During Your Program

Arrival

Have the following documents and information available for presentation:

  • U.S. passport with visa (if visa needs to be obtained in advance)
  • Signed Fulbright grant terms and conditions
  • Address for intended lodging. If grantees do not have a permanent address, grantees should have a short-term address (such as a hotel) available.
  • Contact information for Fulbright Commission/Post

Grantees may be required to clear immigration and customs in some countries. 

Inform your host institution and Fulbright Commission/Post of your arrival.

Confirm the arrival date in the IIE Participant Portal.

An orientation and/or security briefing may be provided by the Fulbright Commission/Post. Grantees may also be required to register as foreign nationals with the host country’s government, and assistance may be provided by the Fulbright Commission/Post in this process.

Settling In

Fulbright alumni report a variety of experiences when adjusting to life in their new surroundings, some more extreme than others. Preparation through background reading, conversations, online forums, and other means can be invaluable. The Commission/Post may have a list of helpful resources specific to the location, and grantees can also reference the Pre-Departure Resources page for additional information.

Housing and Living Accommodations

In most cases, grantees are responsible for securing their own housing arrangements. Some host institutions provide housing as part of the grant. If housing is not provided by the host institution, the Commission/Post can advise on potential neighborhoods or best practices in securing housing for the duration of your stay.

When seeking housing, keep the following in mind:

  • Safety and security (Some locations may have restrictions for where you may reside and/or require the Regional Security Office to review and approve housing arrangements.) 
  • Monthly housing allowance budget
  • Distance from research site(s)
  • Distance from urban areas
  • Distance from affiliated university
  • Distance from K-12 education for dependents, if applicable
  • Access to public transportation

Contact Fulbright alumni to learn more about their experiences leasing property in the host country. In some countries, landlords may require advance payment for several months of the lease. It is best to determine what is required prior to your arrival. It may be necessary to stay in a hotel or short-term housing for a few days or weeks until permanent accommodations are secured. Taking time to determine a short-term housing arrival plan can be beneficial.

The Commission/Post can provide current information on housing options. Once housing arrangements are made, grantees must report their new address and phone number to the Commission/Post. Please let IIE know if the host provides housing.

Money and Banking

Most grantees will be able to access grant funds using their debit card. If this is not possible, it is a grantee’s responsibility to make arrangements with the bank or credit union so funds may be accessed in the country of assignment.

Grantees may wish to open an account for check cashing or other financial transactions at a local bank upon arrival in the host country. Most U.S. embassies and consulates cannot cash checks. Be sure to find out about currency exchange rates and fees before a transaction takes place. Fees and rates can vary depending on the establishment.

Many countries regulate the amount of local currency you can bring into or take out of the country. Other countries require a minimum amount of currency for an exchange. If planning to leave the United States with $10,000 or more, grantees will require a special license from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Check with the embassy or consulate of the country or countries you will visit before you go.

Visa and MasterCard credit and debit cards are widely acceptable for general purposes and obtaining cash advances. Prior to departure, consult with your bank or credit union to confirm that your card is accepted in the country. Fulbright alumni or Commission/Post staff may be able to suggest banks with locations in the host country and in the United States. While Visa and MasterCard may be widely used internationally, some locations may not accept other credit card companies (e.g., American Express, Discover).

Try not to travel with large amounts of cash. When carrying cash, keep large bills out of sight, and do not go through your cash in public places. Be sure not to keep all of your money in one place. This is a good practice in order to prevent the loss of all of your cash funds if you experience a home burglary. Keep a list of all of your credit card and document numbers in the event your wallet or cash reserves are lost. Leave this list in a safe place, or with someone in the United States whom you can call to assist in canceling your credit cards. It is also a good practice to contact your credit card companies and banks to let them know the dates and duration of your overseas travel in advance of your trip. If a credit card company or bank is not notified of overseas travel, it may put a hold on a credit card used overseas.

It is a good idea to always carry U.S. dollars when traveling, particularly in small denominations. U.S. dollars may come in handy in countries where cash is not readily available. Also, be sure to change some dollars into the local currency of the host country before departure or in the airport immediately upon arrival. (Crisp U.S. dollars are recommended as wrinkled bills may not always be accepted.) Local currency may be necessary upon arrival for buses, taxis, phone calls, tips, accommodations, and other incidentals while you are settling in. While abroad, change your currency only at reputable establishments, such as a local bank, travel service (i.e., American Express) or official exchange agency. Please note that services in foreign airports often are closed upon international flight arrivals (e.g., late night), and access to ATM machines may be limited.

Safety and Security, Information and Resources

The safety and security of exchange participants is a top priority for the U.S. Department of State. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and U.S. Embassies abroad, in cooperation with binational Fulbright Commissions and the Institute of International Education (IIE), make every effort to ensure that grantees are provided necessary support in case of emergencies. Please visit this page for more information.

Emergency Contacts

The primary emergency contact for grantees abroad will be the Commission/Post in the host country. IIE should also be notified of the emergency situation as soon as convenient.

In case of emergencies, and to report on individual and family safety and security, keep a list of contact information of local assistance, including the phone number of the Fulbright staff of the Commission/Post, colleagues at the host institution, and fellow Fulbright grantees in the country. As noted, when preparing for the grant, enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), so the U.S. Department of State can better assist you in an emergency. 

During non-business hours, grantees should contact the American Citizens Services office at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Family members can contact the U.S. Department of State’s Overseas Citizens Services:

From within the United States: 1-888-407-4747 
From outside the United States: 1-202-501-4444 

Grantees can also contact ASPE Assist.   
ASPE Assist Contact Information 
Phone: +1-813-666-0012 
Email: ASPEAssist@anvilgroup.com 

Online Safety and Security

The U.S. Department of State also provides the following guidance regarding online safety and security. Although social media tools have security settings to limit who is able to see certain information, these tools can still be hacked and misused and certain information can still be seen by people outside of approved circles or lists. 

When traveling, it is good to keep some general social media safety and security tips in mind. 

  • Do not broadcast movements. Be aware of applications (apps) and programs that track and/or publish your current location without your consent or knowledge. Consider waiting to share photos and stories until after you have left a location.
  • Do not post everything. Private information, such as your email address, residency or phone number, may not need to be shared with anyone, much less everyone. 
  • Use caution when new or unknown individuals ask to become connections. 
  • Use and check security settings. Security settings are helpful but not fail-proof. 
  • Protect passwords. Use strong password practices to help prevent people from hacking your accounts and change your passwords regularly. 
  • Respect the privacy of others. Ask other people for permission before using their names or publishing their photos, as they may have their own reasons for not wanting a public profile. 
  • Respect local laws and customs. While freedom of speech and expression is strongly protected in the United States, please be aware of local laws in the host country. What is legally protected or deemed culturally acceptable in the United States (or, more specifically, on the internet in the United States) may not be received similarly overseas. 
  • See additional cybersecurity tips for international travels here. 

Harassment

Harassment can be defined as behavior that is persistent and is intended to disturb and upset. There are different types of harassment, including psychological, racial, religious, police and sexual harassment. A target can be verbally, physically and psychologically harassed and stalked; tormented, intimidated, degraded and discriminated against. 

Sexual harassment is defined as unwanted sexual advances or visual, verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Although sexual harassment does not often put the victim in the way of physical assault, it can be used by potential perpetrators to test the boundaries of potential victims.

Sexual harassment and sexual assault are a concern worldwide. Grantees should be vigilant and cautious in the host country and try to reduce risks as much as possible. Ask questions during the security briefing and/or orientation with the Commission/Post that are specific to the host location. This includes information on sexual assault statistics, cultural attitudes toward sexual harassment and legal information for reporting incidences to the appropriate authorities (nationally and/or locally). 

It can be challenging to respond to harassment while overseas due to language barriers, new surroundings and lack of familiar cultural signals and cues. Find an ally in faculty members, supervisors and/or neighbors. Exercise caution when meeting new people, arranging meetings in public places and/or with others when possible. Communicate clearly and be assertive. Grantees should not sacrifice personal safety or security to save face—set your limits for acceptable behavior and (try to) be consistent. Take cues from locals, including co-workers and peers, and talk to fellow Fulbright Scholars, faculty hosts, friends and colleagues whom you trust. 

Harassment is best handled by staff in the field familiar with the cultural nuances exhibited in a particular region or country. Victims of harassment should contact the Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in the host country. 

Victims of Crime

The U.S. Department of State webpage on international travel provides a number of resources, including “Help for U.S. Citizen Victims of Crime Overseas” and “Country Specific Information".

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Individuals

Attitudes towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered individuals differ around the world. While tolerance is increasing in many countries, some countries still criminalize homosexuality. Grantees should prepare in advance and research the destination before departure, particularly if you intend to bring a same-sex partner with you on your Fulbright grant. Resources available include: 

Professional Enrichment Activities

Some Commissions/Posts provide grantees with access to enrichment activities. These may include opportunities to travel, give lectures or presentations to institutions or organizations in the host country, and participate in regional conferences. Enrichment activities will vary by country and region; grantees may contact the Commission/Post for additional information.

Community Involvement

Furthering mutual understanding is one of the goals of the Fulbright Program. Becoming involved with your host institution(s), the Commission/Post, and the local community during your tenure overseas will enhance your experiences and further the goals of the program. Grantees can get involved in many ways:

  • Participating in pre-departure orientations for visiting (non-U.S.) scholars;
  • Participating in recruitment or application review processes for visiting (non-U.S.) scholar and student Fulbright Programs;
  • Guest lecturing;
  • Volunteering with local organizations;
  • Participating in the host institution’s events, activities, and committees;
  • Starting or joining extracurricular and/or intramural clubs;
  • Offering introductory courses in area(s) of expertise;
  • Giving language lessons to the local university community;
  • Volunteering with local/international NGOs.

Other avenues may present themselves. Grantees are encouraged to avail themselves of these opportunities as long as they do not interfere with their primary grant objectives or program policy.

Have some "Americana" items to give as small tokens or gifts. For example, postcards are easy to carry and useful to give or show. In many countries, gifts are customary, and it is appreciated when something from the home country and culture is given.

Travel Outside the Host Country

Grantees must notify the Commission/Post before traveling outside the host country. In cases of national or local crisis, including natural disasters and other emergencies, the Commission/Post will need to account for all grantees in the affected area.

According to the grant terms and conditions, time spent out of the country may result in an adjustment of the Fulbright grant period and grant payments. Please read the grant terms carefully and consult with IIE or Commission contacts with questions.

Prior to traveling outside of the host country, check the visa entry requirements to ensure that you can re-enter the country with your current visa, in addition to consulting with the Post or Commission to confirm there are no applicable restrictions on travel to or reentry from your desired destination. Be sure to also check the visa requirements of the country you will visit.

Grantee Reports

Fulbright Scholars with grants longer than six months should complete the interim survey. Scholars pursuing flex grants or multi-country grants, including the Global Scholar award, should complete this survey after each segment. All grantees are also required to submit a final report at the end of the grant period. If grantees experience difficulties in accessing the IIE final report, your IIE advisor can assist. For more information about grantee reports, please visit fulbrightscholars.org/interim-and-final-report-information.

In addition to these reports required by IIE noted above, Commissions may have additional interim and/or final reporting requirements. Grantees should complete any required reporting from both IIE and the Commission. Some Commissions may require submission of the IIE final report to receive final grant benefits.