Kelly Reiling ’22
Hometown: Minneapolis, Minn.
Double Major in International Relations and Chinese
Campus Involvement: Experimental Theater Club, Keck Center for Language Study - Chinese Tutor and Student Coordinator
Fulbright ETA in Taitung, Taiwan, July 2022–July 2023
What did you do day to day during your Fulbright experience?
I was an English Teaching Assistant (ETA) at two schools, meaning I worked alongside two co-teachers to prepare, plan, and execute lesson plans for class each day. On an average day, I would co-teach four classes and was in charge of several aspects of class (e.g. practicing vocabulary, reciting dialogues, or teaching phonics). I also prepared online resources for the students including Kahoots, Quizlets, and online games. After school, I was a coach for one of my school’s soccer teams, so I also practiced with them three times a week and attended tournaments on the weekend. Once classes or soccer practice ended, I would grab dinner with my Fulbright or local friends and hangout until it was time for bed.
How did ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ prepare you for your Fulbright?
¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ prepared me for Fulbright in several ways, especially with my language proficiency and teaching experience. The Chinese department (shoutout Professor Crespi) helped develop my Chinese fluency and cultural appreciation so I felt confident speaking to my coworkers and members of the local community. The Keck Center was an amazing place to practice teaching languages to both ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ students and the local elementary school kids.
Do you have a favorite memory from your Fulbright experience?
I have so many, but if I had to choose, I think it would definitely be the weekends spent surfing with my best friend, Julia. We were lucky enough to live a mere 20 minutes from a beautiful, remote beach that had amazing waves year-round, as well as a surf lodge where we could rent boards. Every Sunday, we woke up early, scootered down to the beach, and surfed for a couple hours with some locals. Afterward, we would take naps on the beach or grab some lunch before heading home. I will always remember feeling so fulfilled and content on those Sundays, and I can't wait to go back and visit Taitung to surf there again.
What are you doing now?
I spent the last few months traveling, visiting friends and family, and readjusting to American culture. Now, I am applying for jobs that have a focus on China policy and can utilize my Chinese.
Do you have any advice for students considering applying to Fulbright?
If you loved studying abroad or didn’t have the chance to study abroad but wanted to, you should 100% apply to Fulbright. It is such a rewarding experience that you will certainly never regret or forget. Some advice I have when applying to Fulbright is to reach out to Fulbright alumni who lived in the country to which you’re applying. They can offer some great insights on where you should live, what you should do, and what details you should include on your application.