Serving as an English Language Fellow means 10 months of challenging and rewarding work overseas. In addition to professional qualifications, successful Fellows have other qualities that prove beneficial for a successful fellowship: patience, flexibility, determination, and adaptability. They often have to deal with situations and conditions not common in the United States.
Please consider the following list of possible living conditions of (some) English Language fellowships. Depending on their assignment location, EL Fellows may have to:
- Live with unreliable electricity, heat, or running water and other basic services on a regular and unpredictable basis
- Live in apartments or residences that are not accessible by an elevator
- Share an apartment with others/strangers
- Deal with lack of refrigeration on a regular basis, which may mean shopping daily for groceries
- Walk several miles to get to host institution or stores
- Cope with high prices for basic goods (that are common in the United States)
- Rely on uncertain public transportation
- Contend with labor strikes (teachers, transport, etc.) or other civil unrest
- Experience long waits and bureaucracy
- Endure isolation, lack of communication with outside (poor internet / telephone / mail)
- Live in extremely hot or cold climates
- Endure long periods of seasonal darkness
- Encounter dietary differences
- Face anti-American attitudes or hostility
- Handle uncertainty or ambiguity
- Tolerate religious differences
- Adapt to different gender roles and expectations
- Experience intolerance based on sexual orientation or towards domestic partnerships and cohabitation
- Speak the native language to some degree of proficiency or fluency
Some countries or projects require that the EL Fellow(s) is/are not:
- Insulin dependent (laws against self-inoculation; not available in country, etc.)
- Have any health concern that would impede fellowship duties
- Be accompanied by children, dependents, or pets
EL Fellows have full responsibility for obtaining their visas. Therefore EL Fellows must be willing to comply with local visa requirements which may include, but not be limited to:
- In-country physical examination
- Background security checks
- HIV tests
- Proof of marriage (if traveling with partner)
- Other applicable country specific requirements
Support While Abroad
The U.S. Department of State has systems in place so that English Language Fellows can effectively carry out their work. During the Pre-Departure Briefing in Washington, DC, Fellows receive a security briefing and regional-specific information from U.S. Embassy staff. Throughout the fellowship, Public Affairs Section (PAS) and Regional English Language Officers (RELOs) posted at U.S. Embassies provide on-the-ground support and supervision.
Before you apply, we encourage you to read some of the Highlights from the Field written by current Fellows. If you have any questions or concerns about the specific in-country conditions or specific project restrictions, please contact the English Language Fellow Program at 202-687-2608. Questions about requirements and eligibility for visas should be directed to the host country’s embassy.
