Sophie Prado-Tucker '25 was awarded an English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) through Fulbright to teach in Taiwan.
Why did you choose to apply for this award?
Working with students has been one of the defining experiences that I've had at Oxy, and I knew that I wanted to continue teaching after graduation. The Fulbright ETA program will allow me to cultivate a new skillset while building on the foundational teaching skills that I have developed at Oxy. I chose Taiwan, in particular, because I am fascinated by the history of the region and desire to begin learning Mandarin while I am there.
Briefly describe the work you will be doing on your fellowship.
I will be spending 11 months in Taiwan teaching English alongside a local Taiwanese English teacher.
What are you most looking forward to during your time as a fellow?
I am most excited to meet my students, co-teacher, and fellow grantees. I cannot wait to learn about Taiwanese culture while teaching my students about the diversity of American culture, both within and beyond the 50 states. My mother is from Puerto Rico, and I am especially passionate about sharing this aspect of my heritage with my students!
How have your experiences at Oxy prepared you to apply for this award?
My first experience teaching at Oxy was through an Oxy Arts course, where I learned how to craft a syllabus and lesson plans for an elementary school art class. My sophomore year, through the same program, I taught an art class at Toland Way Elementary, through which I learned better classroom management and cultivated a desire to engage with students further. I am especially indebted to the Writing Center and Art & Art History Department for allowing me to work as a writing advisor and peer tutor, respectively. In these positions, I was able to get to know my students on a one-on-one basis and help them with their writing, which in turn cemented my passion for teaching. Professor Wakamatsu from the Art & Art History Department was exceptionally encouraging and supportive of my application, and I am so grateful for her mentorship throughout this process. The fellowship office was also an invaluable source in preparing my application.
What advice would you give future applicants about the application process?
Writing about yourself can be difficult and awkward at times. I felt very stuck throughout the beginning of the application process, not knowing what to write, and I found it helpful to start with bullet points or a rough outline before jumping into the writing process. It was also helpful to purposefully write in very simple prose at first before refining my work to sound more professional. Finally, get multiple eyes on your writing! Get advice from the fellowships office and ask professors you know well to look over your work. Good Luck!!