What is it like to be a Fulbrighter (Fulbright Fellow)?

 

What is it like to be a Fulbrighter (Fulbright Fellow)?

To be a #Fulbrighter is not just to be a person of excellence, but of inspiration.  

The goal to pursue higher education is of course to acquire more knowledge and deepen one's understanding of his or her field of expertise. But at the end of the day, you also desire to be the person who could inspire others to walk the same path as yours, or even be more. You radiate a vibe of being “positively ambitious”, by portraying an image of desiring all A’s, but remains to be humble at the same time. And more importantly, never forgets to look back and think, “how can I help my country after being a Fulbright scholar?” 

 

What is it like to be a graduate student?

 

Strong-willed though vulnerable at times. 

There can be long nights in the library, early dawn on the farm, or an entire day in the laboratory. Every day is like a marathon I did not sign up for and the finish line seems to be running away from me. I can’t tally how many brain cells die each day, and how much coffee flows in my blood. Needless to say, graduate school is tough. From coursework on top of your research hours and your teaching assistantship on the side, it just explains how strong-willed you are for graduate school. Though there are moments you feel helpless, you still want to finish it proud. You will finish it proudly. 

 

The Fulbright walk

 

What made you apply Fulbright?

Fulbright is a very prestigious organization in the Philippines and to finish your graduate school in the US is not just being with one of the best education systems in the world, but also living the dream! I have a solid group of “Fulbrighters'' in my workplace in our country. They all did their Postdoc degree as a Fulbrighter and every time someone comes back from the US and shares their experiences, I envision myself to be one of them too. 

 

When is it time for graduate school?

I don’t know. I guess it was when I already had that strong desire to find answers to my questions on buffalo reproduction and I wanted to explore more about it. I believed that going on to graduate school is the best option to achieve my goals. I know I needed more studying, a deeper understanding of my field, extensive research exposure, and honestly, I needed a break from my work. Studying abroad is like a working vacation for me too!

 

What did you include in your application portfolio?

Don’t sell yourself short. Put everything that you think is necessary. Seminars, training, volunteer work, membership in organizations, skills, they all count. Arrange your CV by highlighting items that are relevant and you think will be your edge for the position you’re aiming for (research/teaching). However, make sure that you are putting actual items and not your officemate’s certificate just to pimp your profile. 

In your personal statement, I believed it should revolve around your passion for doing research/teaching, expanding your knowledge, and on how to help your country. But I also put in my essay how I wanted to “live the American dream”, experience other cultures, learn new languages, meet new people and finally explore myself—what I am incapable of, what are the things I am goo

d at, do I like fishing or clubbing, do I prefer home-cooked meals or fast food,summer or winter, and other stuff that involved international exchange. 

 

What do you think is “special” in your portfolio that made you be in the shortlist?

The research objectives. It had to be something that I am passionate about and that my agency (Philippine Carabao Center) and the Philippines would benefit from it after I finish the degree. My answer was about increasing the reproductive efficiency of water buffaloes by improving female fertility. You have to be specific on how you want to achieve your objectives and why you have to study it in the US. I explained why my research cannot be done in our country and on how a University/Professor in the US can help me better with it.  

 

Also, my recommendation letters. I will forever be grateful for the kind words and support of those people who gave their recommendation for my application. My letters were written by a Fulbright alumnus, supervisor at work, professor in college, and my thesis adviser. Yes, you will be needing four letters. They were all outstanding in their field of study and served well as an instrument for my application. 

How is the interview process? What did they ask, and what did you answer?

The noise was even heard outside (another applicant told me!). Everyone was talking loudly and discussing my answers. They were delighted as they gave some follow-up questions and it showed how interested they were. It’s the longest 10-15 minutes of my life. Definitely not what I expected! Initially, I thought they were going to the nitty-gritty of my portfolio, but not. There were only two questions, or maybe it will only revolve with this: tell us something about your research and why do you want to do that in the US?

I think it also mattered how I want to experience what it is like to be in the US, how excited I am to meet new friends from different countries and appreciate their culture and share Philippine culture as well. I also shared that I want to be the ambassador of culture and goodwill of the Philippines in the US! 

 

How did you know you were selected?

When you receive an email, or a call asking for your availability for a final interview, it means you are already selected! I don’t know if this changed already, but that’s how it went for years. I can remember when Ms. Yolly texted me asking for a good time to call, and then she just gave the news of my final interview. The final interview is awarding you the scholarship and handing you over the most useful Fulbright folder.  

 

How long is the wait?

The entire selection, acceptance, placement is a waiting game. It will take you a year before you finally leave for the US. I got shortlisted and interviewed in February, then I received my notice of acceptance in April/May. TOEFL and GREs are set on August-September, then a period of rest. Then I started to look for a University in February next year, got admissions during the summer, did the departure orientation in June, and then flew by August. One year of waiting for two to five years (??) staying in the US is just worth the wait!

 

Are TOEFL and GRE required? How did you prepare for it?

Yes, but that is after the selection process. PAEF will pay for it, so just save your money! Just like any other exam, you have to study. Not so much preparation but just study – hard. And don’t forget to bring your jackets with you to the testing area. 

What did you consider in choosing your University?

I chose my university based on my “Professor.” He is a prolific researcher, a tenured-professor, took a lot of international students in his lab, his financial offer is appealing and generous. And lastly, his wife is a Filipina. Those were my reasons. And there are other factors I considered too. The Professor’s research interest, funding after the Fulbright Scholarship, funding for the research, and other possible research involvement and teaching tasks. Also, the opportunity to collaborate, and the overall strength of the department I will be in. Likewise, you may want to assess the location; are you a small-town girl like me, or a big city person? Do you want summer all year round or winter all the way? Things like that will help you decide where University and in what State you will best suit in.  

Two years after, I am now a Ph.D. candidate. How is it going now?

It’s not perfect, but I am living the dream! That’s how we always answer here in Oklahoma. Graduate school is tough, and let me remind you that’s what you are here for! However, if you are like me, who came to the US not just to study but to experience American life as well, I guess you will love the thrill of it. As cliché as this may sound but let me just say it, hard work will surely pay off at the right time. As for the extra-curricular part, I’ve visited eight states already! Not bad for a busy graduate student, right? 

 

Excel Rio S. Maylem

Fulbright Classic Degree Program 2018

Ph.D. Animal Science major in Reproductive Physiology

Oklahoma State University (2018-2021)

*I wrote this article because every year I receive emails from potential Fulbright applicants asking for some help as they dive into their application. I am hoping that with my experience, they will be more enlightened with the Fulbright process as well as going into grad school.