Two Weeks

The backstory

Ever a procrastinator, about this time last year I decided I had waited long enough to start on my application to teach English in Germany that was due in two months–plenttttttty of time.

The application was not due in two months; it was due in two weeks (a surprise university imposed deadline).

Working on applications at the last minute seems to be an accidental strategy of mine, that while I always insist I’ll never repeat, has the intended result. So while pulling about a gazillion all-nighters (more than the combined total of the previous 3 years), blowing off most of my homework (priorities!), and trying to do an internship, I frantically worked on my application (and cried and drank lots of coffee). People who know me will attest that I was more like a zombie than an actual person during this time. To those who wrote me last minute letters of recommendation and gave me endless feedback on essay drafts, I am forever indebted. In the end, I ended up having about a month to get the final version submitted.

After 5 nail-biting months of waiting, at the end of March, I got the long awaited email: I’d been selected for a Fulbright U.S. Student Program grant for the English Teaching Assistant program in Germany (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). It’s a huge, huge honor, and I’m absolutely thrilled to take part in the program. I’m so thankful for everyone who helped me along the way.

The next part

Now that my future plans are upon me (two weeks away exactly), I suppose I’ve procrastinated writing about my future plans long enough.

So what is this program, and where will I be? And what will I be doing there? And how long will I be there?

What?

“The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to build relations between the people of the United States and the people of other countries that are needed to solve global challenges.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Fulbright Program’s establishment in 1946 under legislation introduced by U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas. Since then, the Program has given more than 360,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists, and scientists the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas, and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns.

Fulbrighters address critical global challenges – from sustainable energy and climate change to public health and food security – in all areas, while building relationships, knowledge, and leadership in support of the long-term interests of the United States and the world. Fulbright alumni have achieved distinction in many fields, including 54 who have been awarded the Nobel Prize, 82 who have received Pulitzer Prizes, and 33 who have served as a head of state or government.” –Fulbright

Where?

I’ll be in Greifswald in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, which is in the far northeastern corner of Germany, right on the Baltic Sea.  I’m very excited about this location. Even if it’s not beachy weather, I still love the sea.

Gre-Gri?–what?

Greifswald is pronounced with a long “i” like “eye” and a “v” for the “w”–> “Gr-eye-fs-vald” (still working on getting the fam to say it right).

What are you going to be doing?

I’ll be an English Teaching Assistant in a Gymnasium, probably working with high school aged kids. Although I will probably do some language teaching, I expect to be largely responsible for sharing about American culture.

In addition, I hope to take a class at the university and do some volunteer work teaching English to refugees.

How long?

I’ll be there until the end of June 2017…but wouldn’t mind staying longer.

Some things I’m looking forward to?

I’m really looking forward to getting to see some old friends of mine! Also getting to practice German and hopefully really solidify my language ability. And just living in a country for an extended period of time and getting to know the people I’ll be living and working with.  Pretty much everything.

Things I’m not looking forward to?

Fielding all the questions about American politics and not having Trader Joe’s.

What I’m currently up to?

Packing.

p.s. If you look early enough, you might find some pretty great roundtrip tickets to Germany…just sayin 😉