How I Secured a Fully Funded Master's at City University of New York, USA Through the Fulbright CFI Scholarship

Hi folks! My name is Gaston Alejandro Fernandez. I am a 28-year-old Argentine architect with a Master's in Urban Design and Planning. My hometown is Resistencia, the capital of the Chaco province in northeastern Argentina. I completed all of my education in my hometown, from kindergarten through a Bachelor of Architecture at the Universidad Nacional del Nordeste (UNNE). These experiences deepened my connection to my community and sparked my interest in local urban issues, such as segregation, the lack of affordable housing, and the living conditions of thousands of citizens.

After finishing college in 2022, I have to admit that I was not particularly interested in continuing my academic journey at the time, so the possibility of applying for a scholarship to pursue a master's degree had not even crossed my mind. But to my own surprise, my father came across an advertisement from the Chaco Ministry of Education promoting applications for the Fulbright CFI (Centro Federal de Inversion) scholarship while he was using his phone. After many conversations about my future, I decided to give it a chance and apply for this highly prestigious scholarship with little preparation. In those days, I did not think I would be selected; doubts about my applications were present, and the entire process of writing application essays and researching universities in the United States was completely unfamiliar territory for me.

Receiving the email informing me that I was selected was entirely unexpected, and things moved quickly and became hectic after that. I had to find four Master`s programs that would suit my academic objectives, prepare application letters, and enhance my English skills for the TOEFL exam. The Fulbright CFI scholarship was intended to cover my living expenses fully during my master's program. At the same time, I received additional funding from the Government of Chaco to cover part of the tuition. Afterward, I was offered tuition funding from the City University of New York (CUNY), which I used to pursue my Master's in Urban Design and Planning. In total, the financial aid I received from these sources covered my tuition and living expenses in full.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to City University of New York (CUNY)?

In my case, the area that required the most effort and practice was my writing. As I mentioned before, writing application letters was unfamiliar to me, and at the moment, it was my weakest area compared to others. Also, I was not familiar with US institutions, so I had to start my research about universities, programs, professors, and classes. I did not want to lose the chance to identify the program that would best fit my goals. This research was very rushed since we did not have much time after being selected to choose the four institutions we wanted to apply to. Luckily, we also received recommendations from Fulbright, which helped guide my search.

I had the benefit of already knowing English at a good level, which made the TOEFL exam slightly easier. My strategy for this exam was self-practice with videos, tutorials, and mock tests, since once you understand the exam's structure, it becomes almost mechanical.

How is Your Experience at City University of New York (CUNY)?

Choosing CUNY was an amazing decision. From day one, I felt welcomed at the institution, which has made things much easier for a foreign student like me. I was surrounded by incredible professors who encouraged me and supported my growth throughout the program. It is worth mentioning the help I received from Hanna Borgenson, Director of Student Affairs, and Michael Miller, Associate Dean, who were both very caring and attentive.

How Do You Rate City University of New York (CUNY) Academically?

I believe the institution provides incredible tools and opportunities, but it is up to each student to take advantage of them. The academic quality is outstanding; the professors far exceeded my expectations, and the group of classmates also made a big difference, helping me feel included and part of an academic community.

Having the incredible opportunity to study Urban Design and Planning in New York City was also pivotal to my overall experience in the program. Living in one of the world's most influential cities was an invaluable part of my education. For the first time, I was interacting with people from all around the world, discussing urban challenges in their home countries and exchanging perspectives on urban issues in the United States.

What Did You Pursue After the Fulbright CFI?

During my final semester (June 2024), I was selected as a research assistant for a Mobility Study in South Williamsburg to be conducted by CUNY students and professors. We conducted data analysis, compiled city programs, led community workshops and stakeholder interviews, and produced maps and reports based on the information gathered. It was my first experience working directly with a community-based organization, EL Puente, and its neighborhood community.

This experience taught me to view my role not only as a researcher and designer, but also as a bridge between technical knowledge and community needs. I still work on the project as a volunteer, and it will be completed in a few weeks, 2 years after this study began. I am thankful for the chance to work with amazing professionals who believe in my skills and have the patience to guide my first research experience through to the end.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe that my personal origins and history, along with their relation to my decision to pursue a master's in urban design, were key factors in my admission to the scholarship. I grew up in a family with both Indigenous and European ancestry, which situated me in the middle of two cultures that collide in many aspects. Acknowledging that my reality had many privileges in comparison to people who came from the same place as I did, and these privileges translate into study opportunities, such as having private English lessons since I was 7 years old, or not having to work and study at college at the same time. I knew I had privileges that a large segment of the population did not. Growing up in a region marked by inequalities shaped my understanding of privilege, opportunity, and exclusion. I was aware of the benefits of simply being middle-class in such a scenario.

This made me realize the role I could play in creating meaningful change in the cities we live in, working to improve living conditions and support communities that have historically been excluded from the opportunities their cities provide. These reasons made me choose my academic path in Urban Design and Planning. I wanted to have the tools to help communities be integrated in every aspect of the city they inhabit. Communicating this perspective in my application essays was a decisive factor in my admission to the universities. I ended up getting into 3 of the 4 universities I applied to, along with financial aid offers.

Looking Back, Would You Have Done Anything Differently During Your Time in the Program?

I would pay more attention to specific classes I would like to take, research the program in depth, and try to find professors or classes that align with my research, professional, and academic goals. Also, it is very important to choose a location you feel comfortable with; you should avoid choosing a place you are not going to enjoy living in for 1 to 2 years.

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

Find what makes you special and unique. There are thousands of highly qualified applicants with excellent academic records who are going to apply to the same scholarship, probably, but what makes you stand out from the rest? It can be your personal history, your research goal, your background, your professional goal, what you want to do with your degree, or how you can apply what you will learn in your local community.

My biggest piece of advice is: do not miss the chance to apply just because you don't feel ready; the act of applying is a great way to gain experience, and all opportunities matter. Apply even when you do not feel fully prepared. The admissions committee may see something in you that you do not yet see in yourself, and your life can change completely from one day to the next.