ETA Stories
Over the course of their grant period, ETAs may have unique cross-cultural experiences and observations. Below are some of their reflections about teaching English and living in Taiwan.
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Over the course of their grant period, ETAs may have unique cross-cultural experiences and observations. Below are some of their reflections about teaching English and living in Taiwan.
Author: Alex Villec, 2017-2018
I left January's Fulbright conference inspired to launch a pen pal project, following in the footsteps of other ETAs who had connected classrooms across the world in this way. The idea resonated with me on multiple levels: under the best circumstances, I believed that mutual understanding, sheer excitement, no shortage of curiosity, and the capacity to compress distances spanning oceans and continents could all stem from a couple dozen letters.
Author: Alex Lin, 2017-2018
Christmas was very different for me this year. Being halfway across the world from home during the holiday season was not easy. However, I have received a lot of patience and love—often in the form of food—from the people I met and friends I made in Taiwan. Certainly, I can go on and on about how hospitable the Taiwanese people are. So, for Christmas, I wanted to give back to the Taiwanese community that has so generously opened its arms to me.
The 2017-2018 school year marks Hualien's first year with Fulbright Taiwan. Made up of nine ETAs, the inaugural group has been enthusiastic about teaching in Hualien and engaging with the local community. To celebrate Thanksgiving last week, Hualien's coordinator and ETAs gathered for their very own "Friendsgiving" potluck.
2017-2018 TEFL advisor Genevieve Leung visited National Chiao-Tung University (國立交通大學) earlier this week to guest lecture in Dr. Shumin Lin's Globalization and English Language Teaching MA class. Joining Genevieve were Fulbright's Taipei Coordinator, Sonia Chan, and three Taipei ETAs, Karen Du, Candy Lee, and Jake Wassenaar.
Author: Ellyse Brewster, 2017-2018
The majority of ETAs spend one day a week at English Village in JinHu elementary school. Located in Shanwai, this center has themed classrooms used to teach English in an immersive environment.
Author: Jasmine Zahedi, 2017-2018
You’ve probably heard about Taiwanese hospitality. I am continually amazed by the generosity and kindness I encounter here.
2016-2017 ETAs Nicholas Gareca and Elizabeth King volunteered with the Taitung County Government to create a video introducing tourists to Taitung’s delicious restaurant scene.
Last weekend, Fulbright Kinmen ETAs went to the taro festival on Little Kinmen. This was the first time they experienced farming in Kinmen!
Author: Alex Villec, 2017-2018
"Do you want to eat here in the classroom, or down in the teacher's lounge?"
On the first day of school last week, I had the chance to connect with a fourth-grade class I'll be co-teaching this year.