Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program
US Educators invited to apply to live and work abroad
Live and work abroad: here are some hints and tips on how to apply for a year or semester direct exchange.
Ready for a new challenge? Teachers in the third year of full-time teaching who want to enjoy a career-building and life-changing experience should consider applying to the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program. Applicants can end up living and working abroad for a semester or year in another country.
The application itself requires, in addition to gathering general information, the country/countries desired, a CV/resume, letters of recommendation from a supervisor, a colleague, and principal, and an essay. Once accepted, applicants are invited to interview at a local site with past Fulbright exchange teachers and IIE staff.
Be prepared for some negativity: Colleagues may say it is highly competitive, first-time applicants are unlikely to be chosen or, if chosen, that it is difficult to find an international match. But usually this is because some applicants are unwilling to consider countries other than the three they indicated on their application. Supervisors may question the risk of taking on an international teacher who is not a native English speaker, especially in the climate of increasing state and federal oversight of education. A phone interview with the international match and a reminder that the exchange partners can begin to exchange materials well before meeting prior to the exchange can help to alleviate these legitimate concerns.
Basic requirements for application to the program:
- Full-time elementary through 4-year college level teacher in the U.S.
- Ability to make a semester-long or year-long commitment
- Be a U.S. Citizen
- Hold a U.S. passport
- Fluent in English
- Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree
- Be in your third year of full-time teaching
- Have not been an exchange participant in a program of greater than 8 weeks in the past five years
- Have not been an exchange participant in a program of less than 8 weeks in the past two years
If interested in applying for the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program, please click here.
