Applying for a Fulbright was the best decision I’ve ever made. Throughout the past six months in Villavicencio, Colombia, I have formed memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.

Every day is an adventure as I navigate a new city, a new culture, and new challenges. In the process, I have learned so much about myself and my values as I push my comfort zone, practice flexibility, and embrace saying yes. Indeed, my best advice for anyone considering a Fulbright is to go with an open-mind and a desire to learn from others’ lived experiences.

While the process of applying for a Fulbright may seem daunting, the practice of writing the application within itself is productive. After all, the ability to articulate a cohesive narrative about how your background informs your goals is critical if you ever want to apply to graduate school and is very useful when applying to jobs.

Ultimately, even though the application is certainly a lot of work, I firmly believe that it is worth it: a Fulbright is truly a unique and extraordinary opportunity.