Jack Josellis and Kevin Ho will soon be packing their bags and traveling abroad this fall as Fulbright English Teaching Assistants (ETAs)—Josellis to Spain and Ho to Vietnam.

The English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Programs place Fulbrighters in classrooms abroad to aid local English teachers and serve as cultural ambassadors for the U.S. Josellis says the Spain ETA will allow him to pursue his passion for education, language, and travel in an immersive program that "fosters not only valuable leadership qualities, but international relationships predicated on the respectful, informative, two-way dialogue between a given Fulbrighter and their host country."

Meet Jack Josellis, History major and Secondary Education minor

Josellis’ motivation and interest in the Fulbright program is rooted in the belief that every young adult deserves an opportunity to find their passion and develop valuable life skills in a supportive setting. 

"Almost every student has had at least one teacher inspire them to try something new, pursue a passion, or discover more about themselves," said Jack. "Having the chance to be a part of so many young adults' lives every day of the school week is an incredible opportunity to help foster student curiosity, promote service to the global community, and create passionate leaders for the world of tomorrow."

Jack will be spending nine months in Madrid, Spain, where he is excited to meet Fulbright Scholars from all over Europe and the United States while continuing to perfect his Spanish speaking abilities.

Meet Kevin Ho, English major and Secondary Education minor

Being a Vietnamese-American in the education field, the Vietnam ETA is a chance for Ho to experience his family’s roots and visit the village they grew up in.

“I want to immerse myself in the unfamiliar culture of my family and engage in meaningful teaching experiences with other people,” said Ho.

According to Ho, the College of Education helped prepare him for this program through both the pedagogy learned in lecture and the applied practice beyond the classroom. He also says the diversity on campus helped immensely.

“I chose Illinois in an effort to step out of my comfort zone and place myself in a setting where I would be challenged and have a huge opportunity to grow as an educator, leader, and friend,” said Ho. “The diverse campus played a huge role in learning more about myself and connecting with others.”

It has never been more important for educators and other professionals engaged in the field of education to be globally conscious and equipped to instill global competency in their students. Education at Illinois is preparing students to confront global challenges and embrace a world full of possibility.

If you are interested in becoming a Fulbright Scholar, you can learn more about specific programs and University info sessions here. The University of Illinois is proud to have been named a top producer of U.S. Fulbright student grants for eight of the past nine years and encourages students to explore the many opportunities Fulbright programs offer. The priority deadline for applications is June 17, 2019.