How an English Language and Literature Scholar Earned a Fully Funded Fulbright Scholarship to Pursue a Master’s in Linguistics at Wayne State University

My name is Niyaz Najm Salih, and I am from South Kurdistan. I just graduated with a Master’s degree in Linguistics from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, through the prestigious Fulbright Program.

As a Fulbright grantee, I was honored to receive two awards. The first was the Long-Term English (LTE) Program, which I completed at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. This four-month program focused on English language enhancement and cultural adaptation. It played a crucial role in easing my transition to a new academic environment and cultural setting in the United States. The second award supported my graduate studies at Wayne State University. There, I deepened my expertise in linguistics and gained valuable academic and cross-cultural experience.

Educational Background

My academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from the College of Languages at the University of Sulaimani in South Kurdistan. I graduated with a strong academic standing, achieving an average of 85.9 out of 100, which placed me second out of 92 graduates in my cohort. This rigorous four-year undergraduate program provided me with a solid foundation in core areas of English studies, including linguistics, literature, translation, and cultural studies.

Building on this background, I pursued a Master's degree in Linguistics at Wayne State University. My choice to study English at both undergraduate and graduate levels was motivated by my desire to engage on a global stage, recognizing English as the lingua franca of international communication, diplomacy, academia, and global discourse.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Wayne State University?

What makes the Fulbright Program prestigious is its thoughtful design and rigorous selection process. This is reflected in the various stages applicants go through, including an unofficial written TOEFL test, followed by the official TOEFL iBT and GRE standardized exams. All of these tests are arranged and fully funded by Fulbright, so applicants are not required to have completed them before applying. This approach ensures that qualified candidates can access the opportunity regardless of prior testing or financial background.

Another important stage in the process involves selecting academic institutions in the United States. Nominees are not left to navigate this alone; they are guided by Fulbright advisors throughout. Nominees are first asked to suggest a list of universities and programs they are interested in. These choices are then reviewed and discussed with Fulbright advisors, who may advise against certain universities or programs that could be difficult to gain admission to, based on factors such as undergraduate GPA or standardized test scores.

Fulbright ultimately submits applications on behalf of the nominees to four universities and covers the application fees. Once admission decisions are received, Fulbright makes the final decision on which university the nominee will attend. Nominees are not informed of the full list of institutions where they were accepted and are not allowed to request a change based on personal preference.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Fulbright Scholarship?

Applying for the Fulbright Program wasn’t something I had long planned or carefully considered in advance. In fact, although I had known about the Fulbright scholarship for some time, I had never taken the step to apply. At the time, I was working as a program coordinator at the University of Garmian, where part of our mission involved promoting international programs and collaborating with global organizations, including Amideast, which administers the Fulbright Program in South Kurdistan. We hosted an informational session on Fulbright, and it was during that time, with encouragement from friends and colleagues, that I decided to apply for the 2022–2023 Fulbright cohort. From that point forward, the application process and its requirements followed a clear and well-structured path. Whenever I had questions or needed clarification, Amideast provided consistent and comprehensive support.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

It is difficult to say with certainty what made my Fulbright application stand out, as it was likely the result of a combination of factors. My strong academic background across all stages of my education, particularly during my undergraduate studies, where I graduated second in a cohort of 92 graduates, may have been a contributing factor. Equally significant was my extensive professional experience. By the time I applied, I had accumulated over seven years of work in the education and higher education sectors, working with respected national and international institutions such as the University of Sulaimani, International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX), the University of Garmian, and Salahaddin University-Erbil, where I am currently a full-time faculty member on sabbatical.

What Would You Have Done Differently?

In addition to my academic and professional background, I have been actively engaged in voluntary and extracurricular initiatives, particularly in the areas of women’s empowerment and youth development. As a firm believer in gender equality and social inclusion, I have led and contributed to several impactful programs. Notably, I implemented the Women Empowerment and Leadership Program in collaboration with the University of Garmian and the International Friendship Organization across 16 universities in South Kurdistan. I also organized and facilitated numerous seminars, workshops, training sessions, internships, and micro-internships, all designed to promote financial independence, skill development, and equal opportunities for women and youth.

Furthermore, I have actively contributed to the internationalization of higher education by introducing global programs to local universities to foster cross-cultural exchange and broaden academic perspectives. I served as a facilitator for initiatives such as Global Solutions Conversations and the Global Solutions Sustainability Challenge. Through these programs, I led several student teams from Salahaddin and Garmian Universities in binational collaborations with student teams from universities in the United States. These initiatives promoted intercultural dialogue, advanced the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and helped build meaningful bridges between nations through academic cooperation.

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

My advice to potential Fulbright applicants is this: don’t be intimidated by the prestige of the program or let self-doubt stop you from applying. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and assume you won’t be selected — but if you commit fully, put your heart into it, and give it your best effort, you stand a real chance.

Start early and get your required documents ready in advance. This includes issuing or renewing your passport and having your undergraduate diploma and academic transcript certified by your country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as these are required when applying to universities in the United States.

Secure at least three strong letters of recommendation. Reach out to former professors, supervisors, or professional colleagues who know you well and can genuinely speak to your strengths, character, and potential for success in the Fulbright Program.

Take the time to craft a personal statement that is honest and heartfelt. Every word should reflect who you truly are — not just who you hope to become, but the values, experiences, and motivations that define you today. Similarly, your research objectives should clearly outline your academic interests, explain why you are pursuing this particular program, and show how it connects to your future goals, whether professional or personal.

Though I didn’t start my application as early as is always recommended, and ended up submitting it at the last minute due to a packed schedule, I put my heart and soul into it. If I could go back in time and change one thing, it would be to start the process earlier and avoid the stress of a last-minute submission.

The Fulbright Program is not just a scholarship, it is a mission. It promotes international goodwill and mutual understanding between nations, expands perspectives and builds empathy among people of diverse backgrounds, advances knowledge and civic engagement, improves lives around the world, and fosters peaceful global relations. At its core, Fulbright is about creating a more interconnected and understanding world through the transformative power of education and cultural exchange. It is a lifelong commitment and a shared identity, once a Fulbrighter, always a Fulbrighter. I encourage you to believe in yourself, take the leap, and become part of our Fulbright community.