The Zen of Fulbright: The Unofficial Guide to U.S. Fulbright Scholarships

This book was much more helpful than I thought it would be. It’s got tons of tips about applying for a Fulbright and about how to be a productive Fulbrighter overseas once you get the grant. I really appreciated all the quotes and stories from past Fulbright scholars, which present a multifaceted, real-world view of the experience. Lots of universities have advisers to help students apply for grants like Fulbright, but very few of these advisers are Fulbright scholars themselves, and the information they provide tends to be one-sided.In short, this book is written from the point of view of people who have actually done a Fulbright. The author is clearly very supportive of Fulbright and shares everything possible for those who are serious about the program to win a grant and have a successful experience abroad. I found it a very valuable read.

A great read about the Fulbright communityAn interesting read about the Fulbright Scholarship program and the kind of ideas-driven people who make up the Fulbright community. Lots of personal stories from the field, and lots of advice about doing independent projects oversees, even those that aren’t Fulbright. My favorite chapter was “The Habits of Successful Fulbrighters.” Wise words for anyone trying to push their ideas out into the world.

The Zen of Fulbright gives a comprehensive overview of the Fulbright U.S. Student Program and strategies for crafting a competitive application (I write this having served for the past ten years as a Fulbright Program Advisor at a major research university; I am also a former Fulbrighter myself). It provides the type of advice, strategy, and insight students would receive working with an established fellowship advisor. I recommend this book for students applying to the Fulbright “at-large” or students enrolled at smaller institutions without a knowledgeable FPA. For these populations, Zen could really help level the playing field. For students working with an experienced fellowship advisor already, there will be much overlap in the information and guidance provided; I plan to recommend this to students who are more independent learners (those who I have trouble convincing to schedule advising appointments). It is also a great resource for new Fulbright Program Advisors – I wish such a guide had been available when I first entered the profession!I would caution students against relying too heavily on the sample essays, some of which are a bit dated at this point. Sample essays are rather controversial and should be taken with a grain of salt; one never knows whether an applicant was selected for a Fulbright because of a great essay or in spite of a mediocre one.