Bosnia & Herzegovina
2 English Teaching Assistant Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodOctober StartGrant Length9 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
The U.S. Embassy plans to approve a minimum of two English Teaching Assistant (ETA) grants to students for the 2024-2025 academic year. Fulbright ETAs serve as cultural ambassadors and native speakers in the classroom. Fulbright ETA responsibilities may include planning and conducting conversational classroom activities, giving presentations on different topics related to the United States (culture, society, and history), leading language labs and language table discussions, acting as a resource person both at the host institution and in the community, coordinating extra-curricular activities, and conducting English conversation clubs at host institution and respective American Corners.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Grants will begin October 1, 2024.
Grant Length - 9 months.
Orientation
All grantees are required to attend a pre-departure orientation in June or July as a condition of their grant. The event is organized by IIE, virtual or in-person.
It is recommended that grantees plan to arrive a week prior to the start of the academic year (which starts on October 1, 2024). The Public Diplomacy Section at the United States Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina will hold a required in-country orientation for grantees (tentatively scheduled for September 24, 2024).
Candidate Profile
Applications are accepted from candidates at all degree levels, but preference is given to graduate students who are interested in international education and educational advising. Preference will also be given to applicants in the fields of education and English, as well as the humanities and social sciences, with a particular focus in American studies. Previous teaching experience is recommended. Applicants must be fluent English speakers.
Candidates are expected to be extremely adaptable and flexible. Living conditions and infrastructure in Bosnia and Herzegovina are improving. However, grantees should recognize that the country is still undergoing significant changes and transitions, and that medical care and other services are not up to U.S. or Western standards.
Candidates should be highly motivated and demonstrate excellence through academic record, leadership potential, and qualifying educational and professional experiences. They are expected to serve as responsible representatives of the United States, to successfully undertake the Fulbright ETA fellowship, and to adjust to life in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Candidates are encouraged to submit a thoughtful, well written, concise, and compelling application that illustrates qualifications, leadership, project's potential impact (both in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United States), and preparedness for an English Teaching Assistantship in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Eligibility
12 Months
Accepted Degree Levels
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Foreign Language Proficiency
Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian language proficiency is not required, but helpful. Some study of Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian prior to arrival is encouraged in order to promote deeper engagement with the host community. Students may be provided with funding (as part of their grant) to cover language instruction during their grant period.
Placement Type
- Secondary School
- University/Post-Secondary Institution
Fulbright ETAs are advised to be flexible regarding the geographic location of their potential placement. All Fulbright ETA placements are secured by the U.S. Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Placements are usually at the Faculty of Islamic Studies at the University of Sarajevo and the Faculty of Philology at the University of Banja Luka. All communication and feedback about Fulbright ETA placements in Bosnia and Herzegovina should be directed to the United States Embassy.
Placement Locations
- Capital City
- Regional City
Supplementary Project
Fulbright English Teaching Assistant responsibilities should be no more than 20 hours per week. In the remaining time, Fulbright ETAs are expected to engage in other activities. The types of activities vary, and Fulbright ETAs are encouraged to discuss options and limitations with the United States Embassy. Activities may include pursuing a course of study, conducting research into topics or issues relevant to the region, engaging in specific volunteer activities, or a combination of these. In all cases, the primary activity of the Fulbright ETAs is to provide native language assistance to the local host institution. Through the Fulbright ETA Program, foreign teachers and students develop English communication skills needed to participate in the global economy and to improve their access to diverse perspectives on a broad variety of issues.
Housing Arrangements
Housing arrangements are not provided. Host institutions generally designate a point of contact to assist Fulbright ETAs with logistics, including identifying housing arrangements.
Dependents
While dependents are allowed to accompany applicants on the grants, the United States Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina does not provide financial support for dependents accompanying the grantees.
Visa Requirements
Grantees, as well as all accompanying dependents, regardless of age, must register with the local police within 24 hours of receiving an entry stamp at a border crossing or airport, and must apply for temporary residency status within three to four weeks of arrival in Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Please note: Most hotels will automatically complete the initial police registration process, but grantees should verify this with their hotel on arrival.) The Embassy will provide additional guidance on the residency visa process and the host institution will directly assist grantees with their residency visa applications.