Santosh, India
Civil Engineering, Texas

The advising center...
I consulted with the Bangalore, India advising center. The center’s library was a wealth of information on various aspects of studying overseas, from university catalogs, to standardized test information and publications on application procedures. However, the most commendable service, which I believe helped me secure admits at renowned schools, was the critique of my essays.

Educational and cultural experiences in the U.S...
This campus has a diverse student population which is multicultural, multinational, and multi-disciplinary. Graduate Study in the United States is very demanding for certain disciplines (of which I believe I am pursuing one) and the relatively short time frame of 18-22 months when compared to the undergraduate study. Hence, time management is a skill that will absolutely become an integral part of a graduate student.

Understanding of the U.S. and Americans...
There has certainly been a significant change in my lifestyle and attitude since I landed in this country. The first year revolved around academic pursuits, and the better part of the day was spent in labs and libraries. I am hoping to travel more and spend my leisure time in this second year to understand the US, its policies, and the American people better.

Support for International Students...
The campus has a fairly large international student presence. There is a continuous effort being made to make the international community feel more comfortable while here, and the university policies on campus safety, diversity and quality of education have certainly been a welcome aspect.

Survival Tips...
“Survival” will definitely be based on nature’s laws: “Only the fittest will survive”. But then, the weaker will learn to become fit, and maybe the system will make them the fittest eventually. The entire experience has certainly made me more self-confident and independent. Students must evaluate their interests very closely and align them with universities that are pursuing similar research and not be driven by rankings or the hype. If your interests match the program expectations, then the rest will be a smooth ride.

Alexey, Russia
Mathematics, North Carolina

The advising center...
The advising center helped me a lot. They taught me how to write an essay and spent their time helping me filling out application forms and writing my statement of purpose. They also helped me with my visa application to make sure that I was doing everything correctly.

Educational and cultural experiences in the U.S...
My university has great research opportunities and very good library service. I can get any books I need for my research. I also have very good financial support for attending conferences. Now I have good American friends!

Understanding the U.S. and Americans...
After a year in the United States I've got some cultural experience communicating with students on campus, especially with graduate students in the office where I work. I am taking part in an international friendship program organized by the university), and as a result I have more good friends, including a wonderful American family.

Career Goals...
My adviser is one of the best researchers in the field of math. So, he gives me a lot of help. Moreover, the university has a big research group in the field of computer algebra, which is probably the best in the US. Attending conferences and giving talks in the US and many other countries (with the scientific and financial support of my adviser) provides me a great opportunity to meet other interesting people and gain better research experience. In a year I will also have teaching experience to be ready to do both research and teaching after I get my PhD.

Karina, Uruguay
Screenwriting , California

The advising center...
Working with the Fulbright Commission was and still is an enriching experience. Thanks to the fact that the Commission personally took care of sending out my application form to the universities recommended, I could focus on preparing for my academic program. Moreover, it was actually the Commission itself who recommended the college were I am currently studying. And to the day I am positive I couldn't have made a better choice. Fulbright has backed me up and stands by my side in this challenging and thrilling experience of being studying and interacting with the American culture.

Educational and cultural experiences in the U.S...
The most rewarding aspects are related both to the academic training I'm receiving as well as to the cultural experiences I'm fortunate enough to go through. Uruguay offers no master's degree in Screenwriting, and so studying abroad was a necessity. The training I'm receiving here is of a high quality and will prepare me to craft effective screenplays and share all the knowledge I'm acquiring with my fellow citizens once I return to my country. With regards to cultural experiences, studying in a country with such an international heritage as the USA opens up your mind about human diversity. People from all over the world come to this land to grow both as professionals and as individuals, with the most different cultural background.

Understanding of the U.S. and Americans...
I had already lived in the USA as a child, but coming back as an adult has given me the possibility to observe, interact and understand Americans in a mature way. American citizens are proud of their country and culture, yet at the same time they're open minded so as to allow foreigners come to their land to study and work. Americans also show an interest in "thinking outside the box" and learning about other cultures they are exposed to every day.

Survival Tips...
To research not just the USA but the community they’re going to live in while studying here and to keep an open mind to cultural differences that might seem to draw us further away from each other in the beginning. Looking into details is very useful for daily activities such as a nearby bank, a post office, and a supermarket. Trying to picture ourselves actually living in the place were we wish to travel to, from waking up early in the morning to coming back home late at night, and how we would deal with it, can help us prevent possible drawbacks before they actually occur.

Lyann, Philippines
Chemistry, Washington D.C.

The advising center...
"It helped me a lot in terms of preparing me for what to expect and for helping me in the transition of living in another country and allowing me to interact with other U.S.-bound students."

Educational and cultural experiences in the U.S...
"It was great! Being in Washington D.C. helped a lot in terms of the city being very international. Culturally, it was a great experience. I became friends with people from all over the world. You realize that borders are just lines on a map. When people from different countries get together in the spirit of friendship, there are no borders. The chemistry department is so diverse... there are students from virtually every continent. It was wonderful. I learned so much from just interacting with my fellow students in the department."

Survival Tips...
"I would quote from Mark Twain who said, 'Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream.'"

"The U.S. is indeed the land of opportunity. If you work hard and strive to be the best you can be, you will see the fruits of your labor."