Kosovo
7 English Teaching Assistant Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodFall StartGrant Length9 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) Program aims at strengthening English language instruction at higher education institutions and organizations in Kosovo by establishing a native-speaker presence to provide part-time assistance for 15 teaching hours per week to permanent teaching staff. Fulbright ETAs are assigned as language-learning assistants but are not responsible for teaching entire courses. Fulbright ETAs serve as cultural ambassadors and native speakers. Host institutions and teaching staff are committed to providing regular teaching staff in all classrooms with Fulbright ETAs. 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.
ETA responsibilities should take no more than 15 hours per week. Fulbright ETAs are expected to engage in other activities related to their personal, career, and/or educational interests during their fellowships.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Grants will begin approximately September 15th, 2025 and end on June 15th, 2026.
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.
Grantees will also be required to attend an In-Country Arrival Orientation upon their arrival, which will take place during the last week of September.
Candidate Profile
Well-rounded, articulate candidates at all degree levels with an interest in international education and the initiative to teach conversational English at the higher education institutions and organizations will be accepted. Undergraduate degrees in the humanities and social sciences, with a focus on English, American Studies, or Education, are preferred. Successful candidates will not just be assisting with English teaching, but will also be explaining the U.S. to students and local citizens who have little contextual understanding of America. Previous teaching experience is not required, but is highly desired. Successful candidates must be articulate, fluent English speakers.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Kosovo is the youngest European country, in the heart of the Balkans. With 70 percent of the population under 35, it is young and vibrant. Pristina, the capital city, officially has around 200,000 inhabitants, but that number swells during the business day to nearly 500,000. It is very easy to navigate, with a strong cafe culture, many great restaurants, and a large international community. Every other major town is within 90 minutes of Pristina, including Prizren (the cultural capital of Kosovo), Peja and Gjakova (hubs for outdoor enthusiasts). More information on Kosovo and tourism can be found here and here.
A culturally Muslim country, but very liberal in practice, Kosovo is widely considered to be one of the most pro-American countries in the world, with a U.S. favorability rating of more than 95 percent of the population. The ongoing dispute over Kosovo's independence from Serbia creates a unique dynamic, especially with the Kosovo-Serb minority population.
Since Kosovo declared its independence in February 2008, its higher education system has slowly been making progress towards a more Western-oriented approach, based on the Bologna System. U.S. Fulbright Scholars have significantly helped to expand the knowledge of students and professors who might otherwise not have the opportunity to study or travel abroad.
Higher education in Kosovo consists of nine state universities: the University of Pristina "Hasan Prishtina” is Kosovo's largest university; the University of Prizren "Ukshin Hoti”; the University of Gjakova “Fehmi Agani”; the University of Gjilan "Kadri Zeka"; the University of Mitrovica "Isa Boletini"; the University of Peja "Haxhi Zeka"; and the University of Applied Sciences (UASF) in Ferizaj, the Faculty of Islamic Studies, and the Kosovo Academy for Public Safety. There are approximately 12 private institutions of higher education. The academic calendar consists of two semesters (October-January and February-May). Exams are generally offered at the end of each semester.
The Fulbright Program in Kosovo is eleven years old, but is undergoing a significant expansion thanks to a joint investment of funds by the Government of Kosovo and the United States. Significant opportunities remain to make a difference in the state of education in the country. Knowledge of the Albanian language is beneficial, but is not a requirement.
Families are welcome and opportunities for K-12 education are available. You may reach out to us, and we will provide you with a list of K-12 schools taught in English.
Medical facilities in Kosovo consist of the government-sponsored University Clinical Center and private medical clinics. Medical facilities outside Pristina have limited capabilities. For more information, please see this link.
Public transportation is available. Taxis are generally an inexpensive, safe, and a reliable means of transportation.
U.S. citizens need a valid passport to enter Kosovo and may be asked to provide documentation stating the purpose of their visit. No visa is required for trips of up to 90 days. For work, study, or visits longer than 90 days, you must apply for a temporary residence permit at Pristina’s Directorate for Migration and Foreigners. To apply for a temporary residence permit, you will need to provide proof of health insurance and an official police background check report issued in the United States prior to travel. See our Criminal Records checks page on our website. The U.S. Embassy cannot assist you in obtaining background checks, certificates of conduct, or fingerprints. For all public information related to entry, exit, and visa requirements available to U.S. citizens visiting or residing in Kosovo, see this link.
Eligibility
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
Foreign Language Proficiency
Additional Information: No Albanian language skills are required, but are considered helpful. Some study of Albanian prior to arrival is encouraged in order to promote deeper engagement with the host community.
Placement Type
- University/Post-Secondary Institution
- Other Educational/Community Institution
Grantees will be placed primarily at universities, but may be in NGOs or other venues where English-language instruction is needed. Grantees will teach under the supervision of an experienced English instructor and will serve as a resource for conversation, vocabulary, and reading and writing courses. They may also be involved with some educational advising and outreach.
Placement Locations
- Capital City
- Regional City
The applicants will mostly be placed in regional cities, but some may also be placed in Pristina, the capital.
Supplementary Project
Grantees are expected to engage in other activities related to their personal career, and/or educational interests. This may be an independent study/research project or other activity, which will not conflict with assigned teaching and advising responsibilities. Applicants can include a brief description of their supplementary projects in their Statements of Grant Purpose.
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
- Language training allowance
- Research/Materials allowance
- Settling in allowance
- Local transportation allowance
Additional Grant Benefits
- Diplomatic pouch
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
The actual cost of living in Kosovo may vary depending on various factors such as location, lifestyle, and personal preferences.The cost of living in Kosovo is generally considered to be quite affordable. According to Expatistan, a family of four would need an estimated monthly budget of €1,995 while a single person would need €784. Please check the Expatistan webpage to find out more about the cost of living in Kosovo.
Dependents
Housing Arrangements
Applicants will make their own housing arrangements. The host institution will not provide housing but host institution may assist grantees in locating nearby and appropriate housing. Contact information of local real estate agencies will be provided to grantees prior to their arrival in Kosovo.
Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Visa Requirements
Any U.S. citizen visiting Kosovo for more than 90 days must apply for a temporary residence permit. All the grantees will be guided through this process and will recieve all the neccesary information prior to arrival in Kosovo.
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Additional Online Resources
United States Educational Exchange Board: https://www.uskeb.org/