How Rita Stephan, a Lebanese Scholar, Secured a Master’s in English at James Madison University, United States Through the Fulbright Foreign Student Program

My name is Rita Stephan. I’m a 25-year-old Lebanese Fulbright alum. I pursued a Master's in English at James Madison University from 2023 to 2025. I chose to study English because I wanted to further develop my love for literature while gaining the academic knowledge and skills to do so. I’m also an avid lover of academia in general.

Fulbright Foreign Student Program Details

Fulbright Foreign Student Program, Fulbright Scholar at James Madison University (Harrisonburg, Virginia). I’m not aware of the amount of the scholarship.

Educational Background

Before getting the Fulbright scholarship, I had recently completed a BA in English Language and Literature and graduated with a GPA of 92.92/100. I believe both my degree and overall grades helped me succeed in my application to Fulbright. My coursework gave me a sense of purpose: English was indeed the path I wanted to pursue, and by maintaining a good overall average, I was able to strengthen my application.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to James Madison University?

Preparing for the application process was a bit different. We first prepared for the GRE and TOEFL, but we only had one month to study for both. I decided to focus more on the GRE preparations, since it had been over three years since I had properly studied math. So, I crammed as much practice tests and questions as I could within a month to pass the GRE. The TOEFL was relatively easy compared to the GRE.

For applying to the institutions, I researched the programs and the professors I was interested in, then wrote a personalized essay for each; there were 4 essays in total.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Fulbright Foreign Student Program?

I randomly applied to the Fulbright Scholarship. I didn’t truly believe I had a chance, but I still wrote my application essay with a purpose. I described my intent for pursuing a master's degree in my field of interest and my goal for completing my studies. Fulbright asks you to describe how you plan to help your country with the skills you have learned throughout your educational journey. For me, the goal was clear: help Lebanese writers get more recognition. Lo and behold, I received an email stating that I was selected amongst the finalists, and after an interview, my Fulbright journey officially began.

How is Your Experience at James Madison University?

It was hard to adapt at first, especially language-wise. I was used to switching between Arabic, French, and English, but now I had to speak only in English, so at times, I would forget some words and completely blank in the middle of a sentence. It would get frustrating, and I felt dumb at times, but it slowly got easier, and I took the opportunity to teach my friends and classmates some Arabic and French. The course load was also a shock in a way; my previous institution was more laid-back and relaxed, so we didn’t have as much work to do. When I started my first month of grad school, I felt overwhelmed and barely able to keep up. Sure, it’s hard at first, but like everything, you learn to adapt, and it gets easier. And the professors were mostly encouraging and supportive.

How Does James Madison University Support International Students?

I will talk about my department since I don’t really know about the institution as a whole. We did have a lounge/office for international students, and there were events planned, but I didn’t really have the time to participate in any of them. My department was supportive of the few international students they had; I think we were 3 overall. Our head of department would check in on us and see how we’re doing, and if we were settling in alright, so I always felt welcome to talk to her and seek her out if I ever needed anything.

What Did You Pursue After the Fulbright Foreign Student Program?

I currently work with a consultant who helps students find out what they want to study and helps them apply to universities. I mostly write content and edit essays and university applications.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I wouldn’t know for certain, but I will probably guess that I might be among the few who applied with a humanities background and were seeking another degree in the humanities. Most of my cohorts were STEM majors.

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

I would probably have tried to go out and experience more of the US. As a scholarship recipient, you are bound by the terms of the scholarship, so I felt like I needed to really focus on my studies and keep my grades up; at times, I missed some opportunities to go out and enjoy/explore the country. If I could turn back time or do it all over again, I would try to compartmentalize and organize things better so as not to feel like I could have explored and done more.

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

Be yourself. Whether it is in your application, during your interview, or at your university. Show your personality and what makes you “you”, why you are unique. This already makes you stand out from the crowd. Don’t hesitate to take the opportunity as it presents itself to you, and most of all, enjoy! If you are awarded a Fulbright Scholarship, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so make the most of it!