT

This Webinar is designed for Fulbright U.S. Student Program applicants interested in learning more about opportunities in the Near East/North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa regions. The Critical Language Enhancement Award will also be discussed.

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Webinar on Applying to the East Asia and Pacific Region, Wednesday, August 25, 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., EDT

This Webinar is designed for Fulbright U.S. Student Program applicants interested in learning more about opportunities in the East Asia and Pacific Region. The Critical Language Enhancement Award will also be discussed.

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Guatemala: Great Differences, Great Faith, By Elizabeth R. Bell, 2009-2010, Guatemala

One of the advantages of being a Fulbright student is the opportunity to collaborate with other Fulbrighters. Through the exchange of ideas and sharing of diverse talents, Fulbrighters can accomplish great things together. When I teamed up with Kara Andrade, a fellow Fulbright student in Guatemala, we organized a symposium that brought leaders of historically conflicting religions together to foster an open dialogue promoting positive exchange, respect, and understanding.

Guatemala is a country built on differences. While many nations make a claim to homogeneity for the sake of unification, Guatemala has always been a country of plurality. Home to a large Mestizo or Ladino community, there is an even larger Mayan contingent - around 60 percent of the total population. And within the Mayan population, there are 21 different ethno-linguistic groups.

The face of religion is changing in Guatemala. Historically, one of the most Catholic countries in Latin America, it is well on its way to becoming the region’s first evangelical country and is currently second after Brazil (according to a report by Ayuda a la Iglesia Necesitada (ACN) in 2009). Now, 50 percent of inhabitants are evangelical, or "non-Catholic Christians,” who attend dozens of Protestant denomination churches. Mayan spirituality, on the other hand, is more difficult to measure because while the majority of Mayans practice some form, they also often practice another religion.

It is precisely this environment of religious, ethnic and linguistic plurality that our symposium attempted to mediate. On July 17, 2010, fellow Fulbrighter Kara Andrade and I held a symposium entitled, “El Día y El Destino: Desde los Derechos Hasta el 2012,” (“Day and Destiny: From Rights to 2012”) in which we heard from a panel of six religious leaders: three Mayan Daykeepers (leaders of Mayan community spiritual practices), an Evangelical pastor, a director of a Christian community organization, and a Catholic priest. We brought together leaders of these often opposing groups to speak about what role religion might play in Guatemala’s future. Will religion continue to divide the population? Will Mayan spiritual practices only be recognized through tourism? Or, will these leaders, with all of their differences, be a source of positive guidance and unification for future generations?

A Mayan Daykeeper once told me that Guatemala is a country of great faith. As a country that has been battered by a recent four-decade civil war and that is still plagued by ongoing violence, many people look to ritual practices of faith for answers. These leaders, both Mayan and Ladino, were given space to speak publicly about what role they and their practices might have in leading the way to Guatemala’s future. While discrete answers are rarely arrived at easily, the symposium revealed that religious groups are not insulated according to ethnic groups. A Mayan may be Catholic or another Christian denomination, or practice traditional, spiritual beliefs while remaining proud of their Mayan heritage.

Regardless of ethnic or religious background, all Guatemalans share a desire for mutual respect and partnership.

As Fulbrighters, this symposium put us in contact with members of the Guatemalan religious community with whom we would not have otherwise interacted, making the overall experience much richer. More importantly, it became a tangible way to give back to the community that had shared so much with us. The connections afforded to us through the U.S. Embassy made it possible to find a venue for our event and identify leaders to serve on the panel. While the symposium was a venture outside of our original Fulbright projects – mine involves studying Mayan spiritual practices and Kara’s research is on fostering community journalism – the effects were far-reaching. By using the resources available to us through Fulbright, we were able to serve the community in which we have been living: we provided a means for them to take steps toward collaboration, agreement, and understanding.

The symposium’s recorded webcast (in Spanish) can be found on the HablaGuate website.

A few tips for applicants:

1. Take advantage of the many available resources in your host country or find a way to build connections before you apply. Does your host country have a language program you can enroll in? A project you can volunteer for through an NGO? Once you have your project in mind and know the community in which you will be working, it’s important to show that you have their support in your Fulbright application. This is mainly accomplished through your letter(s) of affiliation. Additionally, the connections you build early on will help you to be much more productive once you arrive.

2. Make sure you are very clear in describing how your project is unique. Will you be doing something that is needed greatly, offering a new perspective on an issue or working in a neglected area?

3. Have a clear plan as to how cultural exchange will regularly take place. What will you be giving back to the community, and how?

4. Don’t give up. If you don’t make the cut one year, visit the host country if possible, build connections, and revise your project for next year’s Fulbright U.S. Student Program competition. Often, new experiences will give you fresh ideas that are even better than your original ones.

Top photo: Elizabeth R. Bell, 2009-2010, Guatemala (center), participates in a Mayan ceremony at the Iximche' ruins, a sacred space in part of the pre-Columbian Kaqchikel-Maya capital city, that is still used today.

Bottom photo: Elizabeth R. Bell, 2009-2010, Guatemala, and her infant son admire the colorful sawdust alfombras (carpets) before watching the Catholic processions in La Antigua, Guatemala, held during Lent.