Juan Rostran Valle
Foreign Student from Nicaragua
Field: TEFL/TESOL
Host: School for International Training, Brattleboro, Vermont, USA
Dates of Grant: August 5, 2007-August 4, 2008

Last August, I left the borders of my country to initiate the most important learning experience in my life. In the beginning, I felt a mixture of feelings; high expectations and fear. I hoped that I would take part in an engaging graduate program -- one that would help me grow professionally and culturally. Indeed, being a Fulbrighter has given me the opportunity to pursue my education in a quality Master of Arts in Teaching program (MAT-TESOL). I am not only becoming a better teacher, but developing intercultural understanding.
 
First and foremost, I am glad that my graduate program matches my educational needs. The School for International Training MAT-TESOL program is exceptional; I am learning a lot about teaching. One special feature of this graduate program is the way it bridges theory and practice. The reflection-practice-reflection phases of the program give me an opportunity to articulate and analyze my teaching and learning beliefs, concretize those beliefs during the internship phase, and then reflect upon them in implementation. In fact, I am in a graduate program that fully comprises what I was looking for.

Moreover, the opportunity to study in the United States assists me in achieving my educational goal of developing cultural understanding. Being in a program with classmates from all around the world embodies a rich cultural adventure. The everyday interaction with my classmates promotes tolerance and respect, and, therefore, personal growth. I am, without doubt, becoming more aware of cultural differences as I share my experiences with others. I am truly content that I am now immersed in an amazing multicultural community. In this experience, I am also a cultural ambassador.

At this point, just as I am about to finish the first semester of my program, I can tell that the experience has been incredibly rewarding. As a Fulbright ambassador, I am learning from my everyday experiences; I am achieving my academic goals while broadening my cultural awareness.

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