Fulbright Interview: What Would I Do Differently?
2022
The 2021-22 application cycle was the first time I applied for a Fulbright grant to Mexico. (I had applied once several years before to the Spain ETA program. More on that HERE.) I was absolutely thrilled when I received the news in early January that I was a semi-finalist! A few weeks later, I received an email from COMEXUS inviting me to a remote interview. If I could go back to 2022, here is what I would change leading up to the semi-finalist interview:
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I felt completely unsure what to expect from the interview and how to prepare. This caused me a lot of anxiety, and I didn’t prepare nearly as much as I should have, beyond reviewing my application essays.
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I received some really challenging questions - the kind that would have been difficult to answer in my first language, let alone in my second language. Simply anticipating blunt questions would have made a difference.
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I wish I had a recording of my 2022 semi-finalist interview. All I have to refer to are my memories of the questions and my responses.
If you find this post helpful, you will also enjoy the following post where I outline my response to each question I received in my 2022 and 2023 COMEXUS interviews:
2023
When I was a semi-finalist again in 2023, I was far better prepared for the interview. I followed a Spanish immersion regimen that served me very well. (More details on my regimen here: Tips for a Successful COMEXUS Interview). I expected tough questions, created talking points, and recorded the interview. Thanks to preparation and prior experience, the interview went smoothly.
Even so, there are a few things I could improve on:
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Listening back to the recording, I noticed that I said “that is a great question!” following every. single. question. In the future, I would note a few introductory phrases and expressions of gratitude to have ready throughout the interview.
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I referred to several panel members by their first names when responding to their questions. This was out of a desire to respond personally, and I floundered in the moment wondering what title (if any) to use. Since I didn’t know their degree level, I opted for first name. I have since learned that “maestro” is an acceptable title in Mexican culture whether the person has a master’s or doctoral degree.
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One or two of my responses could have benefitted from a brief introductory statement, giving me time to organize my thoughts before launching into the answer. Perhaps something like this:
“I am going to divide my response into two parts. First, I will discuss [abc]. Then, I’ll move on to [xyz].”
I hope that Fulbright applicants will find my experience and reflections on improvement helpful. To conclude, I must emphasize that it is essential to balance reflection on how you can improve with celebration of your achievement. Fulbright interviews put you on the spot, and you do the best you can in the moment. Slipping up a few times or choosing the wrong vocabulary word does not mean you are doomed. Read more of my thoughts on Fulbright “failure” and “success” here:
Failing your Fulbright Interview
This blog (www.melissaterrallpiano.com/blog) is not an official site of the Fulbright Program or the U.S. Department of State. The views expressed on this site are entirely those of its author and do not represent the views of the Fulbright Program, the U.S. Department of State, or any of its partner organizations.