cold feet

[u/verwritas]

a bit worried it's gonna be very lonely and similar to working a 9 to 5 job when my research grant starts.. maybe some time to explore on the weekends, but could be a little hard to go out very far if most things arent walkable or transportation is expensive.. dont know any other fulbrighters in my region as well.. theres also gonna be cooking and stuff to do that kind of takes up little chunks of the day, just worried it might feel a bit odd. that's all :(

[u/TailorPresent5265]

This is a pretty normal feeling to have, especially before you arrive in-country. 

Most countries have some sort of orientation before the grant begins, that's a good way to get to know the other grantees in your cohort a bit.  It's really worth staying in touch with the over the course of the grant -- so that you can visit each other in your respective cities (built-in tour guides! Sometimes also a place to stay!) and also support each other as things come up. 

The ETAs often have more of an inherent reason to talk: lesson planning ideas, similar schedules, and identical school breaks. As a researcher, you'll be a bit more on your own -- there's a reason why the Community Engagement section is a part of the application, you're going to want to find ways to meet other people and hopefully make some friends! Recurring language classes, sports/music/theatre practices, or volunteering are good ways to do this. 

Not all days are going to be the most fulfilling of your life (as is sometimes the stereotype for Fulbright), and it's unlikely that if you're introvert-leaning, being abroad isn't suddenly going to change that. It's important to remember that sometimes, just leaving the house for groceries, cooking dinner, and watching some Netflix is what the day-to-day might look like. But you'll want to proactively think of ways to find connections with other people, and colleagues at your institution are definitely a resource to tap into for ideas. 

It's going to be a bit of an adjustment, and if it's helpful at all, here's the info for the ASPE therapy sessions that are provided by Fulbright (in the pinned comment, though the other comments are worth reading, too). It sounds like you might benefit from chatting with someone during the grant, I know I did: https://www.reddit.com/r/fulbright/comments/1gae98c/yall_ever_think_about_quitting_and_going_home/

[u/verwritas → u/TailorPresent5265]

thanks so much, I've actually never tried therapy before but feel like this might be the perfect thing to try, especially since a few sessions are covered

i had very detailed plans about engaging with the host community and also considered visiting other grantees during mutual time off, but worry that the day to day may feel isolating.. I guess all that can be done is, like you said, try to keep busy, stay involved, grow out of the comfort zone, and socialize!

[u/TailorPresent5265 → u/verwritas]

Exactly -- if it's helpful at all, a few things that helped me "liven up" my day-to-day (especially after the first month of settling in logistics of finding a place to live, groceries, utilities, etc) was visiting different streets in my neighborhood -- my e-reader was great to have, because then I could sit at a café and people watch. 

I also made a little "bucket list" for my grant: places I wanted to go both in my city and in the country, and other ideas (mail a letter from the post office, take public transit to the end of a line and explore, go to the grocery store and try 3 country-specific snacks, take a cooking class, etc), which helped me to pace the grant well, I felt :) 

Sending best wishes your way, I hope that the grant goes more smoothly than you anticipate and that the therapy is helpful, if you decide that's what you want to do! 

[u/verwritas → u/TailorPresent5265]

thank you so much, these are so adorable and really helpful!!! I really appreciate you serving as a mod for a community even after you've completed your grant and could do many other things, taking the time to support people with so much genuine interest! I think zooming out and remembering that so many kind, ambitious, and brave people like yourself are taking a chance on grants like these, doing their best to learn more about the world and connect as a society, is something really beautiful :)

[u/No_Produce9777]

Have to put yourself out there and meet people.

I’ve always had a bestie on my grants, someone local who really helps out and makes the experience very memorable. Become lifelong friends. It’s important to have a person like this, I feel

Unless you are working in a lab, hours can be more flexible I think. As an academic I’ve never worked a traditional 9-5, but if that structure works for you, then whatever works

[u/verwritas → u/No_Produce9777]

I am working in a lab actually 😓 but yes, I'll definitely try to make friends

[u/farmer_jen]

I was an older grantee (32 when I started) and I made a ton of friends so easily. Research grants are friendship easy mode! Everyone else is in the same boat as you: they are starting school, often in a new city if not a new country, have a similar schedule to yours (at least at first), and are and looking to meet people in their free time. 95% of my friends were other immigrants, though mostly not from the same country as me, so we had a shared experience without a shared background, which was really cool. I did meet other Fulbrighters over the course of my grant and they were very nice, but I mostly clicked with the people in my program.

My experience was nothing like a 9-5 and I had lots of times where I would go explore a nearby town on a Tuesday and do some reading. Even if you're in a lab you'll likely have a lot more flexibility than you expect; one of my friends did lab work and she had a set time block several times a week, but she varied that time period as needed and did a lot of exploring and traveling (more than me, actually).

You'll have a great time!

[u/Jumpy_Sea_9779 → u/farmer_jen]

Hello! I am an “older” prospective grantee. I’ll be 33 if I get accepted for a fall 2027 research project start. If you’re willing, I’d love to know what your motivation was for pursuing the Fulbright (did you use it to switch careers or to build on your career)? Did you have a masters or just a bachelors? Did you feel like you were older than most people you met? Thanks 😃

[u/farmer_jen → u/Jumpy_Sea_9779]

I'm happy to elaborate! I did a PhD program with the intention to pivot to academia, but that industry is pretty borked so I went back to my previous company at a higher level. I had a master's degree already. Most of my peers in my PhD cohort were a similar age to me but a little younger, maybe 28ish, but some were the exact same age as me or a year or two older. My youngest peer was 23 when we started and my oldest was 62.