Fulbright Reality Czech

Interview By: Maureen Heydt This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity. Hanna Sachs Frýdek-Místek lies on the outskirts of Ostrava, thirty kilometers from the Slovakian border, and only twenty kilometers from the Polish border, making it easily the most eastern placement town this year for a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant. That ETA is Hannah Sachs, a 22-year-old American who is driven by work that connects her diverse passions of theatre, religious studies and social justice. Hannah is working diligently this year to be as involved in her community as she can, even committing to directing a fully produced play with the students at her high school. With plans to study next year at the prestigious Yale University, Hannah is enjoying her year abroad in the Czech Republic immensely. Read below to hear her thoughts on teaching English, cultural diversity and the rich history of the theatre in the Czech Republic. -------------------------------------- Fast F...

Interview By: Maureen Heydt This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity. Sinia Amanonce Sinia Amanonce is an energetic 23-year-old American living in the historic town of Kutná Hora as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant for the 2016-2017 school year. She was inspired to apply to the program in the Czech Republic after spending a summer working at a restaurant in her home state of New Jersey with Czech university students who were participating in the United States’ international student work exchange J-1 visa program . Sinia connected immediately with the Czech students, and decided to apply for a Fulbright grant from that experience. -------------------------------------- Fast Facts ------------ --------- ------------------- Hometown: Jersey City, New Jersey University/Major: New Jersey City University, English/Secondary Education School in Czech Republic: Církevní gymnasium, Kutná Hora Age: 23 Favorite Quote: “The past, the present, and the fut...

Interview By: Maureen Heydt This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity. Clara Cushing Clara Cushing is a 22 year-old American working as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in the historic town of Benešov, Czech Republic. Cushing arrived to the Czech Republic by way of California, but before that she spent five years living with her family in Germany on an American military base. This early exposure to travel and new cultures instilled an appreciation for diversity and cultural exchange in Cushing, experiences that inspired her to teach abroad after graduating earlier this year. Below, she describes living in the town that was once home to Archduke Franz Ferdinand and what it is like to work at an agricultural high school—Surprise! It involves going horseback riding once a week. -------------------------------------- Fast Facts ------------ --------- ------------------- Hometown: Monterey, California University/Major: Santa Clara Unive...

Interview By: Maureen Heydt This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity. Teal Vickre y Nestled at the foot of the Šumava mountains lays the picturesque town of Vimperk, where Teal Vickrey is serving as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant this year. As a native Coloradoan, she is used to living in mountainous areas, but still finds herself awed by the nature and beauty of Šumava, as well as impressed at how active the community is in hiking, cycling and skiing. Vickrey herself is passionate about education, communication and writing, and at only two months into her grant year, is already starting to feel at home in her South Bohemian town of 8,000 people. -------------------------------------- Fast Facts ---------------------------------------- Hometown: Louisville, Colorado University/Major: Colorado State University, Communication/English School in Czech Republic: Gymnázium a SOŠ ekonomická, Vimperk Age: 22 Favorite Quote: “What you think, y...

Interview By: Maureen Heydt This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity. Taylor Kloha Dvořák, Smetana, and Martinů. Before 22-year-old Taylor Kloha had even been to the Czech Republic, she was already familiar with some of the nation’s greatest and most famous composers. Now, Taylor is living in the South Bohemian capital city of České Budějovice, teaching English through the Fulbright ETA program, and experiencing the land and culture of the musicians who first inspired her to seek out the Czech Republic. Below, Taylor discusses her myriad passions and interests, ranging from German philosophy to performing in orchestras, and describes what life is like as an ETA in one of the Czech Republic’s most famous cities.  -------------------------------------- Fast Facts ------------ --------- ------------------- Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri University/Major: Carthage College, Major: Great Ideas, Minor: Japanese School in Czech Republic: Střední ...