Fulbright U.S. English Teaching Assistant Spotlight: Catherine Crouch

Applying and preparing for an opportunity like a Fulbright Scholarship can be a nerve-wracking experience. To ease your mind and provide you with an insider’s look into the Fulbright experience as an English Teaching Assistant (ETA) in Kosovo, we decided to catch up with our U.S. Fulbright community. We asked them to reflect on their Fulbright experience in Kosovo and answer a few insightful questions, from preparing their applications to what it was really like living and being engaged in Kosovo as an ETA.

We’re continuing our series of questions with 2023-2024 grantee Catherine Crouch, who graduated from Bowdoin College, where she double majored in History and English with a concentration in Creative Writing. She spent an academic year as an ETA at the American Advising Center (AAC) in Prishtina.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers Study/Research Awards to recent college graduates, graduate students, and early career professionals. These awards allow grantees to design their projects, which typically involve working with advisers at foreign universities or other institutes of higher education, including here in Kosovo.

More info here: https://us.fulbrightonline.org/applicants/types-of-awards/study-research

What is your educational and professional background?

I graduated from Bowdoin College in May 2023 with a B.A. in English and History. I was fortunate enough to work several jobs while in college that prepared me for my time here in Kosova. Most importantly, I worked as a Teaching Assistant in Bowdoin’s history department, and I served as Head Tour Guide in Bowdoin’s Office of Admissions.

Why did you choose to apply for the Fulbright Program?

As simple as it sounds, I wanted to do something I had never done before. The year after you graduate college is already a time of transition, so I felt it was the perfect opportunity to move abroad and live a life different than I had ever had. I specifically wanted to live and work in Kosova to learn more about a history I had only ever read about, and to teach my friends back home about a country and region that is often understudied in America. As for why I was drawn to teach English, good teachers can change your perspective, make you more confident, and believe in you when you have big dreams. I wanted to pay it forward and do my best to be the teacher that I have benefited from so much throughout my academic career.

Could you tell us about your experience as a Fulbrighter in Kosovo?

I have had such a wonderful experience, and I feel incredibly lucky to have had the placement I had at the American Advising Center (AAC) here in Prishtina. I teach most weekdays at night, which has given me the opportunity to connect with students virtually from all over the country, as well as have time for my own personal projects. Teaching as often as I do, I have grown close to my students, and they truly have been such a source of knowledge and comfort for me. Kosovo is welcoming and warm, and I have grown so fond of Prishtina, a city full of interesting places and interesting people.

What is the most valuable component you have gained from the program? 

I have gained a lot of skills- both academic, to be used in the classroom, and personal, that I know I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Being a teacher has pushed me to model enthusiasm for learning, even on the days when I am maybe more tired, because I know I have students counting on me. Additionally, being independent in a foreign country has forced me to be resourceful in new ways. Overall, I would say that I have had to rely on myself more than ever, which, of course, has been challenging in moments, but ultimately has been so rewarding.

How do you plan to implement the knowledge gained as a part of the program after you return to the U.S.?

As cliché as it sounds, living abroad and immersing yourself in another culture broadens your perspectives and helps you realize what is most important to you. I have grown to love Kosovan culture and the collective priority on spending time with friends and family, not just when convenient, but as a necessary part of a full life. I am going to do my best to bring this practice back home with me to the U.S. and share it with my community.

How was the application process for you, and what advice do you have for prospective candidates?

The application process was both long and intensive, but I think I mitigated a lot of potential stress by working consistently on my essays. I committed to editing drafts each week, which kept me on track for the deadline and never made any task feel too large. This consistent work not only allowed me to complete my application before the deadline, but it also fostered a meaningful connection between myself and the country I hoped to live in, as I was constantly thinking about how to best express why I wanted to move to Kosova.

My biggest piece of advice would be to be yourself! I devoted a lot of time in college to the performing arts: I led a dance group, performed sketch comedy, and acted in mainstage plays. I was worried that my interests and passions were not “academic” enough to be competitive for something like Fulbright. However, I chose to speak about these parts of myself in my application, not only because they are important to me, but because I believed they had prepared and qualified me for the Fulbright just as much as some of my more traditional academic experiences. I can now confidently say that the creative skills I nurtured in college have been the most helpful to me while in Kosovo.

What is the biggest culture shock you experienced during your time in Kosovo?

I had never visited a majority-Muslim country before, so living among mosques and hearing the call to prayer multiple times a day were new experiences for me. It has been enriching to learn more about Islam, and I am grateful to my students for always being willing to share with me their culture and practices.

What is your favorite place you have visited in Kosovo while participating in the Fulbright program?

I feel like the obvious answer is Prizren- one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen! But I really do love Prishtina. The city is much bigger than it looks on its surface, and I have enjoyed exploring it during my time here. I love to wake up early on a Sunday and go on a large walk: the city is calm and quiet, and I have been able to discover so many pockets of peace in a city that can sometimes be quite rowdy.

What is your favorite Kosovar dish/food?

It is hard to choose! The first thing that comes to mind is ajvar: I put it on just about everything, and I love eating it with pitalka bread. Spinach burek is also incredibly delicious, and I love seeing how different bakeries make it.