Joosua Virtanen: "ASLA-Fulbright scholarships have a door-opening effect on your future career"
“I've always wanted to study abroad to learn from the best and experience other cultures. In the academic community, some of the world's best universities and researchers are in the US, so when an opportunity to collaborate with some UC Berkeley professors and doctoral students came up, I wanted to take it," says Virtanen.
Virtanen is involved in a project exploring how different personality types are related to starting and growing businesses, and within another project he will study sustainable innovation.
"As an early career researcher, I think the best thing about Fulbright grants is that they have a door-opening effect both in research and in your future career. In addition to financial support, you get access to the network of Fulbright alumni, and also much help before, during and after the exchange," Virtanen points out.
Fulbright scholars also act as ambassadors for their home country, both scientifically and culturally. They are encouraged to make new contacts, discuss collaboration possibilities, promote Finland and Finnish culture, and invite new contacts to visit Finland in the future.
When it comes to the application process, Joosua Virtanen emphasises that the most important thing is to prepare well in advance, as it takes some effort to put together an application. Virtanen refers to the Foundation's website (https://www.fulbright.fi) for a full list of requirements for different programmes, but he highlights three points in particular:
• Most Fulbright programmes require you to include a letter of invitation from the host university in your application. Spend enough time researching potential hosts and approaching them. Get to know their work and make suggestions for collaboration.
• You should have a clear vision of the project or purpose of the visit to the US (e.g. research in co-operation with someone at the host university or courses that are not available in Finland). Especially in the interview, you must also be able to convince the board that you are cut out for the ambassador role. Practise giving a short and concise speech to someone!
• Letters of recommendation play an important role. I received one from my current supervisor, one from my former supervisor and one from the inviting university.
When asked what Joosua Virtanen expects from his stay in the US, he quickly answers:
"First of all I hope to develop as a researcher at a world-class university. Secondly, I want to make lots of new contacts and hopefully also make new friends for life. And then I will enjoy the Californian culture and lifestyle.”
Are you interested in applying for the ASLA Fulbright Scholarship yourself? The call is currently open (deadline 3 October 2023): ASLA-Fulbright Grant Opportunities in the U.S. for Finnish doctoral students, faculty and staff Opens in new window
Text: Marlene Günsberg
Photo: Studio Terho Photography / Fulbright Finland Foundation