How I Secured a Fully Funded PhD at Indiana University Bloomington, United States Through the Fulbright Program

I am Dr. Rawe Kefi, a university teacher at the Tunisian Air Force Academy, a climate change negotiator within the Tunisian delegation, and a Climate Change Consultant at the Children of the Earth Network. Yet before any of these roles, I was simply the daughter of a farmer. Growing up in the North East of Tunisia (le cap bon), I witnessed firsthand how drought, water scarcity, and unpredictable seasons shaped not only our orange grove but also the lives, hopes, and livelihoods of farming families. Those early experiences instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility toward environmental justice and continue to inspire both my academic work and my climate activism.

My educational journey has been anything but linear. In high school, I pursued a Baccalaureate in Experimental Sciences, convinced that success could only be achieved through the natural sciences, physics, or Math. When my final score did not allow me to continue along the scientific path I had envisioned, I initially perceived it as a failure. Looking back, it became one of the greatest turning points of my life. I enrolled in English Language, Literature, and Civilization, where I unexpectedly discovered a profound love for literature, poetry, philosophy, and the humanities. It was like discovering myself anew. What I once considered a setback became the beginning of a lifelong intellectual passion.

Driven by curiosity and a desire to understand the world through multiple lenses, I pursued a Master's degree in Intercultural Studies. This interdisciplinary field challenged me to think beyond disciplinary boundaries and deepened my appreciation for the complexities of culture, identity, poetics and politics. Among the many areas I explored, comparative literature and cultural studies resonated most with me. My master's dissertation in Irish studies examined W. B. Yeats's Arabism, allowing me to explore literary encounters across cultures and rethink the relationships between East and West.

As I progressed to my doctoral studies, I found myself returning to the questions that had accompanied me since childhood: How can we respond to environmental crises? What role can the humanities play in addressing climate change? Through the Fulbright Program, I had the privilege of becoming a Visiting Scholar at Indiana University Bloomington, where I discovered the field of Environmental Humanities with the support of my mentor professor Christoph Irmscher, a leading figurer in the field of Environmental Humanities., It was a transformative experience. I realized that the humanities offer essential ways of understanding environmental crises, not only through facts and data, but through stories, ethics, imagination, and culture.

I specialized in ecopoetry and ecocriticism, exploring how literature shapes our relationships with the more-than-human world. My doctoral dissertation, The Politics of Ecology and Modernity: An Ecocritical Study of Ralph Waldo Emerson and William Blake, examined how these two writers challenged dominant ideas of modernity and proposed more interconnected relationships between humans and nature. My research reaffirmed my conviction that literature is, in many ways, the song of the Earth, to use Jonathan Bate’s expression. It teaches us to listen, to imagine differently, and to cultivate empathy toward both human and more-than-human communities.

Alongside academia, I have remained committed to climate action. As a climate change negotiator focusing on Adaptation and Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE), I contribute to international climate discussions while advocating for youth participation and environmental education. As a Climate Change Consultant, I design and implement initiatives that empower children and young people to become climate leaders in their own communities. Through programs such as Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR), I have mentored hundreds of young people across Tunisia to transform research into meaningful local action.

Today, my work brings together scholarship, climate diplomacy, education, and storytelling. I believe that addressing climate change requires more than scientific and technological innovation. It also demands imagination, cultural transformation, ethical reflection, and the power of stories to reconnect people with one another and with the living world. My journey, from a farmer's daughter to an environmental humanities scholar and climate negotiator, has taught me that what may first appear as failure can become the very path that leads us to our purpose.

Fulbright Scholarship Details

I earned a Fulbright scholarship at Indiana University Bloomington. The scholarship lasted one year. As a visiting scholar I had access to a variety of resources that would help me in my research. Auditing allowed me to connect with like-minded students from all over the world.I was also allowed to audit in different seminars related to my major throughout the academic year. The unwavering support and continuous mentorship of professor Irmscher were paramount in this journey.

Were You Offered any Other Scholarships

Yes, I was awarded a scholarship for my master's degree by the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung – the Bureau of Academic Cooperation in Tunisia. The scholarship supported me financially, allowing me to focus on my research and studies without the pressure of finding a job to support myself. Although the scholarship was conditioned on my staying in Tunisia, I had the opportunity to participate in several seminars on the social sciences and humanities, which greatly enriched my background as a humanities researcher. The program also enabled me to attend the Marx Autumn School in Berlin in 2019. It was an unforgettable experience, not only because of the academic exchange, but also because it was my first solo trip abroad.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Indiana University Bloomington?

How Did You Find Information About Fulbright Scholarship and Indiana University Bloomington?

I heard about the Fulbright Foreign students Program through social media: Facebook. At first I was like” this is not for me, only for genius student: then I thought that I got nothing  to lose and maybe I should it give it a chance.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests Such SAT/ACT/TOEFL/IELTS/GRE/GMAT? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

The process was long and, at times, quite complicated. I sought the help of a friend who is a Fulbright alumna, and she kindly reviewed my personal statement. Then I prepared for the interview. I was determined to be myself and simply tell my own story: how Environmental Humanities would strengthen my career as an environmentalist and help me connect my academic interests with my commitment to climate action.

One of the most challenging parts was preparing for the GRE. I had to revisit mathematics after many years, even though I knew I would probably never use most of it again. Then came the TOEFL exam, which was also challenging in a different way. As an English major, I felt an extra layer of pressure because I was expected to perform exceptionally well.

Passing the tests was only one step in the process. The Visiting Scholar Program also required me to find a professor in my field who was willing to host me as a mentor. I began emailing professors working in Environmental Humanities, hoping that someone would be interested in my project. After receiving no positive responses, I almost gave up. Then, unexpectedly, I received a warm and encouraging email from Professor Christoph Irmscher, who had previously mentored a Tunisian scholar. That email changed everything and marked the beginning of an incredible academic journey.

How is Your Experience at Indiana University Bloomington?

My experience was a mixture of excitement and pressure. I was excited because I have always been fond of new adventures, of exploring new places and cultures. Bloomington truly felt like my home away from home. I surprisingly did not feel homesick, this does not mean I did not miss home, but my roommate and I, along with a wider community of international students, created a sense of belonging that helped us all adjust and enjoy the experience.

At the same time, there was a strong sense of pressure because I was expected to make progress on my PhD dissertation. Every day felt like it counted. The days when I did not write anything felt like wasted time. Yet I deeply enjoyed the academic environment; I fell in love with the entire atmosphere: libraries, study spaces, and the easy access to resources. Sometimes, however, the abundance of materials made me feel overwhelmed, creating an internal pressure to make the most of everything at once.

Eventually, I learned to balance things. I chose to be more selective, focusing on collecting as much relevant data as possible and taking guidance from my mentor. I reassured myself that once I returned home, I would have plenty of time for writing, and that the writing process would be smoother, since I would already have all the information, ideas, and notes carefully prepared.

How Do You Rate Indiana University Bloomington Academically?

I think the English department where I had the chance to attend classes is equipped with outstanding professors who were helpful for me and welcomed me in their classes.

How Does Indiana University Bloomington Support International Students?

Guidance from professors and free resources

What Did You Pursue After the Fulbright Scholarship?

I defended my phd dissertation. I am still active in civil society with my NGO and the tunisian delgation. I am currently a university teacher teaching English at the tunisian air force academy. I experienced teaching for the very first time in my life and I am falling in love with it.

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Not Knowing the Native Language?

Yes Especially English . I think learning English is paramount

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I was authentic, I was simply myself: linking activism (action) with academia (research).

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

Nothing. No regrets

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

Always think about your impact at a  local level, your country.