Lithuania
4 English Teaching Assistant Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodFall StartGrant Length10 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
Teaching assistant activities may include, but are not limited to:
- Serving as a resource person in the classroom and in conversation groups
- Providing small group tutorials
- Assisting students with reading and written English
- Giving presentations related to American studies in English classes and to school/civic organizations
Grant Length
Grant Period
The grant length is 9-10 months, from late August to June.
The typical academic calendar is September 1 through mid-June. Fall semester is September-December and Spring semester is January-June.
Orientation
All grantees are required to attend a pre-departure orientation in June or July and an in-country orientation in late August or early September (to be determined by the Embassy) as a condition of their grant. The virtual pre-departure orientation is organized by IIE.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate would be someone self-driven with a strong commitment to community service and to promoting international understanding and cooperation. Candidates must be fluent in English. Candidates who already possess a bachelor's degree in the humanities or social sciences, with a focus on English, American Studies, or Education will be preferred, although anyone with experience in mentoring, teaching, or working with youth will be strongly considered. Candidates of all backgrounds are welcome to apply.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Lithuania, the largest and southernmost of the three Baltic States, boasts a lively cultural and intellectual scene. It is a member of the European Union and a NATO ally. Because of the large Lithuanian diaspora, many Lithuanians have ties to the United States or experience living and working there. English is widely spoken and understood.
Lithuania is a relatively safe country with very little anti-American sentiment. However, visitors should take standard precautions, as in any other country. It is important to note that while the law prohibits discrimination against ethnic or national minorities, persons with disabilities, or discrimination based on sexual orientation, intolerance and societal discrimination persist. For more information on safety in Lithuania, we recommend you read:
Lithuania - United States Department of State
The locals are naturally quiet which is sometimes mistaken by some as an unwelcoming attitude. It takes time to understand Lithuanians and make friends with them. But once you get to know the Lithuanians, you will see that they are friendly, warm, and nice people.
Lithuania has an extensive public transportation system. It is relatively cheap, reliable, and safe. It includes buses and trains. Each Lithuanian city has a single bus station where the most buses leave from. Buses between the main cities are very frequent, with Vilnius-Kaunas buses leaving each terminal station every 30 minutes. Bus routes connecting the main cities to regional towns run usually at least two to three times a day.
Eligibility
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Foreign Language Proficiency
Lithuanian-language proficiency is not required, but some language study prior to arrival is encouraged to promote deeper engagement with the host community. There is a possibility that U.S. Students will be provided with a stipend to study the local language while in-country.
Placement Type
- Middle School
- Secondary School
Grantees will be placed in regional schools. Applicants may indicate a host institution preference, but the Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy will seek the most appropriate placements.
Grantees will assist an experienced English-language instructor and will serve as a resource for conversation, vocabulary, and reading and writing courses. Grantee hours in the classroom will not exceed 25 hours per week. The rest of the grantee's time is dedicated to preparation for their teaching assistant activities, to their supplementary project, and to their extracurricular activities. Host institution and grantee roles and responsibilities will be discussed with PAS during the in-country orientation. ETAs are required to write monthly reports to the Embassy.
Placement Locations
- Regional City
- Rural
ETAs will be placed in small cities and towns around Lithuania and not in larger cities/hubs.
Supplementary Project
The ETA program in Lithuania has a required supplementary project. This can be community service/engagement or research, though applications with a strong community service/engagement component in their host communities are preferred. This can include preparing and organizing American culture-related activities such as: movie nights and holiday celebrations; starting and running clubs, e.g. English-language clubs, debate clubs, journalism clubs; coaching and/or mentoring; educational advising and outreach, etc. Creative ideas based on a candidates background/experience and that address issues of significance to contemporary Lithuania and U.S. national security priorities are welcome!
ETAs will also be expected to cooperate closely with U.S. Embassy-run programs and initiatives.
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.
- Language training allowance
- Research/Materials allowance
- Settling in allowance
The one-time allowances total includes allowances for round trip international airfare, settling in expenses, research, and language training.
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.
Food has the same prices throughout the country, but apartment rent in smaller towns is less expensive. Internet is available everywhere. Students can use the following website as a resource to research the estimated cost of living in various parts of Lithuania: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Lithuania
Dependents
Grantees with dependent children should not expect to find schools with English instruction in the placement regions.
Housing Arrangements
The ETA's host school will help to find suitable housing. ETAs are required to live in their placement location; exceptions for health and/or security reasons, or due to a shortage of housing, will be made on a case by case basis in consultation with the Embassy.
Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Visa Requirements
You must apply for and receive a National D visa before your departure to Lithuania. Navigate to https://www.vfsglobal.com/Lithuania/USA/national-visa-type-d.html. Follow the instructions to apply for a D-type visa, including filling out the electronic application form and scheduling an appointment as soon as possible at the nearest VFS application center (all applications will then be forwarded to the Lithuanian Consulate in Chicago). The application requirements are listed here.
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Additional Online Resources
Lithuania - The World Factbook: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/lithuania/#people-and-society
Lithuania - Crime and Safety Report: https://www.osac.gov/Country/Lithuania/Content/Detail/Report/edad6326-611b-4e67-8733-189417c3424f
Lithuania - Human Rights Report: https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/lithuania/