How Johann Cardenas, a Peruvian Scholar, Secured a Fully Funded Master’s in Civil Engineering at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Through the Fulbright Scholarship

My name is Johann Cardenas, and I’m from Lima, Peru. I was the first in my family to attend university. I earned my B.S. in Civil Engineering at the National University of San Marcos, then spent four years in road construction and maintenance. As my desire to deepen my technical expertise grew, I applied for a Fulbright, which brought me to the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign for an M.S. in Civil Engineering. I just became a Ph.D. candidate and will be finishing my degree next year. My focus is on computer modeling and data-driven approaches to improve highway and airfield pavement design.

Fulbright Scholarship Details

I received the Fulbright Foreign Student Program scholarship. It was awarded by the Fulbright Commission in Peru, funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by Laspau. The Fulbright grant covered living expenses and travel: up to $20,000 in the first year and up to $15,000 in the second. It funded my M.S. in Civil Engineering at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (2021-2023). The university waives tuition for students whose fellowships provide at least about $10,000 per year, so my tuition (about $39,000 per year) was waived.

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

Yes, after applying, Rice University, the University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign offered Research Assistantships that would lead to tuition and fee waivers. These waivers ranged from $39,000-$50,000 per year.

Educational Background

I earned my B.S. in Civil Engineering from the National University of San Marcos (UNMSM) in Lima, graduating first in a class of 39. Working as a teaching assistant for Statics and Strength of Materials gave me a strong grounding in mechanics. While working in road construction, I completed an International Diploma in Project Management at ESAN (17.6/20, first of 62) and a Specialization in Pavement Engineering at UTEC (19.0/20, top of my class). The UTEC program covered pavement materials, mechanistic-empirical design, and asset management, which prepared me directly for a master’s in transportation engineering at Illinois. I finished that degree with a 4.00 GPA and continued in the PhD.

How Did You Find Information About Fulbright Scholarship and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?

Fulbright was the first scholarship I’ve ever applied for, and I learned about it while doomscrolling on Facebook. I’m happy I was procrastinating that day and ran into that post! After that, the Fulbright Commission in Peru guided me through the whole application process, and Laspau handled my admissions with U.S. universities. Because my grant didn’t cover tuition, I targeted programs that offered tuition waivers or research assistantships. Contacting prospective advisors directly made a real difference: Prof. Imad Al-Qadi at Illinois and Prof. Amit Bhasin at UT Austin both took the time to talk with me and discuss specifics.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

Yes, I took the TOEFL and GRE.

• TOEFL iBT: 113/120
  • Reading: 30
  • Listening: 27
  • Speaking: 27
  • Writing: 29
• GRE General Test
  • Verbal: 160 (85th percentile)
  • Quantitative: 167 (89th percentile)
  • Analytical Writing: 4.5 (80th percentile)

I prepared through the GRE and TOEFL courses the Fulbright Commission in Peru offers its grantees, which helped me reach strong scores before applications opened. In the last stretch of preparation, I bought online exam drills to rehearse under test conditions.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Fulbright Scholarship?

It was my first scholarship application, so I took every part of it seriously. The personal statement mattered the most to me because you have to tell one clear story connecting your background, your work experience, and what you wanted to achieve. My recommendation letters were just as important, though. I would recommend reaching out to potential recommenders early and choosing people who know you well both personally and professionally. That is why meeting people along the way is particularly important: professors, supervisors, or colleagues you connect with today can champion you tomorrow. The process ended with an interview with the Fulbright Commission in Peru in June 2020, where I felt comfortable discussing my motivations and professional goals because they were well defined.

How Is Your Experience at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?

My experience at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign has been excellent. At the Illinois Center for Transportation, I’ve worked on research for the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration, and that work led me to continue from my master’s into a PhD. Publishing my first journal article helped me overcome imposter syndrome, and recognitions like the ACRP Graduate Research Award have been quite encouraging along the way. My biggest challenge was adapting to a new language and culture. That’s why I later led the Fulbright Student Association and served in the Peruvian Student Association, to help other newcomers settle in.

How Do You Rate University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Academically?

Excellent. The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is consistently ranked among the best in the country, and that shows in its faculty, research opportunities, and courses offered.

How Does University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Support International Students?

Since my arrival, I found strong support in the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) office. They guided me through immigration matters, orientation, and adjusting to life in the U.S. The university also has a large international community and many student organizations, where newcomers meet people who have been through the same transition. In my department, the Graduate Student Organizations organize socials, information sessions, and workshops that help international students connect and feel a little bit closer to home.

What Did You Pursue After the Fulbright Scholarship?

After my Fulbright grant ended in 2023, I continued into a PhD in Civil Engineering at Illinois, funded as a Graduate Research Assistant at the Illinois Center for Transportation. My dissertation focuses on airfield pavements, and I also work on projects for the Illinois Department of Transportation. Along the way, I’ve published in peer-reviewed journals, received awards, and worked as a teaching assistant. I expect to graduate by the end of 2027 and plan to move into industry R&D and consulting.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe it was the consistently outstanding academic results, work experience in the field I wanted to do grad school in, and having a clear purpose for completing the degree.

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

I would have applied sooner! For years, I let fear of failure keep me from going after opportunities like this one, and I only applied once I felt stuck in my career. Looking back, the worst outcome was not trying at all. I would also start contacting potential advisors and recommenders earlier, since those conversations deeply shaped where I ended up.

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

Submit your application, even if you doubt yourself. Focus on telling a clear story, build relationships early in your career, and use every resource available, including the stories of those who have gone this way before.