This summer marked four years since my Fulbright Summer Institute in Belfast, Northern Ireland. While I’ve talked about Fulbright scholarships, study abroad, and studying abroad in Belfast in other articles, I’ve never talked directly about my Fulbright Summer Institute experience. Quite honestly, I couldn’t find the words to describe everything that came out of this program. While there is still no way to encapsulate how transformational this program was in words, I’m going to do my best to outline my experience and anything you might need to know if you are interested in applying.
Why a Fulbright Summer Institute? Why Belfast?
In all honesty, my reason for applying for a Fulbright Summer Institute in Belfast was stupid. In college, I studied International Security and Conflict Resolution (ISCOR) at SDSU. As you might expect, I was very interested in conflict resolution, international relations, and different cultures. Additionally, Derry Girls had recently come out on Netflix. I loved this show. I loved the humor and the look at the conflict. It was one of the funniest things I’d ever seen, and it got me reading a lot more about the Troubles.
Later that month, in January, my Honors College sent out a notice about Fulbright Summer Institutes. I kind of scrolled through it quickly, and I noticed Belfast. At first, I was going to click out of the email, but I clicked on the Queen’s University Belfast tab instead. I read a bit about the program. At the time, it offered three different programs, one of which was called Conflict Transformation and Social Justice. I felt like there was zero point in applying, but I remained curious about it. In mid-January, I decided to apply for the QUB Fulbright Summer institute.
To be 100% honest, I wasn’t interested in studying anywhere else. For me, it wasn’t about getting a Fulbright. Later on, I met some advisors who focused more on just getting “a Fulbright” for their students, not necessarily getting them the experience they wanted. I just wanted to see Belfast, and I think that made a difference.
What Were the Application Requirements?
The application requirements were part of the reason I applied so late. In order to apply, you need a college GPA, which doesn’t happen until after the first semester. To be apply, you must have above a 3.7 GPA. Additionally, you need to be older than 18 and have two or more years left at university, essentially meaning that you need to be a freshman or sophomore. They look for people who haven’t traveled much in general, but specifically US citizens who haven’t really traveled outside of the North America.
Finally, you should be available for the dates of the program you’re applying to. This means that you can’t just show up for half of the program and then go on a European vacation halfway through or go home if you don’t like it. You need to ride out the entire program, otherwise I believe you need to pay for your experience.
How Was the Application Process?
Unfortunately, the application process was pretty tight for me. The application was due in early February, so I only had two weeks to get my application done. Fulbright Summer Institute applications technically open in November, so if you already have a college GPA, you’re set.
The application itself had quite a few components. There were the obvious academic parts (GPA, extracurriculars, ordering transcripts, etc.). In addition to this, there were some short response questions and a personal statement. Finally, there were letters of reference to collect. At least one had to be from a professor. I recommend starting on these early so that your recommenders can give you a good reference!
The interview terrified me. I didn’t have much time to prepare, and I frantically did mock interviews and researched every possible thing I could about Belfast and the Troubles. The night before, I barely slept and just rehearsed interview answers in my head. I did my 20-25 minute interview early in the morning from my dorm, and I pretty much wrote it off after. I was frustrated at myself and sure that I wasn’t going to get the scholarship.
Getting the Scholarship
I found out about a week later that I got the scholarship. I’d been checking my email throughout the entire week with an anxious anticipation of the rejection I was sure to come. I saw the email come through as I was getting ready to go to my 9:30 Environmental Science class, and I braced myself for the worst. When I saw the “congratulations, you’ve been selected” at the top, I cried. I’m not the biggest crier, and I’d never cried from joy before, but it was an incredibly special moment. It felt like all of my work throughout high school and college had paid off.
For me, this was something that I’d desperately needed at the time. I was burnt out from years of busting my ass without a real “finish line.” I wanted novelty and excitement, and I wanted to see that everything I’d done was worth it. The first thing I did was call my parents and my grandparents, as everything I’d earned was due to their support and the foundation they created for me. After that, I went to my class as a mess and kept checking my phone to make sure it hadn’t been a mistake.
To this day, the memory of that day is one of the most beautiful memories I have. I know that my friends who I met during the Fulbright Summer Institute feel very similarly.
My Amazing Support Network
I was incredibly lucky to work with a study abroad advisor from the Weber Honors College throughout this entire process. Her support was incredibly valuable. While obviously nobody can help you to write your essays or do your application for you, she was able to give me great advice as to what previous students had found useful, what Fulbright was looking for, and what to generally avoid. When I moved on to the interview part, she did mock interviews with me, even though it was last minute. After I got the scholarship, she connected me with another student who had done the program. I genuinely couldn’t have done this without her support, knowledge, and encouragement.
What Was the Timeline?
For me, the timeline was roughly like this:
- Late Winter Break (January): found out about program
- Late January: did application
- First week of February/beginning of second week: application due
- Late February: notified that I made it past the initial screening
- Early April (4/3): found out I was shortlisted, scheduled interview
- Mid April (4/9): interview
- Mid April (4/16): found out I got the scholarship
- June 22-July 20: Fulbright Summer Institute in Belfast
I will note that according to their website, the dates are a bit different. They say that shortlisted candidates receive notification in late March and are interviewed toward the end of April, then notified in May. I would take this more seriously, as it is updated for this year and their timeline might have changed.
How Did I Prepare?
Quite honestly, I didn’t. The US-UK Fulbright Commission sent out some things in late April on how to prepare, the logistical steps, and what to know. They sent out information about the programs a bit later. I obviously went through all of these steps, but other than that, I pretty much just waited and read more about the Troubles.
I did have the opportunity to meet with a girl at my school who had done the program the previous year. This was very useful, as she was able to answer some questions and put my mind at ease for logistical questions. I.e., did I have to bring my own bedsheets and towel? (The answer was no)
This was my first time being out of the country (other than to Mexico), and it was my first time really traveling alone. I got pretty nervous as the date approached. However, the nervousness was mixed with excitement, and since then, it has become the first of many solo travels!
Departure Day!!!
All the nerves! Fulbright books your flights for you from your nearest airport. For me, it was a flight from San Diego to Las Vegas, Vegas to Manchester, then Manchester to Belfast. I will note that these flights aren’t going to be the most comfortable thing you’ve ever experienced. They’re booked last minute and the commission doesn’t want to go over budget. It might suck being the middle seat in the back of the plane, but it’s free and that is incredible, so you really have no reason to complain.
My departure and arrival were a little hectic. I double-checked about a million times that I didn’t need to collect my luggage and that it would meet me in Belfast. Spoiler alert: it was lost for five days, and I panicked a ton. I’d definitely recommend using an Airtag now.
Apart from the lost luggage, I had a two hour delay in Vegas. This delay made me arrive to Manchester late for a connecting flight that was already tight. Nineteen year old me panicked like you wouldn’t imagine, especially because I got a little lost in the airport. I had to go through security again, and everyone there was so nice. The people let me cut the line because my flight left in literally 20 minutes, and the airport workers were incredibly kind to me as they helped me rush through borders and security. I managed to make my flight on time and even met two of the other Fulbright Summer Institute participants on the flight.
Arrival and Accommodations
We touched down in Belfast in the middle of the day. After I finished panicking about my lost luggage (thank goodness for the carry on bag and backpack), I took a taxi with my new friends to our lodging, which was a university dorm in City Centre. We were so lucky to be staying in a fairly updated dorm that was close to everything. Fulbright put all of us in an apartment together. Staying there was amazing to me because it was nothing like US dorms. All six of us stayed in the same place, but we each had our own bedroom and tiny bathroom. We shared a hallway, a kitchen, and a living area.
This was fantastic, as it allowed us to socialize, but not be crammed on top of each other like sardines. Everyone else from the Queen’s Summer Institute was also in the same building, so we got to see familiar faces all the time. Another bonus was that the accommodations were cleaned about once or twice a week (if I remember correctly), so we didn’t need to worry about buying cleaning supplies. The facility included laundry machines like a typical dorm, and they also provided sheets and towels. I found it to be a cheerful, clean place, and genuinely enjoyed my stay there.
The US-UK Fulbright Summer Institute Cohort
There were six of us in my cohort (five girls, one boy). While we did interact with and make friends with other participants in the program, I found that our Fulbright cohort stuck together most closely. In my opinion, the Fulbright commission did a really good job of putting us together, and it felt like we were a thoughtfully curated group.
We came from all over the US with backgrounds ranging from medical science to linguistics. We had different interests, different political views, and different reasons for applying. However, we all had the same drive and were highly ambitious. It was truly a group where we complemented, challenged, and learned from each other daily. Through our month in Belfast, we only grew closer, and I still consider them close friends to this day.
The First Day + Orientation
On the first day, we all just wanted to explore! In order to get adjusted to the time zone, I didn’t sleep until the night. It was exhausting, but worth it in the end. We walked around Belfast and were generally amazed at everything it had to offer. It was incredibly difficult from the US, and I laugh now at how astounded I was at literally everything, but those moments were unforgettable.
The next day, we had our orientation. Breakfast was provided by the hotel next door, as it was every morning. The breakfast was delicious! After that, the student assistants met us in the dorm and brought us there. It was a good walk from the dorms to the school, and it gave us a chance to get to know the city a bit better. As we walked, the student assistants, who were Masters or PhD students, told us more about everything and gave us some tips on what to do. They were amazing throughout the entirety of the program, both in terms of knowledge and personality.
We arrived at the university and got a tour from the lovely student assistants. Throughout the day, we did the necessary paperwork, got an orientation, and were welcomed to the school. We had a delicious lunch and some trivia in the Great Hall, and it felt like something straight out of Harry Potter. I have some pictures of the building, but they can’t show you even half of its magnificence. It felt like being thrown into a completely different world, and throughout my time there, I was constantly astounded by the sheer beauty of the place.
The Structure of the Fulbright Summer Institute
School ran from 9:30-4 on most days. There were usually three lectures a day with a half hour break and an hour break for lunch. During the lunch break, my friends and I would typically walk over to the student hub a few streets over. Here, they served $3.50 (or rather, GBP) meal deals. This included a sandwich, a drink, and a candy bar/chips. They also had a rewards program, which we cashed out on twice in our time there. The mere idea of getting that much food for that little money was incredible to us, but it honestly wasn’t bad, either.
Lectures
The lectures were delivered by various professors, all of whom were truly interesting people. Not everyone was from Northern Ireland; there were professors from the US, Canada, England, Ireland, and more. The entire point of this program was to expose us to different viewpoints and a comprehensive look at the conflict, and it succeeded in doing this by a landslide. From the speakers to the topics to the field trips, I felt that everyone’s voice was included. By the end of the program, I had a very holistic grasp of the Troubles.
Lecture topics ranged from things like “Introduction to the History of Northern Ireland” and introductions to various theories and political parties to things like “Policing and Police Reform in Northern Ireland,” the portrayal of trauma in film, border dynamics, talking to youth in conflict areas, feminism in conflict, and more. If you are even remotely interested in conflict resolution, this is truly, truly interesting stuff. The presenters were all incredibly knowledgeable. Most had real-world experience to speak to as well.
Field Trips
About once or twice a week, the school took us on field trips to various points on interest in Northern Ireland. Some places were directly related to our focus and others weren’t. Some examples included:
- Twelfth July celebrations/activities
- Giant’s Causeway
- Derry
- Crumlin Road Gaol
- Titanic Museum
All of these were guided and incredibly informative. I felt that we got a very holistic view of all of these places and a compassionate telling of the history behind them. There was no extra charge for these field trips, and breakfast and/or lunch was served at long field trips. These were my favorite part of the Fulbright Summer Institute, and they’re also where we got to explore the most and make the most memories.
The Stipend
Each week, we’d get some money in an enveloped from a representative of the Fulbright commission. My friends and I didn’t eat at super fancy places, and I found it to be more than enough to cover my meals. I even had a little bit of extra money left over at the end, not counting the money I spent when we went down to Ireland.
Getting Credit
We got a certificate of completion for completing the entire program and actually attending the classes. However, if we wanted academic credit, we had to write a paper answering one of two topics, submit it, and get it graded. The submission date was almost a month after the program ended. I wrote my paper when I came home, and I ended up getting five US credits out of it. These credits were applied to my major, and they also counted for my study abroad at SDSU.
What a Typical Day Looked Like
There wasn’t necessarily a “typical day,” but most of our days were pretty structured. On non-field trip days, we would go to breakfast at the hotel next door, eat with other people from the program, and walk to Queen’s. Classes ran from 9:30-4. After 4:00, my friends and I would usually rest for a bit and then go out to dinner or explore the city. It didn’t get dark until almost 11pm, so there was tons of time to see the sights. A few times a week, we would pop into the local pubs and have a fantastic time.
The weekends varied a bit. Usually, we’d use the time to take a bus or a train up to another city or to do a longer outing. This might look like a hike, a trip to Dublin, or touring some castles. In Belfast, we’d go to museums, the mall, new cathedrals or churches, gardens, and St. George’s Market. My friends and I did a pretty good job of not cramming too much in and truly enjoying our time. That seemed to be the key–do enough to get the most of your Fulbright Summer Institute, but don’t stress yourself out.
Belfast/Northern Ireland in a Nutshell
It’s impossible to describe a place in a paragraph, especially a place as complex, layered, and beautiful as Northern Ireland. Just as you might expect from its history, there are many sides to it and many things to be cognizant of. With that being said, I never felt unsafe, and I honestly felt safer there than in the US. There was an incredibly vibrant nightlife, and the people I met were overall so friendly and so helpful. Northern Ireland is often overlooked or grouped as part of the UK or part of Ireland (hence the struggle), but in my time there, I came to appreciate it as somewhere truly unique to itself.
Furthermore, there’s something for everyone. The nature is beautiful. Rolling green fields outside the city, gorgeous flowers, cute sheep, and plenty of hiking opportunities await you. Inside the city, you’ll find beautiful gardens and a greenhouse. If you’re a history person, Belfast delivers that in droves. If you are a reader, you’re in the home of Seamus Heaney and other literary greats. Do you just want to travel? You have a fairly affordable city filled with things to do at your fingertips. Want to try pub culture? I’ve never gone to a pub I liked better than in Belfast. It quite literally has everything.
Return Day + Being Back in the US
At the conclusion of the Fulbright Summer Institute, we had a little celebration/ceremony with the entire Queen’s cohort. The next day, super early in the morning, we all bid farewell and returned home on flights that Fulbright booked for us. It was exhausting with many delays and mishaps once more, but primarily emotional because I was leaving a place and people that I’d grown to love so much.
Upon arriving in the US, I worked through the jet lag to finish my paper to get university credit for the program. While I don’t remember experiencing too much reverse culture shock, I do remember doing double takes at silly things like which side of the road people were on or how I should turn my head when crossing the street. The fact that everyone spoke the same language made it much easier for sure. Overall, from the moment I landed on US soil, my main question was when I would be able to return to Belfast.
Positive Impacts of My Fulbright Summer Institute Experience
The only negative impact of this experience was that it was one of a kind. I gained so much from it. Over that month, my confidence in myself and my communication abilities increased, which later helped me professionally. I was able to study in a completely different school system, and the feeling that I had 100% chosen this for myself without having any obligations made me so much more invested in it. The personal, intellectual, and professional growth all happened so fast, and I would not be the person I am today without this experience.
Within my own university, I had the chance to do a press release and be interviewed for an article, which you can find here and here. This was such an interesting opportunity, as I’d never experienced anything like it before. Just being selecting for a Fulbright Summer Institute made the entire staff, especially within my Honors College and major, incredibly excited. Their support and encouragement throughout this process were invaluable.
Additionally, throughout the rest of my university career, I had these wonderful experiences to speak to, and I found that some professors in other departments recognized me because of my accomplishments with Fulbright. Feeling like you are seen and valued in a large school like SDSU really is a wonderful feeling, and I would say that Fulbright was the start of that for me.
Finally, I made some lifelong friends from my summer institute. These amazing women are some of the smartest, kindest people I’ve ever encountered, and I genuinely cannot wait to have more adventures with them.
Some Highlights of the Fulbright Summer Institute
- Getting to see Derry!
- Staying in a colonial farmhouse outside of Dublin
- Experiencing so much live music and culture
- Seeing the region’s dark humor in action
- Hiking to the top of a hill (in the rain) to see the entire city
- Learning about how museum curators put together exhibits on difficult subjects
- Seeing the super interactive Titanic museum
- Getting used to castles just being everywhere
- Going to school in one of the most beautiful buildings I’d ever seen
- Hearing government officials debate hot topics
- Talking to locals in pubs
- Doing press releases and articles for my university
- Meeting my Fulbright Summer Institute friends
A Final Word
It sounds incredibly cliché and dramatic to say that this experience was formative and lifechanging, but it’s 100% true. Not only was this my first time really traveling abroad, but it was also my first time truly being on my own. The knowledge, confidence, skills, and overall maturity I gained from this one month impacted both my identity as a student and as a person. To this day, my Fulbright Summer Institute experience was one of the best things I’ve ever done and one of my proudest accomplishments. I am forever grateful for this opportunity and truly have zero bad things to say about it.
Retrospectively, this experience was even more of a blessing than it seemed like at the start. The pandemic happened at the end of my second year of college, and I graduated in three years. Another study abroad was virtually impossible. While I was disappointed that I never really had the opportunity to go abroad for a semester like I initially planned, I was still incredibly happy with the opportunity I was given.
If you see the invitation to apply to a Fulbright Summer Institute over the next few months and are on the fence about it, do it. This was a lifechanging summer for me, and it was an incredibly opportunity that I am still so, so grateful for. Everyone else I know who participated in one feels the exact same way. It felt like living a dream with no strings attached. Even if you feel like I did and you think you have no chance, apply. This is one thing you won’t regret, and you will get memories and experiences to cherish for a lifetime.
