When asked what I would recommend to a future Fulbright scholar, the common things would be to take advantage of your classes, networking and do your research or get your degree. Nonetheless, I think that is a vain way to explain what Fulbright meant to me during this year.
Embarking on a Fulbright Scholarship is much more than academic enrichment, it's an incredible journey of building lifelong friendships with amazing people from around the globe. My “amigos for life” WhatsApp group I can describe was most of my experience of this year. The purpose of this blog is twofold, as I asked my friends to answer, “what would you recommend to a future Fulbrighter?” but the main one is to honor them by remembering this year through photos and vivid memories.
My Fulbright journey began at the pre-academic program at Michigan State University, a month-long experience filled with memorable classes, cultural insights, and genuine camaraderie. In the middle of Lansing, where you can be locked in the Capitolium if you don’t remember there are almost no Uber’s on a Sunday, where you can have amazing weather to walk through one of the big 10 campuses of the United States and discover the best roommate ever, Alan.
I met Alan during my first week, we both came from Mexico. During that month he was my running and gym 6:00 am buddy, I hoped that routine would be kept with me but didn’t haha. Briefly after the rest of the amigos for life group was formed: Humam, the amazing Iraqi communicator, who was passionate about the radio and now got his appointment as a TA at the Southern Illinois University, congrats Humam! Klaudia, who I still don´t understand her research in hydrology but its insanely intelligent. I made the mistake of not saying goodbye and still regret it but hope that you´re having a good time in Hungary and (bet) will visit you. Fatima, from Paraguay, who was the rational thinking of the group and is studying history preservation at UPenn, I still think she'd be a great addition to the Mexican history secretariat. Fatima, please give me the recipe for terere! Finally, Maureen who finished her master at the Krock School in the University of San Diego. She is passionate about making social change, has an incredible initiative, and the best dating advice, which unfortunately didn’t work when I tried to apply them haha.
During the initial month of my Fulbright grant, little did we know at the time how significant our bond would become. Our days started with engaging classes aimed at improving our writing and speaking skills, intertwined with seminars that prepared us to adapt smoothly to life in the U.S. After class, the dining hall was our go-to spot, where we shared meals, laughter, and our universal favorite ice cream! It became a comforting daily tradition. Still miss this.
Alan, Humam, and I quickly formed a gym group. One memorable highlight was teaching Humam how to swim, transforming gym visits into both fitness sessions and unforgettable bonding experiences. Humam learnt so quickly!
Weekends were always exciting. Official program trips took us to fascinating locations like the Michigan State Capitol, bustling Chicago, vibrant Detroit, an authentic Lansing baseball game, and the historic Henry Ford Museum. After each adventure, we naturally gravitated to our cozy "third floor" hangout spot to unwind, enjoy movies, share snacks, and deepen our friendships.
Beyond structured activities, our informal outings were equally delightful. Whether visiting the local zoo or enjoying the only open bar in town, each moment contributed to a shared treasure trove of memories. The Fulbright magic didn't end at Michigan State. Months later, we reunited in Houston during spring break. Renting an Airbnb, we explored NASA, savored delicious Texan cuisine, and reminisced about our initial adventures.
Now, I will share what my friends recommend for future Fulbrighters:
Alan: My advice for future Fulbrighters is to practice storytelling and be prepared for unexpected challenges. It can be difficult to return to student life after completing your undergraduate studies and being away from home, but it is one of the most rewarding experiences. I advise you to have your story ready, every Fulbrighter is an amazing person, and sharing your story creates bonding and highlights your uniqueness. Don’t forget to listen to other stories and enjoy every part of the journey!
Klaudia: Don't be afraid to take any opportunity that may seem like a big challenge! We're capable of so much more than we imagine, and we all feel the same way. The connections and friendships will be something that I'll be forever grateful for, so just stay open-minded and embrace this whole experience!
Humam: The Fulbright experience is without a doubt a challenging one. However, climbing a mountain requires strength and resilience! Aspiring to be a future leader means having the courage to take risks and face challenges! Great surprises, for sure, await at the top! First, essays, essays, and, again, essays! These are one of the main dealbreakers to winning the most prestigious scholarship in the world! Essays include, first, a personal statement, where I highly encourage you to use it as an opportunity to promote yourself, and be as authentic as possible, highlighting your struggles, your successes, and what has shaped you into who you are currently! Second, research objectives, in which you will have the space to share your research interests and what issues do you want to tackle while learning from the brightest minds in the U.S, and furthering your research skills. I highly recommend structuring your research objective essay by highlighting a major issue that you want to contribute to solving, this could be an educational, environmental, technological, and/or any other challenges. Additionally, focus on the W’s (e.g., who, why, when, and how) of your research plan, and try to demonstrate how earning a graduate degree from the U.S. will equip you with the necessary skills and expertise to form a positive impact on your targeted community!
And me: future Fulbright scholars from around the world: cherish these opportunities. The friendships you make will undoubtedly become some of the most meaningful connections of your life. My experience with Klaudia, Fatima, Maureen, Alan, and Humam prove that Fulbright doesn't just bring global education it creates friendships that last a lifetime. Fulbright is not only an academic experience, enjoy your months, or years as Fulbright scholar, you will miss them!
About the author:
Brandon García is a Fulbright-García Robles Scholar and Frédéric Bastiat Fellow. He is a Master of Energy Economics Student at Rice. Read more.
Further Reading:
Getting an Internship as a PhD student – Experience and tips