ETA Responsibilities

As a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) in Spain I have responsibilities both as an English teacher and as a Fulbright scholar. I've had many people ask me exactly what I'll be doing in Spain and what is expected of me. So here's the perfect place to explain it all!

1. My primary responsibility in Madrid is to be an English teaching assistant at a secondary school (high school). I work in the classroom about 20 hours per week and spend time outside of class preparing lessons as well. As a teaching assistant I am able to lead activities with my students that are engaging and something new to them. Classes range from teaching English to other courses like art, science, etc. As part of the school's bilingual program I lead the classes fully in English so that they have exposure to a native speaker. As an ETA, I hope to give my students a different view of the U.S. than what they hear from others or from the media. I want to share my favorite things about my hometown and country. And along with that, improve the students' English abilities.
2. My second responsibility is to come up with an independent study project that I work on outside of the hours I'm in school or commuting. My focus is European cuisine. After taking a food & wine course in Florence, Italy last summer and knowing that my dream one day is to open my own restaurant, I want to devote part of my time in Madrid to studying the various cuisines offered in the city. I plan to do this by taking culinary classes, exploring all sorts of restaurants, and by experimenting in my own apartment kitchen with the recipes I learn in class and by attempting to recreate those I eat at other places. My goal is to compile a recipe book with all of the ones I make or learn. I want to bring it back to the U.S. to share with family and friends, as well as with other Fulbrighters. My hope is to use some of the recipes in a future restaurant.
3. Another aspect encouraged by the Fulbright program is community service. It is a great way to meet others and give back to the country that is so willing to fund my time there. I've found that helping others brings much happiness and fulfillment. Without giving up some of my time to help the community I wouldn't feel as if my time in Spain is complete, and I would miss the opportunity to show Spaniards that Americans do care about other people and making a difference throughout the world.
4. Finally, absorbing the Spanish culture and language is of top priority throughout my time abroad. I plan to take language courses, participate in language exchanges, and use Spanish wherever I can even if I make silly mistakes. I hope that within some time there I can become fully fluent and pick up the Spanish accent. I know right now I have no idea how to sound "Spanish", so I am hoping everyone can at least understand me. I'm sure it'll get better with time!

In the end, my hopes are that I will do my very best at all of these responsibilities I've mentioned, become more knowledgeable about the world, about Spain, and about countless other things. I know this time in a foreign place will help develop me as a person - learning about a new world all the while staying connected to those I love back home.