Honors alum offered English teaching assistantship grants by the Fulbright U.S. Student Program
“Undertaking a Fulbright ETA is the perfect next step for me to both represent the United States and to mentor youth abroad,”
Mona Zubi, an Honors College alumna and had earned a bachelor’s degree in public policy and a minor in Russian from UIC last year, will travel to Tajikistan, where she will create English learning programs and events at the American Space, a U.S. State Department-funded community center offering free access to books in English, computers and other resources.
In high school and college, Zubi taught English language classes in Turkey and Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Her previous experiences teaching overseas and current work as an elementary assistant Montessori teacher have affirmed her commitment to education.
Zubi, a native of Granite City, maintains an interest in foreign policy, particularly involving post-Soviet Central Asia, and plans to pursue a master’s in public policy, achieve full fluency in Russian and potentially receive a PhD.
“While Russian influence is still very strong in Central Asia, I intend to join the decolonization and education work that is currently happening there. During my time with Fulbright, I plan not only to teach English but also to commit to community engagement and organizing,” she said.
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Read the full article in UIC Today here