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Two alumni, two Fulbrights

By GIA Center

Michaela Rogan (‘20) sat in her first year CORE lecture and was inspired. Five UD students who all had received Fulbright scholarships were sharing about their upcoming experiences in different countries, and what they would be doing as English Teaching Assistants (ETAs). “I left that lecture with my mind made up,” Michaela laughs, “I would definitely be applying, because it sounded exactly like something I would love to do…since I was studying to be a Spanish teacher.” While at UD, Michaela also completed a certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), through the School of Education and Health Sciences, which gave her knowledge and skills for teaching English as a second language. Upon graduation, Michaela applied to the Fulbright Argentina program, and waited to hear the results of the competitive selection process.

Erin Gahimer (‘13), working in the Global and Intercultural Affairs Center as a Senior Program Coordinator, had a slightly different route to Fulbright. She took advantage of UD’s tuition benefit in 2018 to complete her TESOL Certificate as part of her professional development. “I have always enjoyed languages, both English classes throughout high school and college, as well as my formal study of Spanish as a second language. I also really came to enjoy learning about the process of language acquisition through my TESOL Certificate program at UD…I think that experience solidified my identity as a language nerd.” Erin also had previous experience in Argentina: she had lived and worked there with Marianist schools in 2013. “Argentina was a very easy choice for me because of my past experience here. It was such an incredibly positive experience living and working here that I was always interested in returning if I had the chance. And, Fulbright provided that chance.” She worked her way through the application process, editing and re-editing her essays, and submitted her application. 

And then the pandemic hit.

Like many organizations promoting mobility around the world, Fulbright had to make adjustments. Michaela’s program was scheduled to begin in 2021, but was postponed. Erin’s was, as well. Both of them were caught in a holding pattern, waiting to see what would happen. “The uncertainty of whether or not I would be able to go was tough,” says Michaela, “I felt like I was making back-up plans for the two years after I graduated which included teaching Spanish at my high school for a year and living in Granada, Spain working as an au pair.” Erin concurs:  “The pandemic put the entire program on hold for 2 years, so the anticipation period was much longer than expected.” 

They agree on another thing: Fulbright was absolutely worth the wait.

In a series of coincidences that couldn’t possibly have been predicted, both UD alumna found their way to Argentina in 2022 to serve as English Teaching Assistants in institutions of higher education funded through Fulbright scholarships.

The Fulbright ETA program places recipients in educational institutions from K-12 to higher ed. The assistants serve as cultural ambassadors and language support to local faculty or teachers in language departments across the country. Michaela says, “I love my role as an ETA building connections with my students and getting to share my culture while learning just as much from them.” Erin has similar perspectives: “I learn so much each and every day…I’ve had the privilege of learning how higher education works in another country, particularly how a national, public university operates. In the context of Argentina, that means that it is completely free to attend the university. Seeing the differences of what it means to live in a society where higher education is viewed as a human right, rather than a market commodity, has been quite eye-opening and inspiring. Secondly, working in an English Teacher Education program, I’ve also reflected a lot on the power of the English language and the dedication students have to mastering their proficiency in the language. That impressive dedication of the university students striving to be English teachers has been really neat, especially as they move through a very rigorous and demanding program.”

Both UD grads have also had the opportunity to develop their intercultural skills through experiences unique to Argentina. Erin’s prior experience in the country has been deepened and expanded: “In some ways, I had a leg up on some of my fellow grantees because of my previous experience living and working in Argentina,” she says, “ However, this Fulbright experience has still been unique and distinct in that I’m living in another city, Mar del Plata, not in the federal capital of Buenos Aires. So, I’ve had the opportunity to experience a different sub-culture of Argentina.” Michaela connects her time in Argentina directly to her future plans: living in a Spanish-speaking country, she says, has helped develop her Spanish language skills. “Having the opportunity to be interacting in Spanish everyday has been a huge aid in improving my Spanish abilities”, she notes, but that’s not all: “Experiencing the Argentine way of living has helped me become more culturally competent and will allow me to share what I have learned first hand with my future students upon return.”

In spite of the initial pandemic-influenced delays, both Fulbrighters are taking full advantage of the opportunity they’ve been given. They regularly engage in events at their universities, including conferences and workshops, but also in informal social events that give them insight into the culture they’re now a part of. “The Argentine people really love their weekends, especially gathering for an asado” (barbecue), Michaela says, “This is so important and most of the time what gets them through the week!” She has enjoyed getting to experience the cuisine of Argentina in its desserts: dulce de leche and alfajores (a sandwich-style cookie with caramel in the middle) are her favorites. Erin has enjoyed living near the ocean: “Despite the fact that the majority of my time here has been throughout the winter months, living so close to the sea for the first time in my life has been really nice. I have to say, it beats the treadmill at the UD RecPlex in terms of an exercise landscape!” 

They will return to the U.S. this November, both with changed perspectives and new cultural awareness. Michaela reflects on her learning in Argentina about “the state of just ‘being’ versus ‘doing’. “It is common to sit and hang out with family and friends for hours without worrying about what it is you have to get done. This has been helpful for me to learn to enjoy and be present more.The people of Argentina can sometimes be last-minute people which was a little stressful for me at the beginning because I am somebody that likes to make plans in advance. But, I have become more flexible and better at going with the flow.”

Kelly Brannan Trail, Director in the GIA Center and Erin's supervisor, says: "Although having Erin away from her role at UD for 8 months is not easy, we were thrilled to support her having this Fulbright opportunity because it ultimately benefits both her personally and UD.  Her experience being immersed in Argentine culture and working at an Argentine university will undoubtedly expand her intercultural competency, understanding of Latin American universities, and empathy towards students who are preparing for an education abroad opportunity. We can’t wait to have her back in the GIA Center later this fall.”

Erin does, in fact, connect the Fulbright experience to her work at UD, in the Global and Intercultural Affairs Center: “I hope my experience working on the inside of an Argentine university will aid my work when I collaborate with university providers and partners in Latin America going forward for UD faculty-led programs,” she says. Most of all, however, she’ll miss the people. “The Department of Modern Languages at the Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata has been extraordinarily welcoming and receptive to my presence in the department this academic year. I’ve bonded with both students and faculty and made some really wonderful friendships that have extended beyond the university classrooms. They have welcomed me with open arms as a valued member of the university community. The Argentine people’s general warmth and cariño [love, care] is second to none, and I will miss the way they enjoy life.”

For information about Fulbright opportunities for current students, visit the UD Honors website. For information about Fulbright for faculty and staff, email gia@udayton.edu.

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