Jump to content

The Wandering Raven

Members
  • Posts

    16
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Profile Information

  • Location
    Athens, Greece
  • Program
    Fulbright, ETA Turkey

The Wandering Raven's Achievements

Decaf

Decaf (2/10)

0

Reputation

  1. Hey everyone, I am one of the Turkey ETAs from 2010 - 2011. First off, I am really sorry you all are waiting still. It's ridiculous! You all should hear really soon. Basically my understanding of the hold up is as follows: the 20ish selected universities all need to sign new contracts individually with Fulbright, the Embassy and YOK (the Turkish Ministry of Education) and they won't send out letters until all the universities sign as well as YOK. My year had wide spread problems, largly with payment last year because YOK did not end up providing funding for the program, consequently they are trying to renegotiate things so you all get properly paid (and aren't treated totally like Turkish employees when it comes to breaks and other things). Fulbright in Turkey is highly disorganized and not for the faint hearted. That said, even with all the problems the experience was life changing and wonderful (in large part because of the tenacity and brilliance of the other ETAs). Chances are very high that most, if not all, finalists will get the grant. Turkey (as in YOK) theoretically desperately wants to expand the program. Just be ready for a lot of chaos particularly with institutional bureaucracy and Turkish Fulbright itself! There is some good news though. You all are getting a pretty ridiculous housing stipend given the cost of living in Turkey (which we never got). PM me if you have an questions about the grant. And again hang tight; I bet you all hear good news soon. iyi şanslar
  2. I just got off the phone with the Ankara office to find out a bit more about what is happening with the ETAs for Turkey. They confirmed most of what Rachel said. I was told the tenative date for an orientation in D.C. Is August 10th-13th. This hasn't been finalized though. Last year the ETAs started their grants September 15th, but there are so many of us it might shift this year. I hope this helps everyone! I can't wait to meet you all.
  3. I couldn't delete this post, sorry!
  4. I think letters just went out... The finalists have a facebook group that probably has more details: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=186957131829&v=wall&ref=ts Good luck!
  5. No you're right! It has changed a lot; the description was more open ended before and didn't mention regions etc. I had saved the old description in bullet points last fall when putting my application together. Here it is to compare with the new one... ● Applicants must be native speakers of English: ● Knowledge of basic Turkish is recommended but not required: ● Fulbright ETAs are also eligible for the Critical Language Enhancement Award on page 17: ● Applications are welcome from well-rounded candidates at all degree levels: ● irrespective of field of study: ● with the initiative to assist in teaching conversational English to university students: ● Preference will be given to applicants in the social sciences, humanities, English language and American studies: ● Previous teaching experience is helpful but not required: ● Successful candidates will not just be teaching English: ● But also explaining their country to Turkish counterparts who have little contextual understanding of the United States: ● Applicants should submit descriptions of their study ● and/or career interests: ● Research proposals are not required; ● however, applicants may propose small research projects that will not conflict with assigned classroom responsibilities: ● Grantees will be affiliated with Turkish universities: ● Positions involve working under the supervision of established teachers: ● ETAs may help teach classes in which conversation: ● and other skills such as vocabulary building: ● writing and: ● reading will be emphasized: ● Usually 12 hours a week in class are expected: ● as well as other support activity: ● Placement may be in cities other than Istanbul and Ankara Here is the new University one: Candidate profile Applications will be accepted from adventurous, well-rounded candidates at all degree levels, irrespective of field of study, with the initiative to assist in teaching conversational English to students in the pioneering new universities being set up by YÖK (the Turkish Higher Education Council) throughout the country. Preference will be given to graduating seniors in the humanities, social sciences, English language and American studies. Previous teaching experience is helpful but not required. Successful candidates will not just be assistant-teaching English but also explaining their country to Turkish counterparts who have little contextual understanding of the United States. Applicants should submit descriptions of their study and/or career interests. Research proposals are not required; however, applicants may propose small research projects that will not conflict with assigned classroom responsibilities. Candidates may indicate intensive language study – either with CLEA or privately at their own expense – in their free time, instead of proposing research. Affiliation 35 ETAs will be placed in new universities in central, southeastern and eastern Turkey in Academic Year 2011-2012 to support the teaching and learning of English. These ETAs will spend approximately 20 hours per week teaching English (with a focus on speaking/listening skills), plus requisite class preparation time and school-related activities. The assignment may vary, depending on a school’s needs and the ETAs’ personal strengths and interests.
  6. Hey Sally, I can totally relate. I had a dream they sent me to the wrong country! I was so confused and kept asking people "Why am I in Bulgaria?" I wanted to be in Turkey so badly! I woke up and finally had proof that this waiting is getting to me. I take solace in the fact I am not the only one...
  7. Well I'll throw in my educated guesswork and conjecture into the conversation for good measure. I don't think that this is a funding issue because the new funding is jointly coming from the U.S. and Turkey. I think the problem is that they need to come up with placements for 35 of us instead of the original 10 (all outside of Istanbul and Ankara at universities that want and can use ETAs). I think the logistics of it are huge and the Fulbright offices in Istanbul and Ankara are rather small to handle it at the moment given all the work they have unrelated to our grants. There also is a new director of the Fulbright in Ankara. Maybe tha complicates things? Honestly, I don't know - the waiting is awful. I'm sure they're trying to sort things out as fast as they can, and at least there are more spots now.
  8. I feel you guys on the wait. It's killer. I've been: 1. Watching Glee 2. Compulsively checking my email 3. Eating too much baklava and chocolate 4. Studying impossible languages 5. Looking at this forum more than I should
  9. Thanks so much for the update, even if it is depressing news. This really is getting torturous. Just know you aren't alone in the wait!
  10. I am loving the program. I am currently working in both the college counseling office and the High School; it has been so much fun. Honestly, if I could stay another year I would in a second. I hope you hear some good news shortly. I believe Kathy (the Fellowship coordinator) will send an email letting you know if you have been short listed soon. If you do end up getting short listed, feel free to send me any questions you have. Again, good luck!
  11. Hi, I am currently a H.A.E.F. Fellow. You should hear sometime before March 27th about whether you've been short listed (most likely a bit earlier). Interviews, last I heard, are planned for after the break sometime after April 11th. Good luck!
  12. From last year's thread, it seems like all final decisions are sent out from New York as normal mail. So, let the waiting begin!
  13. Our campus FPA told us that we'd hear by 5 pm EST today. They need to contact more than 5,000 of us, so I guess it's understandable that we need to sit and wait a while longer. That being said, it's already 10 pm where I am, so the wait is killing me!
  14. The Hellenic American Educational Foundation has a great English Teaching Fellowship for College Seniors and recent grads who'd like to teach in Athens Greece. The deadline is January 31st. Here is the information on it: Every year ten fellowships are awarded to recent graduates from top universities in the United States to teach at The Hellenic American Educational Foundation in Greece. The Fellows are chosen to act as young ambassadors to the schools, strengthening the ties between the Foundation and the United States, and providing a cross-cultural educational experience. The role of the Fellows includes infusing their culture, enthusiasm, ideas, language and knowledge into our school community. In a very real sense they serve as role models for our students. For more information, visit: http://www.haef.gr/gr/fellowship/index.php or contact Fellowship Coordinator Kathy Caroki at kcaroki@haef.gr
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use