This is a guest post from Trisha, a US citizen who has a passion for understanding other cultures. Here she takes us through her experience teaching English in the Czech Republic with the Fulbright programme in Europe.
Tell us a bit about yourself and why you decided to live abroad for a year?
I am currently a doctoral student in literature at UNC Chapel Hill. Prior to my year abroad, I was a recent graduate at UC Berkeley. I was born, grew up, and went to college in California and my previous experience traveling abroad was to visit my family in the Philippines.
I decided that if I could find a programme that would allow me to travel to a place I hadn’t been to before, I would do it. So I researched programmes and luckily, I found one through my school institution.
How did you access the programme you used to go abroad? Tell us about the Fulbright application process.
I applied to be a Fulbright Language Teaching Assistant through my school. The application is a multi-month-long process, usually beginning in September and ending around January. You need to complete a basic application, submit two short essays (a statement of grant purpose and a personal statement), a foreign language evaluation, three references, and school transcripts. Then, if you are nominated by your institution, you are required to attend a secondary interview. They let you know the outcome in early spring.
I should be clear that this type of program is mostly only for U.S. applicants, and the process of applying to this program is a bit involved. However, if you’re at a research institution in the US, there is likely a programme advisor that can help you obtain all the documents needed. You do not, however, need to be enrolled in an institution at the time of applying–there is an option to submit your documents as an “at-large” applicant.
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Did you get to pick which country you went to and was there a cost?
I picked the Czech Republic because I read a few amazing Czech novels while in undergrad, including one that’s still a favorite of mine: Bohumil Hrabal’s Too Loud a Solitude (Příliš hlučná samota). I had, at the time, been interested in Cold War history and socialist/communist movements in Central Europe.
So prior to my applying I was taking intensive Czech language classes at my school and learning about the culture and the region in my school in California. But ultimately, I had no previous ties to the country that I decided to teach in, and I still wonder if that was the right choice.
I loved my time there, but what I learned was that you can never be prepared for the culture shock—no matter how much you prepare in formal settings—and you can never really make amends with the guilt of being a visitor in someone’s home. I would say, then, that the opportunity to teach English in a country you don’t know is both a privilege and a cost.
How did you feel when you arrived in your new country and what tips would you offer others for the awkward settling in phase?
Being a home-oriented person, I always feel rattled when traveling in a new place, and this was no different. Jet lag really messed me up for a couple of weeks, and then after, it was a matter of getting used to the little things that make up the day. For example, door locks, windows, the way people line up at the bus stop… those are such miniscule things that after awhile you start to miss.
For me, it helped to bring a few pictures and small things that remind me of home. It also helped me to bring one favourite book of mine and also set up regular internet calls with friends and family back home. Those things, I think, tether you to your life back home and also remind you of who you are in the new place.
Tell us about the place you have lived in?
A colleague at the school set me up in a shared apartment with a Czech woman older than me. It was at first a little awkward, since I went from living in a house of 40 college students to living with a mother whose daughter is based in Canada. But truly, it helped.
Through her, and with her, I was able to make a lot of new kinship ties in the Czech Republic. Having not just friends but family members in a country that you are new to is truly a blessing. My Czech improved as well. You can see her in the photo above, on the right.
And what was it like teaching English in the Czech Republic?
I was based in a gymnazium—a Czech public high school—and led conversation classes. Since most students learn English early on in schools, most young people already have a great technical grasp on grammar and vocabulary.
My job was geared towards exposing them to the way that native English speakers talk, and also teach them a bit of slang and the appropriate and inappropriate contexts for it. Especially since I’ve found that institutions in the U.S. (schools, companies, organizations) use more informal language than previously thought. I was there to practice, practice, practice.
What are the challenges of living in another EU country?
Coming from the US, there are some challenges of living in the EU, and the biggest is immigration. People with US passports can go a lot of places without applying for a visa, this is true. But there are people living in the US without legal documentation, and what with migrant crises happening today, traveling abroad (let alone to the EU) is nearly impossible. For me, I had to go through a confusing process to get my year long visa approved, but again, it was relatively easy for me.
And then of course, being an American, I found myself eating my words a lot. It’s one thing to talk about politics because you are informed through the news, but it’s another to try to force those opinions on people who are actually affected by it. Especially if you haven’t lived that particular truth. So I found myself listening a lot more than speaking.
What did you do to save money in the Czech Republic?
Cook for yourself! It’s a lot easier, healthier, and cheaper to cook meals for yourself as much as possible, especially if you are lucky to have a kitchen (like I did). I saved a lot of money by not going out for every meal.
What were some of your best travel moments?
So many. In Czechia, I stayed in a summer cabin with my host mom’s friend in Vimperk, and got to see the beautiful mountain range. Also, Nachod, the town that I stayed in, was just 8km away from Poland, and near some beautiful hikes. I also loved my time in Krakow, Poland when I visited.
What advice would you give to others who want to work abroad?
Be committed to language learning, take breaks and don’t push yourself too hard to do everything, always try the street food, research about your job/where to stay before you get there.
How was your Fulbright experience?
Overall, my Fulbright experience was an amazing chance for me to live in another country, make real, deep lifelong connections with people I care about, and be uncomfortable in a way I had never been before. That discomfort was valuable in itself.
But, as always, this program is not for everyone, and I mean this in both the metaphorical and literal sense, because there are strict eligibility requirements, and because the program carries a complicated history of US foreign relations. This is only one out of so many ways to travel and work and live abroad.
A small town girl on a mission to live in 10 different countries before she pops her clogs, Danni began travelling with a job in Peru at the age of 18. Now an expert in living and working abroad, she shares all the tips and tricks you need to get started.
Nice to read about your experience! The application must have been very tough if it takes so long! Arranging a visa for Europe can indeed be very though. I like your tip on saving costs. Cooking for your own is a nice way to save some money. Czech Republic truly look like an amazing country!
I’m European, and it’s so interesting to read about other people’s experiences of living abroad. I think Czechia is a beautiful country, not sure I could live there though. It’s good to know she’d getting the most from her experience there!
I love reading about people’s experiences abroad. Especially ones that teach English abroad. I went to a Japanese school and I remember we had American teacher’s come to our English classes to teach us conversational (and slang) English. It was the best part of the school day for me!
Very cool, I’m going to pin this! I always wanted to apply for fulbright but knew it was a very involved process. Seems like it’s totally worth it though!
Nice to read about your experience! The application must have been very tough if it takes so long! Arranging a visa for Europe can indeed be very though. I like your tip on saving costs. Cooking for your own is a nice way to save some money. Czech Republic truly look like an amazing country!
I’m European, and it’s so interesting to read about other people’s experiences of living abroad. I think Czechia is a beautiful country, not sure I could live there though. It’s good to know she’d getting the most from her experience there!
I love reading about people’s experiences abroad. Especially ones that teach English abroad. I went to a Japanese school and I remember we had American teacher’s come to our English classes to teach us conversational (and slang) English. It was the best part of the school day for me!
Very cool, I’m going to pin this! I always wanted to apply for fulbright but knew it was a very involved process. Seems like it’s totally worth it though!