<p>For a Fulbright ETA, some countries are considerably more competitive than others. You can compare the number of offered ETA grants to the number of applicants; all of that information should be included in the competition statistics. </p>
<p>I just applied for an ETA to Germany, and I was told that I am a competitive applicant (English/German double major; >3.9 in both majors; departmental awards in both majors; 4 semesters of TAing).</p>
<p>I know someone from Columbia who received a teaching Fulbright to Argentina… he never earned a grade lower than A- and majored in Hispanic Studies.</p>
<p>I know for some of them it says you don’t need to know the host language. I have a degree in Anthropology, and study abroad experience. I was thinking of applying, but not to the country I studying abroad in. Would I have a better chance for the country I studied abroad in versus countries I have little to no knowledge about?</p>
<p>Also, when it says that you should be an undergraduate or graduate student, what if you recently graduated? Does it have to specifically say that you recently graduated to be considered? Anyone know what they mean by recently? If I apply next fall (in 2010) to go in 2011, am I still a recent graduate if I graduated in 2009?</p>
<p>If you don’t know anything about a country, then don’t apply to it. You need a concrete reason for choosing the country, and you need to be knowledgeable about its culture. I had trouble concisely answering several questions in my interview, even after 9 years of the language and studying abroad, and at least one student was told that his/her knowledge of the country was insufficient at our campus interview.</p>
<p>For your second question, check with your alma mater’s advisor to see if you can apply through your university. If not, you will have to apply at-large.</p>
<p>I don’t understand. I thought for some of the countries you did not need to know the language. Why do you need to have extensive knowledge of the country? I was under the impression (based on what the website says) that they prefer people who have not had extensive experience abroad. Are they lying on their website?</p>
<p>somebodynew, thank you for posting about the program in Spain - very neat.</p>
<p>If anyone was interested, applications for the program I mentioned earlier are now available and are accepted on a rolling basis until March 30, 2010.</p>
<p>[Estados</a> Unidos](<a href=“http://www.mec.es/sgci/usa/en/programs/us_assistants/default.shtml]Estados”>http://www.mec.es/sgci/usa/en/programs/us_assistants/default.shtml)</p>
<p>Bumping this up.</p>
<p>My D’s college career planning & placement office recommended this firm for kids looking at teaching internationally after graduating: [Teaching</a> Abroad | International Teaching Jobs - Search Associates](<a href=“http://www.searchassociates.com/main.html]Teaching”>http://www.searchassociates.com/main.html)
My D went to their job fair and got 4 offers, accepted one in Cairo and spend 2 years teaching there, mostly ESL but a few other courses. Pay was not stupendous but cost of living was quite low and D was able to save significant $.</p>
<p>One thing to remember is that schools in many developing countries are profit making enterprises - not purely charitable organizations like in the U.S. In Egypt at least, and perhaps in other places, schools that can be billed as “International” schools can charge significantly more tuition. To qualify as an “International” school something like at least 15% of the teachers must be foreign nationals, most classes taught in English, etc.</p>
<p>Although D was frustrated by the school administration, I think on the whole it was a good experience for her. She certainly has been exposed to a vastly different culture, and has picked up a fair amount of Arabic.</p>
<p>I am taking part in the Spanish government’s program right now. Although you are responsible for taking care of the majority of the logistics yourself, the experience is definitely worth it. Right now, I am teaching in an adult continuing education school in a very rural Galician city. A strong Spanish background does help - those who are non-majors / minors often struggle with life outside of school.</p>
<p>Also, the 700 euro salary doesn’t always cover the bills, depending on where you live. I’m lucky enough to be in a very affordable area, but some people (especially in Barcelona, Madrid) struggle to get by.</p>
<p>The work itself is a pleasure - at least in my experience. I work no more than 20 hours a week and receive great health benefits.</p>
<p>^^ 3ggplant, I sent you a PM.</p>
<p>Not sure if this has been posted earlier in this thread – but I just saw this on my university’s job site.
[Estados</a> Unidos](<a href=“http://www.mepsyd.es/exterior/usa/en/programs/us_assistants/default.shtml]Estados”>http://www.mepsyd.es/exterior/usa/en/programs/us_assistants/default.shtml)</p>
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<p>So, seriously, does anyone here know how competitive the Fulbright ETA is? Is it one of those things where you have to practically be a prodigy, cured an illness, done something special, etc. to win one?</p>
<p>bluealien,
There is a lot of information in the [2010</a> online Fulbright newsletter](<a href=“http://newsletter.fulbrightonline.org/121.html#2]2010”>http://newsletter.fulbrightonline.org/121.html#2). If you look through the archives, you might be able to find the numbers of applicants and the number of grants to different countries.</p>
<p>I don’t think you have to be a prodigy or have discovered a cure for cancer to win one. You just need to be a strong student with good recommendations and a desire to teach. The newsletter has tips for applying. It also tells you exactly what they are looking for in an applicant.</p>
<p>Thank you. I did notice that they list the names of previous winners, but don’t seem to offer any way for potential applicants to contact them to ask them questions about the process.</p>