Fulbright Foreign Student Program
Sponsored by the U.S.
Department of State, Bureau of
Educational and Cultural Affairs
Welcome
Fulbrighters
Presentation Overview
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Fulbright Partners
Your Fulbright Grant
Your Fulbright Advisor
Reporting Responsibilities
Understanding J Visa Regulations
Work Authorization
U.S. Tax Filing
Academic Integrity
Cultural Adjustment & Mental Health
ASPE
Harassment & Appropriate Behavior
Resources
Questions?
Fulbright Partners
U.S. Department of State
Bureau
U.S.
of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Embassies
Bi-national Fulbright Commissions and Foundations
Administering Agencies
Understanding Your Fulbright
Grant
• Fulbright Programs can vary by
program type, country, and funding
source.
• Refer to Fulbright Terms of
Appointment or Commission Grant
Documents.
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The Role of Your Fulbright
Advisor
Assist and support you during your
program.
Address personal and academic
concerns.
Liaise with your university offices.
Interpret J visa regulations.
Manage your immigration
record.
Reporting to Your Fulbright Advisor
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Address Updates: Always notify your Fulbright advisor of an address change
within 10 days of moving.
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Full-time Enrollment: Must be enrolled full-time every term (except in the last term
of the program) or engaged in approved academic activity.
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Academic Progress: Must make satisfactory academic progress.
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DS-2019 & I-94 card: Must be valid and available during your stay in the U.S. If it
is lost, it must be replaced as soon as possible.
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Work Authorization: Always request authorization prior to beginning work (if your
program country allows employment).
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Travel: Must have a travel-validated DS-2019 in order to re-enter the U.S. The
signature will reconfirm your status to U.S. Department of
Homeland Security.
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Passport: Must always be valid. You may renew it in the U.S.
Academic Reporting Requirements
• Proof of Enrollment/Official Transcripts/
Academic Progress Reports:
• You must demonstrate good standing: meaning at
least a 3.0 cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)
and no more than one incomplete course per
semester.
• Visiting Researcher Progress Report.
• Summer Plans Confirmation.
Understanding Fulbright and
J Visa Regulations
Fulbright Program:
The Fulbright Program, an international educational exchange
program sponsored by the U.S. government, is designed to
increase mutual understanding between the people of the United
States and the people of other countries.
J Visa Purpose:
J visas (or exchange visitor visas) are nonimmigrant visa
provided for people who are approved to participate in exchange
visitor programs in the United States.
212 (e): Two-Year Home Residency
Requirement
Objective: You are expected to return to your
home country to share the skills and knowledge
that you acquired in the U.S.
Requirement: Consequently, you must be
physically present in your home country for a
total of two years prior to applying for an
immigrant visa.
Additional Information: http://j1visa.state.gov/
Work Authorization
• As a Fulbrighter, you are expected to be fully engaged in
your approved academic and cultural exchange program as
outlined in your Fulbright grant documents.
• You must receive prior authorization from your Fulbright
advisor before seeking employment. Working without
prior authorization will jeopardize your Fulbright grant.
• Program Policies & Stipend Reduction:
– your Fulbright stipend may be reduced by any earned income.
– policies vary from country to country.
• If approved, work hours are limited to:
– 20 hours a week during the academic year.
– 40 hours a week during official academic breaks.
U.S. Tax Filing Obligations
• All J-1 exchange visitors must report information to the Internal
Revenue Service (IRS) while in the U.S. Depending on your sources
of funding and employment (when approved) in the U.S., you will
need to apply for an identification number – either a Social Security
Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
for U.S. tax filing purposes.
• Fulbrighters who will not earn income in the U.S. and do not receive
funding through U.S. sources do not need to apply for an SSN or
ITIN, but are required to file a Statement for Exempt Individuals (IRS
Form 8843).
• If you have U.S. source income to report to the IRS, your Fulbright
advisor will email you about applying for an Individual Taxpayer
Identification Number (ITIN) and filing your U.S. tax forms.
Academic Integrity
• Definition of Plagiarism: In an instructional setting, plagiarism
occurs when a writer deliberately uses someone else’s language,
ideas, or other original (not common-knowledge) material without
acknowledging its source.*
• 3 Key Tips to avoid plagiarism:**
– “When you say you did the work yourself, you actually did it.”
– When you:
• “rely on someone else’s work, you cite it.”
• use someone else’s words, “you quote them openly and accurately, and you
cite them, too.”
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“When you present research materials, you present them fairly and truthfully.”
• Plagiarism and cheating are very serious offenses in the U.S.,
and they can result in expulsion from your university and
revocation of your Fulbright grant.
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* Council of Writing Program Administrators.
**From Succeeding as an International Student in the US & Canada by Charles Lipson. University of Chicago Press. 2008, pg. 60.
Cultural Adjustment
Symptoms of culture shock:
- homesickness
- hostility/irritability
- depression or anxiety
- dependence on others
Suggestions for dealing with culture shock?
Image adapted from http://www2.pacific.edu/sis/culture/pub/2.2.1-_Returning_Home.htm
Maintaining Good Mental Health
At some point during their studies in the U.S., most Fulbright
grantees deal with issues related to stress and/or mental health.
Seek help early before problems become unmanageable – don’t be
ashamed or afraid to ask for help.
Suggestions for maintaining good mental health
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Eat well, sleep well, and take good care of yourself.
Exercise and do outdoor activities to relieve stress and tension.
Take a break from your studies and have some time to relax.
Remain flexible and open-minded.
Talk to someone from your cultural background for tips.
Make friends and engage with the local community.
If you start having difficulties
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Talk to someone at the university with whom you feel comfortable – i.e
your international student advisor or academic advisor.
Visit the university’s counseling/mental health center.
Talk to your friends, family, and/or your Fulbright advisor.
Accident and Sickness Program for
Exchanges (ASPE)
ASPE covers:
• unexpected illness or injury that requires immediate treatment;
• immunizations (if required by the university); and
• prescription medicine.
ASPE does not cover:
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health care for dependents;
routine dental care;
routine eye exams;
preventative health care (e.g. check-ups); or
medical treatment or prescriptions related to a condition that you
had before you traveled to the U.S. (pre-existing condition).
Administered by: Seven Corners
http://usdos.sevencorners.com
1-800-461-0430
Understanding Harassment &
Appropriate Behavior
What is harassment?
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Unwelcomed, uninvited, or threatening behavior towards another person.
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Harassment can be verbal, physical, or cyber/electronic.
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Harassment can be based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or
ethnicity.
Keep in mind that you can be either the harassed or the harasser.
Why should I worry about harassment?
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It can happen to anyone.
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Harassment is not always obvious.
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Cultural norms vary widely.
Understand harassment prevention and rights. If you’re not sure, ask.
Examples?
University Resources
International Student Office: provides support specifically for
international students, including information on campus activities and
organizations and resources in the local community.
Academic Advisor: university faculty/staff who assist with course
planning and academic concerns.
Academic Center: provides academic support for all university students,
including tutoring, writing workshops, and time management sessions.
Counseling & Health Services: on-campus facility staffed with trained
personnel to address physical or mental health concerns.
IDENTIFY THESE RESOURCES ON ARRIVAL AND TAKE
ADVANTAGE OF THEM REGULARLY
Fulbright Resources
AMIDEAST
http://www.amideast.org/fulbri
ght/grantee_resources/8.5x11
%20HANDBOOK.pdf
IIE
http://foreign.fulbrightonline.or
g/current_grantees.html
LASPAU
http://www.laspau.harvard.edu/grantee
_guide/fulbright/about_fb.htm
Questions?