The Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program (FLTA) funds Belgian citizens to spend a year as foreign language teaching assistants in Dutch, French or German at American colleges and universities. Successful candidates are placed in U.S. institutions, where they can receive housing, meals, a monthly stipend and the possibility of following a few courses at the university level in addition to their teaching duties.
INTENDED PROGRAM
- Teaching Assistant in Dutch, French or German
APPLICATION PERIOD
September 15 till December 1 (at noon CET)
IMPORTANT
Review eligibility requirements below and include all required documents in your online application.
BENEFITS
- Housing, meals and monthly stipend from U.S. host institution*
- J-1 visa sponsorship
- Pre-departure orientation in Brussels
- Travel stipend of $1000
- Sickness and accident benefits
- In-country programming (e.g. summer orientation, seminars, local advisor)
- Prestigious title and access to alumni network
*benefits provided by host institution vary per college or university
ELIGIBILITY
- Belgian citizenship
- Proficiency in English (demonstrated by a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 85)
- Minimum of a bachelor's degree
- Recent graduates in Languages, Literature, Secondary Education, and related fields or Belgian teachers of French, Dutch or German at the upper secondary level with no more than 3 years of professional experience
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
- Americanized resume/CV
- Personal Statement Essay
- Diploma of most recent degree including transcripts with completed coursework
- Three letters of recommendation (uploaded directly into online application by chosen recommenders)
- TOEFL iBT score report (may be submitted after application deadline)
All these documents must be included in your application by December 1 with exception of the TOEFL iBT score report.
HOW TO APPLY
The application period to apply for this grant is between September 15 and December 1 for applicants who intend to start this program in the next academic year.
E.g. if you intend to start the FLTA Program in the academic year of 2023-2024, you will need to apply for a grant between September 15 and December 1, 2022.
Every applicant needs to complete an online application in English by noon (Central European Time) on December 1 including the required documents. Unlike other applicants, FLTA applicants must (eventually) submit a TOEFL iBT score. Applicants who take the TOEFL iBT test can send the official score report to us by using the following code: B361. No papers should be mailed to our office and it is not required for applicants to contact us before starting their application. Incomplete applications will not be considered for an award. When creating an online account to start a new application, preferably use a personal email address instead of a temporary work or school address.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program of the U.S. Department of State. Keep in mind that the program is all about promoting mutual understanding through cultural diplomacy. The Fulbright FLTA Program is sponsored by the United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). As part of the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, the Fulbright FLTA Program is designed to develop Americans’ knowledge of foreign cultures and languages by supporting teaching assistantships in over 30 languages at hundreds of U.S. institutions of higher education. The program offers educators from over 50 countries the opportunity to develop their professional skills and gain first-hand knowledge of the U.S., its culture and its people. More details on the FLTA Program can also be found here.
The most competitive applicants demonstrate ambassadorial qualities and a genuine interest in cultural exchange. It is important for candidates to articulate a clear, creative, and feasible plan for their time in the United States and to explain why this is the right time to pursue their plan and how their grant will ultimately help them achieve their personal and professional goals in the future. The Commission is looking for candidates who will also have a multiplier effect within their U.S., Belgian or Luxembourgish communities and who wish to ultimately return to Belgium or Luxembourg to share their knowledge and experiences after their grant has ended.
Candidates with strong completed applications submitted by the deadline will be invited to the Commission in the last week of January for a mandatory interview in English. Interviews are in person and cannot be rescheduled. The interview will include a discussion of your motivations for going to the U.S., your plans when you arrive, and how you will improve U.S. relations between Belgium or Luxembourg as an alumni when you return. Successful candidates will demonstrate ambassadorial qualities, English proficiency, and the ability to explain their academic proposal in simple terms. All applications are evaluated by our Selections Committee which is composed of Belgian, Luxembourgish and American academia, professionals, government officials, and Fulbright alumni from various fields.
APPLICATION TIMELINE
HEAR FROM OUR GRANTEES
"It has been an incredible year, between teaching French, learning about American culture, traveling, meeting other FLTA’s from all over the world, and discovering American students’ way of life, the two semesters passed by so quickly. Fulbright gave me such a wonderful opportunity to live this experience and create lifelong memories. I encourage everyone who considers an experience abroad to just go for it and enjoy every day that passes."
Alena Kryvutsa
Fulbright FLTA to Austin College (2019-2020)
“Still, what for me was the highlight of my whole experience here, was our outdoor trips. As a Belgian who absolutely loves the outdoors, the U.S. is a wondrous place. I got to go to state parks and regions of pure, almost undisturbed nature, bigger than my country. And that, that was for me the absolute highlight.”
Kris Van Doorsselaere
Fulbright FLTA to University of Minnesota (2018-2019)
“Another way I have been involved in university life is by taking ballroom dance classes. With zero previous experience, I was a bit hesitant at first, but since this Fulbright year is all about doing new things I decided to just go for it. Now you can see me dancing tango, foxtrot and so much more for about 5 hours a week during both lessons and social dancing.”
Joke De Lille
Fulbright FLTA to University of Minnesota (2016-2017)
“Aside from this unique teaching experience, as a Fulbright FLTA I was given the opportunity to take courses at my host university. A teaching methodology class helped me learn the ropes of teaching in this new environment, and collaborating with my peers, the other new TAs in the department, taught me things about teaching that will surely impact on my classroom practice for years to come.”
Charlotte Vanhecke
Fulbright FLTA to University of Minnesota (2015-2016)
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
I am a Belgian citizen living abroad. Can I apply?
As a Belgian citizen, you may apply for a Fulbright grant if you are living in any country except the United States. If you are resident in the United States, a dual U.S.-Belgium or U.S.-Luxembourg citizen, or hold a Green Card at the time of application, you are ineligible to apply.
I am a Belgian citizen currently pursuing my studies in the United States. Am I eligible to apply for the Fulbright Program?
Candidates already in the United States at the time of application and those who have resided in the U.S. for five or more years in the six-year period preceding the date of application are ineligible to apply. Moreover, please note that preference will be given to those who have not had substantial recent experience in the U.S. with “substantial recent experience” being study, research or employment for a period of aggregating more than an academic year (9 months) during the past five years.
I do not have Belgian citizenship, but am currently living/studying/working there. Am I eligible to apply for the FLTA Program?
No. Eligibility for the Fulbright Program is based on nationality, not residence.
Do I need to include any standardized test scores in my application?
No. We do not require exam scores (e.g. GRE,) for the grant application, however, FLTA applicants must submit a TOEFL iBT score.
When is the deadline to submit an application?
Every applicant needs to complete an online application by December 1 at 12 PM (Central European Time) including the required documents. Incomplete applications will not be considered for an award.
When do I need to apply for the FLTA Program?
Applicants can apply for a Fulbright award between September 15 and December 1 with the intention to carry out a program in the next academic year, starting in August/September.
As a participant in the Fulbright FLTA Program, will I be subject to the two-year home requirement after my grant?
Yes. All Fulbrighters are J-1 Exchange Visitors subject to a two-year home residency requirement also known as the foreign residence requirement under U.S. law, Immigration and Nationality Act, section 212(e). A two-year period of home residency is required before you may apply for a non-immigrant (H, L and M) visa as a temporary worker or for permanent residency in the United States. This requirement does not prevent you from reentry into the United States within the two-year period to attend conferences, tourism, or further study. More information about the two-year rule can be found here. A list of documents that fulfill the proof of legal residency requirement for each EU country can be found here.
When will I receive my host university placement?
University placements are determined by our colleagues at IIE, and successful candidates will receive notification of their placement in May. While they may be able to take applicant preferences into account, FLTA applicants should be aware that they may be placed at a university in a rural area or in a geographic region in which they did not express interest.
The online application has asked me to do something different to the application instructions on the website. What should I do?
The online application system is used by Fulbright Programs around the world and application procedures differ greatly from country to country. You must follow the guidelines presented by the Fulbright Commission in Brussels.
What is an Americanized resume?
While many examples of an ‘American’ style resume can be found online, there are some general guidelines that are different from a typical ‘European’ style resume. An American resume begins with your name and contact information (address, phone number, email address) at the top of the page. Most resumes will include sections about education, work experience and skills. Do not include personal information like a photo, date/place of birth, nationality, or marital status. In most cases, it is recommended to have a resume or CV that is no longer than one or two pages, however, we understand that this can be more challenging in an academic context.
How do I add the required letters of recommendation to my application?
Letters of recommendation need to be submitted online by your chosen recommenders. In the online application you will find a section called ‘Recommendations’ where you can register your chosen recommenders. Once registered they will receive an automatic email with the request to upload their letter of recommendation which we will be added to your application. After registering, you are able to track the status of these letters and send reminders. These letters need to be submitted in your application by the December 1 deadline.
Can I submit more than three letters of recommendation?
Although it is technically possible to register more than three recommenders in the online application, we only require three letters and only the first three letters will be taken into consideration.
Is the entire application in English?
Yes. The online application needs to be completed in English including the required documents. Exceptionally, you may include transcripts and the diploma of your most recent degree in either Dutch, French or German, however it is recommended to submit an English version of these documents. Any documents in other languages should be submitted along with a certified English translation.
Does the Fulbright Commission in Brussels require supplemental forms?
We do NOT require supplemental forms such as a Report on Proficiency in English or a Letter of Reference Form.
Does the Fulbright Commission in Brussels require me to contact them before beginning the application?
We do NOT require applicants to contact us before beginning the application. You can start your online application without contacting us beforehand.
When will I hear from the Fulbright Commission if I have been selected for an interview?
Applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted via email in mid-January. Interviews will take place during the last week of January or in the first week of February.
Can I mail physical documents to the Fulbright Commission?
No. The application is completed entirely online.
When will I hear from the Fulbright Commission if I have been selected for a Fulbright Award?
Successful applicants will be contacted via email in late February or early March. Successful applicants must then be officially approved by the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board and should receive a confirmation of their grant in mid-March.
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info[at]fulbright.be / +32 (0)2 519 57 72