Georgia
3 English Teaching Assistant Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodSeptember StartGrant Length9 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
The purpose of the English Teaching Assistant Program in Georgia is to strengthen English language instruction at Georgian higher education institutions, especially in places where the presence of native speakers is not common, and provide U.S. participants with opportunities for professional development and intensive cross-cultural interaction in their host communities. For this reason, applicants can expect to be placed in cities outside the capital. They will teach under the supervision of an experienced, local English instructor and will serve as a resource for conversation, vocabulary, and reading and writing courses.
Video featuring 2022-2024 ETA Jacob Bierle
Grant Length
Grant Period
Grants will begin in September and end in June.
Grant Length: 9 months.
Orientation
All grantees are required to attend a virtual pre-departure orientation in June or July as a condition of their grant, as well as an in-country orientation in September.
Candidate Profile
Well-rounded, articulate graduating seniors or recent graduates with an interest in international education and the initiative to teach conversational English at the university level will be considered. Undergraduate degrees in the humanities and social sciences, with a focus on English, American studies, or Education, are preferred; however, applicants with degrees in other areas will be considered. Successful candidates will not just be teaching English, but explaining the U.S. to local citizens who have little contextual understanding of America. Previous teaching experience is not required, but is helpful. Successful candidates must be articulate, fluent English speakers and very self-directed.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Applicants are expected to research their host country. Application materials should indicate a clear commitment to the host country community and a description of how you will engage with it.
Situated at the strategically important crossroads where Europe meets Asia, Georgia has a unique and ancient cultural heritage and world-renowned cuisine. From green valleys with vineyards to old churches and watchtowers perched in stunning mountain scenery, Georgia’s natural beauty belies its modest size, and its legendary hospitality invites visitors to further explore the country and its rich history.
At the same time, life in Georgia is increasingly international and the country hosts global restaurants such as McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King, and Domino's. Additionally international shopping including Gap, Zara, Levi's, and L'occidente can be found in Tbilisi. Credit cards are widely used, internet is widespread and fairly reliable, mobile services cover the whole country, and water is safe to drink. Conditions vary greatly between the larger cities and smaller towns and villages. Roads in cities are in good repair, and the main highway across the country links Tbilisi to the Black Sea resort town of Batumi. Georgia is exceptionally safe, with petty crime and burglary ranking very low. The capital city, Tbilisi is a very old city with a population of approximately one million people, and boasts good, affordable in-city or inter-city transportation options. Generally, Tbilisi has mild winters (with almost no snow) and hot, dry summers.
Eligibility
12 Months
The following applicants are ineligible for consideration: applicants who have extensive previous experience in Georgia, or applicants who hold a Ph.D. at the time the grant is to begin.
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) Form
If required, submission of the Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is mandatory, even if you have advanced skills or are a native speaker of the language. Failure to submit the required FLE form may impact your eligibility.
Additional Information: Knowledge of Georgian or Russian is helpful, but not required.
Foreign Language Proficiency Level by Grant Start
If a Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is Required, applicants must have the following proficiency level by the start of the grant period. If a Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is Recommended, applicants are encouraged but not required to have the following level by the start of the grant period.
Placement Type
- University/Post-Secondary Institution
Placement varies; grantees will be working at universities, often outside of the capital, where English language instruction is needed. They will teach under the supervision of an experienced local English instructor and will serve as a resource for conversation, vocabulary, and reading and writing courses. Grantees may also be involved with some educational advising and outreach. Grantees may have the opportunity to assist with university internationalization efforts.
Placement Locations
- Capital City
- Regional City
ETAs are typically placed at regional universities outside the capital. Recent placements have included:
Samtskhe-Javakheti State University, Akhaltsikhe
Batumi State Maritime Academy, Batumi
Akaki Tsereteli Kutaisi State University, Kutaisi
Georgian Technical University, Tbilisi
International Black Sea University, Tbilisi
Award Benefits
- A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
- International travel benefits
- Accident & sickness health benefits
- 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
- 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
- English language teaching preparatory course
Stipend Amount
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
One-Time Allowances
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
- Excess baggage fees
- Research/Materials allowance
- Settling in allowance
- Local transportation allowance
Supplementary Project
Grantees are expected to engage in other activities related to their personal, career, and/or educational interests. These may include an extracurricular club for students or a project or other activity that will complement, but not conflict with, assigned teaching and advising responsibilities. Grantees may also be involved with some education advising and outreach. Applicants should include a brief description of their supplementary project in their Statement of Grant Purpose.
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
Applicants may find the below resources useful:
https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Tbilisi
https://pbservices.ge/blog/cost-of-living-in-georgia-prices/#summing-up
Dependents
Housing Arrangements
Host institutions are responsible for securing housing for grantees. The U.S. Embassy in Geogia facilitates the process and supports hosts to find suitable housing based on ETAs' preference to live with a host family or alone.
Visa Requirements
A valid passport is required to enter Georgia. U.S. citizens may enter and stay in Georgia without a visa for up to 365 days.
Travel Restrictions
U.S. Embassy Tbilisi's Regional Security Office is restricting any travel to the occupied territories of Georgia: Abkhazia and South Ossetia.