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: 1) serving as a resource person in the classroom and in conversation groups; 2) providing small group tutorials; 3) assisting students with reading and written English; 4) 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 pre-departure orientation is organized by IIE, virtual or in-person.
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.
Eligibility
Accepted Degree Levels
- 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, including 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 and 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.
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.
Dependents
Grantees with dependent children should not expect to find schools with English instruction in the placement regions.
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 Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
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/