“The Fulbright Student Program application deadline is on the corner and heart palpitations start at this stage of your application. I feel you! My name is Tsanta N. Rakotoarisoa, currently finishing my master’s in Environmental Science and Policy at Clark University in Massachusetts. I was in your shoes three years ago, so there are few advices I would love to convey to you to help you go through this worrisome period and finish your application stress free.

First, there is no time to spend on being anxious! It is the time to review your personal statement: does it tell the story about who you are as a person? What have you accomplished so far that shows your personality and aspirations? Same for your study objectives essay: does it explain clearly what studies you propose to pursue in the U.S. and why? How does this study proposal relate to your previous, current, and future academic and professional route and goals? What skills and knowledge have you assessed as vital to develop towards the achievement of your goals? These are few questions you can ask yourself at this stage of your application. And even for prospective applicants for next year, these questions are the starting points to prepare your application. Remember that the personal statement and study objectives are the most critical parts of your application. Have you asked someone to proofread your essays? If not, it is not yet too late to request few people to do that for you. One concrete guidance I can give is to reach out to your English Professors, your academic Professor, a Professor at the universities where you dream to study, your friends, or Fulbright Alumni. One of the keys to succeed in the U.S. is having the ability to find human resources to help you out and give you pieces of advice plus your dynamism in gathering and applying them in your projects. The quality of your essays already reflects your qualifications.

Second, I would love to uplift your spirit if you feel discouraged during the application process right now. Remember the core motivations that have stimulated your desire to apply for this fully funded scholarship in the U.S. Reiterate them in your heart, mind, notebook, and application. How does the Fulbright Program can partner with you in realizing your dreams? Currently, you might be caught by some lies circulating in your mind that if you will not be accepted, you are a loser or have wasted time or are not good enough. Stop this circulation of lies in your mind, get rid of them, and do not let them come back. Applying for the Fulbright Foreign Student Program has helped me reflect on myself, know myself, and identify clearly what I want to do and achieve on earth. I have applied twice; the first time was my training opportunity then I got accepted only 4 years later. Applying to the Fulbright program has strengthened my perseverance, increased my writing skills, nurtured my connections with great people, and has blown on the fire of my motivations in life. So, here is the word of encouragement for you: the rewards of applying to this amazing program are greater than being accepted to the program.

Lastly, dream already about what your U.S. experience would look like. Base your dreams on the reality of life and possibilities at the U.S. institutions or places you see yourself fitting. Base your dreams on the reality of what is happening around you and on issues you want to solve or improve in your community. Do not put any limit to what you can dream, otherwise your mind would not be receptive to doors open to you. You will need that when studying in the U.S. or elsewhere abroad. Thus, prepare your goals so that once you will make it to the United States, you got a plan, you know what to seek for, you know which course to choose, you will know what association you will adhere to, you will meet people from all around the world and will be able to tie friendship relationships and teamwork with them.

So that is it, folks! I wish you success in your application, no more worries, and revival of your motivations. I congratulate you as well for your energized desire for learning and gain further education, and for your heart that wants to bring development for our country. Persevere in seeking good as such because our nation, Madagascar, needs a person like you to bring the necessary transformation.”