Kevin Ho, an english major and secondary education minor will be headed to Vietnam this fall as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant.
The English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Programs place Fulbrighters in classrooms abroad to provide assistance to the local English teachers. ETAs help teach English language while serving as cultural ambassadors for the U.S. Being a Vietnamese-American in the education field, the Vietnam ETA is a chance for Ho to experience his family’s roots and visit the village they grew up in.
“I want to immerse myself in the unfamiliar culture of my family and engage in meaningful teaching experiences with other people,” said Kevin.
According to Kevin, the College of Education helped prepare him for this program through both the pedagogy learned in lecture and the applied practice beyond the classroom. He also says the diversity on campus helped immensely.
“I chose Illinois in an effort to step out of my comfort zone and place myself in a setting where I would be challenged and have a huge opportunity to grow as an educator, leader, and friend,” said Kevin. “The diverse campus played a huge role in learning more about myself and connecting with others.”
Ho's inspiration to teach comes from his high school Spanish teacher, Señora Wielgos. She was a teacher who not only supported all of his endeavors, but swas brutally honest about the world and opened his eyes to the harsh reality and endless beauties life has to offer.
"She made feel safe and loved when I felt no one else could. Because of this, I hope to do the same for all of my students, now and in the future."
If you are interested in becoming a Fulbright Scholar, you can learn more about specific programs and University info sessions here. The University of Illinois is proud to have been named a top producer of U.S. Fulbright student grants for eight of the past nine years and encourages students to explore the many opportunities Fulbright programs offer. The priority deadline for applications is June 17, 2019.
