– blog post by Inês Bernardo Catarino, FLTA-LTS

What led up to your work with the English Language Program?

Since graduating in 2016 I’ve been teaching at the university level abroad. I taught in Mexico and Japan at universities that I connected with through LTS alumni. Currently, I’m teaching in Türkiye, through the US Department of State and Georgetown University’s English Language Programs. As an English Language Fellow, my primary project is teaching at a local university, but I am also involved in secondary projects which have included teacher training, collaborating with local nonprofits, and hosting community events.

What have you enjoyed most about this work?

As an English Language Fellow, I teach at a university that normally wouldn’t have the opportunity to have foreign teachers. Although local English instructors at my institution are exceptionally qualified, both teachers and students are really excited to interact with me as a native speaker and ambassador for American culture. I’ve hosted speaking clubs and other events for students, and created testing materials for my department. I’ve also benefited a lot from collaborating with my colleagues and have learned about Turkish culture from my students.

I also love my host community! When I applied to the EL Fellow program, I was able to select regional preferences, but didn’t know what country or project I would be matched with. I was surprised but excited to be offered Ankara, and I’ve really enjoyed living here. I’ve been able to see different cities through some of my secondary projects, and also to travel during school breaks.

Any particular challenges?

Being the only American teacher in my department is both an opportunity and a challenge! As a Fellow, it’s really important to learn cultural expectations and norms, especially for professional settings. I was also the first in-person Fellow to work in my department, so when I arrived in the fall of 2022 it took some time to arrange my role and responsibilities, which are different from local, full-time teachers. For me, these challenges have been completely worthwhile, but it is something to keep in mind for anyone interested in exchange programs.

What should LTS students or alumni know about EL Programs?

I definitely recommend the EL Fellow program for alumni who are interested in temporary work experiences abroad. The Fellow contract is 10 months, with the possibility to renew for a second year, which I did. Right now, 5 years of full-time teaching experience are required to apply, but that can include any teaching experience before completing a Masters degree. There is also a virtual program, which only requires 3 years of teaching experience. Information about both programs can be seen here: https://elprograms.org/ 

What advice would you give our graduating students?

Enjoy your time in the program and nurture the connections you make with other students. Of course it’s important to focus on academic work and completing your final project, but your cohort members are also an incredible resource for your professional and personal development. I learned so much from my classmates, many of whom had vastly different backgrounds and teaching experiences from myself. I’m still in touch with many of my LTS connections, and have even had the opportunity to meet up with a few while traveling.