Fulbright Reality Czech

Scholar Spotlight Interview: Azeta Hatef by Chloe' Sky  Summary Azeta Hatef is serving this year as a Fulbright Scholar through an affiliation with Masaryk University in Brno, Czechia. Inspired by her personal journey as an Afghan-American, she studies, researches and teaches international communications and world media systems. Read below to find out about her research in the Roma community, how ethnography informs her method, and why she thinks Fulbright is such a valuable experience. Fast Facts   Hometown:  Fremont, California Age:  30 College, Major/Minor:  B.A. – Berkeley; M.A. – Syracuse; Ph.D. - Penn State in Mass Communications Czech University:  Masarykova Univerzita Favorite Czech word or phrase:   učitelka , teacher Favorite Czech food:  Azeta is a vegetarian. She likes the meatless classic smažený sýr , or fried cheese. Favorite Quote: “For small creatures such as we, the vastness is bearable only through ...

by Chloe' Sky  Maeve Duffy is serving this year as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Rakovník (17,000 people), although she lives in a village called Senomaty (1000 people). Having majored in Theatre at Barnard College, Maeve is bringing Broadway to Czechia by directing a play in her town. Read below to find out exactly what classic American story she’s working on with her students, how she deals with the tough topics that are seen differently in Czech and American culture, and how being so close to nature has impacted her life. Fast Facts Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland Age: 22 College, Major/Minor: Barnard College, B.A. in Theatre with a concentration in Acting, pre-med track, minor in Biochemistry School in the Czech Republic:  Gymnazium Zikmunda Wintra Rakovník Favorite Czech word or phrase: veverka, squirrel. “Day 2 of my grant I was attacked by a squirrel, so this was one of the first Czech words I learned. I used it in the classroom and now ...

by Chloe' Sky Danielle Mueller Danielle Mueller is serving this year as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in the little town of Sušice, Czech Republic, near the Šumava mountains. An educator with a Bachelor’s in Sociology and English, Danielle studied abroad in Prague before Fulbright. Read below to find out how many Statement of Purpose drafts Danielle had to write, how Fulbright has impacted her self-image for the better, and what unexpected faux pas she’s committed by drawing basic shapes!  Fast Facts Hometown: Cortlandt Manor, New York Age: 23 College, Major/Minor: Hobart & William Smith Colleges, Sociology and English plus completion of an Education track School in the Czech Republic: Gymnázium Sušice Favorite Czech word or phrase: “Kočička” – meaning a small cat or a pretty girl Favorite Czech food: Svíčková Favorite Quote: “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.” – J.R.R. Tolkien Tell me about yourself. ...

Sarah Marie Kidder by Sinia Amanonce While attending Penn State University, Sarah Marie Kidder was part of a hip-hop dance team that hosted an event featuring Jaja Vankova, a famous Czech dancer, as one of their judges. As Sarah and Jaja spoke about dance, culture, and the Czech Republic, Sarah was inspired to apply for Fulbright in the Czech Republic. Read below to find out what Sarah has to say about building bonds with students and her experience living in Česká Lípa. Fast Facts: Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Age: 24 College, Major/Minor: Penn State University, University Park, Biobehavioral Health School in the Czech Republic: Obchodní akademie Česká Lípa Favorite Czech word: “I really like “veverka” which means squirrel and the phrase “tak ahoj!”[bye]” Favorite Czech food: Chlebíčky Favorite Quote: “The sun is perfect and you woke this morning. You have enough language in your mouth to be understood. You have a name, and someone wants to call it. Five fi...

Postřehy stipendistky Fulbright-Masarykova programu Petry Winnette Mozek v New Yorku Tak se konečně dostávám k malému zpravodajství. Už jsme se zabydleli na Broadwayi a trochu prozkoumali Manhattan. New York je velmi hlučný, plný lidí, ale taky úžasný. Hučí a žije ve dne v noci. Když se kolem druhé ráno, noční pták, podívám z okna, pořád se něco děje. Columbijská universita je šestou nejlepší universitou na světě. Zabývám se oborem, který je zde skloňován ve všech pádech, i když angličtina pády nemá… Neuroscience! To znamená zejména zkoumání mozku, jeho vývoje a činnosti, která je za vším, co nás dělá lidskými bytostmi: za myšlením, emocemi, pamětí, chováním… Patřím do laboratoře, která se přímo zaměřuje na vývoj mozku u dětí a adolescentů, vlivu adversního dětství na vývoj jednotlivých mozkových struktur a jejich propojení. Jsem u zdroje. Psychologie je na Columbijské universitě silný obor a neuroscience je tady samostatným oborem a zároveň už také zcela integrální součástí ...

Vandana Apte by Sinia Amanonce As a biotechnology major, Vandana was interested in becoming a high school chemistry teacher and aimed to do so with the prestigious Teach For America program. Instead, during this academic year, Vandana is serving as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Nový Jičín, Czech Republic. Here, she talks about her experience living abroad, goofing off with her students, and “adulting” in a foreign country. Fast Facts: Hometown: Walpole, Massachusetts Age: 23 College, Major/Minor: Rutgers New Brunswick, Biotechnology/ Bio Science Policy and Management, Women’s and Gender Studies School in the Czech Republic: Mendelova střední škola Nový Jičín Favorite Czech Word: “Well, my least favorite Czech word is the word for closet [skříň]. It’s so hard to say!” Favorite Czech Food: “My favorite Czech food is Svíčková and my favorite Czech candy is Fidorka - they remind me of Kit Kat.” Favorite Quote: “I went to a Kooks concert and I like the title “She Moves ...

by Sinia Amanonce Kelsey Gerbec Kelsey Gerbec is a 22-year-old, Indiana University graduate who has spent time teaching English in Peru and Rwanda. This year, she is continuing her experience with international education by serving as an English Teaching Assistant in Litomyšl, Czech Republic. Read below to find out what Kelsey has to say about language education and acquisition, conquering imposter syndrome, and her experience introducing the Cha Cha slide to Czech teens. Fast Facts Hometown: Geneva, Illinois Age: 22 College, Major/Minor: Indiana University, Secondary Math Education/ Spanish and International and Comparative Education School in the Czech Republic: Gymnázium A. Jiráska Litomyšl Favorite Czech word and food: “Oh! Svíčková! I don’t know if that counts as a word because it is food, but it is my favorite Czech food.” Favorite Quote: “Keep moving forward” - Walt Disney. Please, tell me about yourself. I am from the Chicago suburbs and I went to Ind...