Abu Dhabi: The application deadline for a fully funded prestigious fellowship in America, which is being offered to Emiratis for the first time in the programme’s history, has been extended to October 15, the US embassy has announced.
The Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) programme will give Emirati graduates and young professionals in the field of education the chance to work as teaching assistants providing support to Arabic language classes while studying at US colleges and universities.
Sponsored by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), the programme provides participants with a range of opportunities, including work as teaching assistants at university-level and at Modern Standard Arabic classes, besides the chance to refine their teaching skills, take academic courses, and increase their English language proficiency at US colleges and universities.
In addition, Emirati participants will be part of a cultural exchange experience where they share UAE’s unique culture and traditions with Americans while learning about life in the US.
“One fantastic thing about the FLTA programme is that it isn’t only for teachers — it’s for anyone with a passion to share their culture and learn important classroom-management skills. Anyone in a related field can apply. We are also pleased to be able to waive the TOEFL requirement until after the fellowship has been awarded,” said Mohini Madgavkar, Cultural Affairs Officer, US Embassy Abu Dhabi.
The original September deadline to apply for the programme has been extended to October 15, 2017. After a review and selection process, between one to five UAE nationals will be nominated. Successful applicants will receive a tuition waiver for coursework and a financial grant to cover living expenses at the participant’s host institution. FLTAs also receive Economy roundtrip international airfare and a health benefits plan.
FLTA, which has been offering people in over 50 countries the opportunity to develop their professional skills and gain first-hand knowledge of the US, its culture and its people, was opened to Emiratis for the first time in the programme’s16-year history this year.
“FLTA alumni describe the programme as a life-changing experience — the programme has been ongoing in Kuwait for the past several years, and has sent several talented Kuwaitis to study and work at US universities. We hear from countless US graduates how the experience of studying at American universities completely changed their lives. This fellowship is a great way to combine the student experience with practical, hands-on classroom experience, all under the umbrella of the prestigious Fulbright programme,” said Scott Bolz, Country Public Affairs Officer, US Embassy Abu Dhabi.
The programme’s organisers fully support the placement and make all arrangements for candidates to begin studying and teaching. FLTAs also attend a mid-year conference in the US, where they meet and exchange experiences with the over 1,500 FLTA participants from 140 countries who enter US academic institutions each year.
What: Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant programme for 2018-19 academic year
Deadline to apply: October 15, 2017
Requirements to apply:
Minimum TOEFL of 79 (Waived until after fellowship is awarded)
Prior teaching experience
No prior experience living long-term in the US
Equivalent of a US bachelor’s degree
A passion to utilise their experience in the US upon returning to the UAE
Who can apply:
Graduate students in fields including education, arts, humanities, sociology, anthropology, communications, languages, literature
Early career teachers or professionals in the field of education, such as educational administrators, counsellors, academics, and curriculum creators
For details, contact EducationUSAAD@state.gov or apply at https://apply.embark.com/student/fulbright/flta/
