Frequently Asked Questions

       
Eligibility
            Do Fellows have to be U.S. citizens?
            Can I have dual citizenship?
            What if I do not currently reside in the U.S.?
            Do Fellows have to have a Master’s degree in TEFL/TESL? 
            I have been an EL Fellow before, can I re-apply to the Program?
            I will not receive my degree by June 1 or the end of my institution's spring
            semester, can I still apply?  
            If selected, can I defer my acceptance?
            Why is it necessary that Fellows be flexible and adaptable?

Application
            My institution doesn't provide electronic transcripts, how do I upload my
            transcript?
            I haven't graduated from my Master's program yet, do I still have to submit
            my graduate transcript?     
            Do I need to submit all of my transcripts?
            How will my references be contacted?
            When will my references be contacted?
            Can I use letters of reference from another job?

Selection
            Can Fellows choose a specific country or region?
            When will projects for AY 2009-2010 be available?
            How does the selection process work?
            I have submitted my application. What are the next steps?
            Will I be placed on multiple rosters?

Benefits
            Are Fellows paid?
            Do Fellows receive insurance?
            Do Fellows pay taxes?
            
Preparations for Fellowship
            Is a medical examination required?
            What vaccinations do Fellows need?
            Do Fellows need a visa?
            How are travel arrangements handled?
            What support is provided in country?

Security Concerns
           How are security issues addressed?

How long is the EL Fellow Program fellowship?
Fellowships are 10 months typically beginning the first week of September and continuing through June. Some assignments begin earlier or later depending on the needs of the project. In countries with a Southern Hemisphere academic cycle, the assignments may be from February through November.

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Are short term projects available?
All Fellowships are 10 months. Projects beginning in the spring semester are also 10 month assignments. It is highly unlikely that the EL Fellow Program will offer short term projects. The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Office of English Language Programs offers short term opportunities through the English Language Specialists Program. For more information, please visit their website.

Office of English Language Programs: English Language Specialists

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Is it possible to extend a fellowship?
It is possible to renew a fellowship, but it does not happen automatically.  Renewal inquiries should be made directly to the U.S. Embassy and not to Georgetown University.  A Fellow in good standing may be awarded a second grant in the country to which he or she is assigned, if the State Department agrees to extend the Fellow’s assignment for a second year at the same site so that the Fellow may continue or complete work on a particular project.  Under normal circumstances, an individual may serve as a Fellow for only two consecutive grant periods.  For more information on renewing or returning to the English Language Fellow Program, please review the current Renewal and Returning Fellow Policy. 

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Can dependents go with the Fellow?
Spouses and/or dependents may accompany Fellows for all or part of the fellowship period (10 months or less); however, the Living Allowance (which varies from country to country) is designed to cover the cost of reasonable, safe, and comfortable housing, food, utilities, and transportation to and from work for only one person. A spouse or dependent is the sole responsibility of the Fellow. The EL Fellow Program does not offer any logistical support or employment opportunities for spouses or dependents. Senior Fellows may request a dependent's allowance of $5,000 for accompanying spouses or dependents.

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Can I bring a pet with me during my fellowship?
The EL Fellow Program does not encourage traveling with pets.  Securing transportation and housing for animals abroad is very difficult.  It is the responsibility of the applicant to verify which countries prohibit the entry of foreign animals.  Furthermore, if a Fellow decides to travel with a pet, Georgetown is not responsible for arranging transportation of pets nor accommodating specific times and routing for this purpose.  Posts are not responsible for locating housing acceptable for or amenable to pets.  If a Fellow finds either transportation or housing arrangements unsatisfactory, s/he can find suitable arrangements at his or her own expense.

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What are the living conditions like during my fellowship?

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
• Endure isolation, lack of communication with outside (poor internet / telephone / mail)
• 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

For more examples, please click here.

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Do Fellows have to be U.S. citizens?
Yes.  All Fellows must be U.S. citizens.  The English Language Fellow Program is a federally-funded Program designed to not only improve English teaching capability around the world, but to also serve as an exchange opportunity, contributing to mutual understanding between the people of the United States and people abroad.  Non-U.S. citizens will NOT be considered.

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Can I have dual citizenship?
Yes.  You may have dual citizenship as long as the United States is one of the countries of citizenship.  Priority consideration is given to U.S. citizens that have lived and/or worked in the U.S. within the last five years.

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What if I currently live abroad?
The English Language Fellow Program is an exchange opportunity encouraging U.S. citizens to foster mutual understanding between the people of the United States and people abroad.  Preference is given to applicants whose country of residence is the United States.  If an applicant has lived abroad for five consecutive years or more, he or she must demonstrate that they have maintained a strong connection to the United States.

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Do Fellows have to have a Master’s degree in TEFL/TESL?
All Fellows are required to have a Master’s degree (or higher) with a focus in Teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language (TEFL or TESL). In some instances, Fellows who have a Master’s degree in another discipline may be accepted when a specific project requires that particular specialization, e.g. journalism, law, English or American literature. All Fellows must have a Master's degree.

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I have been an EL Fellow before, can I re-apply?
Former EL Fellows who have successfully completed a fellowship program may submit an application (if applicable, re-apply updating previous online application) to participate in the program again. However, since the EL Fellow Program is an exchange program, the desire is to have as many U.S. educators as possible participate; therefore, first preference is given to applicants who have not yet participated in the Program. Consequently, it is likely that a returning Fellow will be considered for any remaining hard-to-fill assignment and/or special projects. To be considered for a grant as a returning EL Fellow, in addition to re-applying, the Fellow is required to provide a written recommendation from the PAS/RELO overseeing the Fellow’s most recent fellowship.

Furthermore, it is important to note that returning EL Fellows will NOT be automatically considered for Senior EL Fellow projects, even if the Fellow was a Senior EL Fellow in the past. A participant’s having been a Senior EL Fellow indicates that the project was defined as a Senior project. A Senior project is not necessarily based on the qualifications or experience of the Fellow, but on the intricacies of the project itself, which include not only duties, but also location, audience, and priority.

Former Senior Fellows also have an option to become English Language Specialists. More information about the Specialist position can be obtained at: http://exchanges.state.gov/education/engteaching/specialists.htm

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I will not receive my degree by June 1, can I still apply?
If you will not have your degree conferred by the end of your institution's spring semester, it is likely that Georgetown will not be able to consider your application. Under some circumstances, we may make an exception depending upon the start date of a particular project. Please note that applicants who do not have their degree by the time of departure will not be able to participate in the EL Fellow Program. Acceptance cannot be deferred to the following year.

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If selected, can I defer my acceptance?
Acceptance cannot be deferred. If you are selected for a project, you will not be able to defer that selection because you would be matched to a particular project and the project for which you would be selected may not exist in the future.

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Why is it necessary that Fellows be flexible and adaptable?
Fellows are successful when they are able to adjust to a different culture and level of material comfort as well as ever-changing social and political climates.  They are also able to deal with administrative processes that may cause a delay in obtaining necessary clearances and approvals leading up to and during their fellowship.

Most importantly, project descriptions that are available during the selection period are subject to change and may differ from the current needs of the institution once the Fellow arrives in the fall or following spring.  Some Fellows find that some duties presented in the description are not attainable within a ten-month period. Most Fellows find it helpful to assess the needs of the institution upon arrival and determine which are the most important and feasible tasks given local interest and resources.

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My institution doesn't provide electronic transcripts, how do I upload my transcript?
Applicants can scan a copy of their paper transcript in PDF format and upload it to the online application.

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I haven't graduated from my Master's program yet, do I still need to submit my graduate transcript?
We will accept a scan of your current transcript, but will request an updated transcript after you have completed all requirements to graduate. All selected Fellows receiving their degree after the application deadline will need to provide evidence of degree conferral before departing for fellowship.

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Do I need to submit all of my transcripts?
Applicants should submit their most relevant graduate transcripts. If your Bachelor's degree or certificate is in TESL or Applied Linguistics, you may submit an undergraduate transcript as well.

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How will my references be contacted?
Once you submit your online application, an email is sent to your references to request a letter of recommendation. Applicants are able to return to the online application to verify that a letterof recommendation was submitted.

If your reference has not received a request, you may re-send the notification.

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When will my references be contacted?
Once you submit your online application, an email is sent to your references to request a letter of recommendation. Applicants are able to return to the online application to verify that a letter of recommendation was submitted.

If your reference has not received a request, you may re-send the notification.

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Can I use letters of reference from another job?
The EL Fellow Program sends requests for reference to individuals that should be able to speak about your qualifications to succeed in the Program. We ask specific questions that may not be addressed in references from another job.

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Can Fellows choose a specific country or region?
During the online application process you will have the opportunity to indicate a preference to work in a specific region. You may do so by indicating your preference on the online application, in the Personal Statement, and during the interview. It is preferred that applicants interested in working in the Western Hemisphere be fluent in Spanish. You may also indicate that you are willing to be considered for any region in the world. The more flexibility you indicate in terms of where you are willing to serve, the greater your chances of being selected as a finalist candidate. Conversely, restricting your regional preference to only one country or one region will limit your chances. However, if you are only interested in going to one particular country, please be clear and upfront about your preference.

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When will projects for AY 2009-2010 be available?
AY 2009-2010 projects will be available in March 2009. In the meantime, descriptions of previous projects (from AY 2006-2007, AY 2007-2008, or AY 2008-2009) may be found at:

AY 2006-2007 Projects

AY 2007-2008 Projects

AY 2008-2009 Projects

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How does the selection process work?
Georgetown draws upon the pool of qualified applicants to identify finalist candidates for specific U.S. Embassy sponsored projects. Georgetown recommends finalist candidates for EL Fellow projects to the Office of English Language Programs and to the appropriate U.S. Embassy. The U.S. Embassy receives a roster of candidates that is compiled based on the needs of the specific project, the applicant’s skills and experience, and the applicant’s Regional Preferences.

The process of vetting candidates is conducted by the U.S. Department of State, and will be completed by June. The Georgetown Program Management team will notify the successful candidates. Selected candidates have two business days from the time they are notified to accept or decline the fellowship.

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I have submitted my application. What are the next steps?
Georgetown University and one of the Regional Recruitment Centers will review your application, verify employment history, and schedule interviews for eligible applicants.  After you have interviewed, reviewers will pair you with projects that match your background and professional experience.  Georgetown will contact you to verify your interest in participating in one or more projects.  We will then send a roster of portfolios to the U.S. embassy or consulate (post) for review and selection.  Georgetown will contact you with the selection results.  If you are not selected for a project, you may be placed on another roster for consideration for a different project.

Interviews (November – May)
Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis as applications are submitted.

Pairing applicants to projects (March – May)
The deadline for priority consideration for the AY 2009-2010 is March 31, 2009.  Only interviewed applicants with complete portfolios, including letters of recommendation, will be considered for a fellowship

Selection of Fellows (April – June)
Beginning in March, Georgetown will identify finalist candidates for specific U.S. Embassy-sponsored EL Fellow project rosters. Posts will determine which candidate would be the best fit from the roster.  Once Georgetown receives the selection, we will notify the selected Fellow. The candidate then has two business days to decide to accept or decline the offer.

The selection process will continue until all projects are filled. The majority of selections will be made between April and mid-June, though some candidates will be selected in the summer, particularly for those projects starting in the 2010 spring semester.

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Will I be placed on multiple rosters?
It is possible that an applicant will be considered for multiple projects based on his or her skills and experience; however, candidates will only be placed on one roster at a time.

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Are Fellows paid?
A generous stipend is deposited directly to the Fellow’s U.S. checking account in U.S. currency. For the academic year 2009-2010, Fellows receive $25,000 and Senior Fellows receive $35,000 as well as a living allowance and other Benefits. During the Pre-Departure Briefing, Fellows receive a pre-departure allowance.

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Do Fellows get insurance?
Fellows receive basic health benefit plan with coverage up to $50,000 per illness/injury for the duration of the fellowship (September through June). Pre-existing conditions are not covered. For more information about the health benefit plan (Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges-ASPE), please download the ASPE brochure.

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Do Fellows pay taxes?
Fellows are required to complete and submit to Georgetown a W-9 form prior to the Pre-Departure Briefing Orientation. The Georgetown Program Management team will send each Fellow a 1099 form that reports all funds paid to the Fellow through the EL Fellow Program with the exception of the Educational Materials and Program Activities Allowances). Fellows are advised to keep their receipts for tax purposes.

Georgetown does not provide tax advice or instruction. Fellows are encouraged to contact the IRS or a tax professional with specific tax questions.

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Is a medical examination required?
Fellows are required to complete a Health Verification Form and must submit it to Georgetown 4-6 weeks prior to departure so that a medical clearance can be processed. All Fellows must have a medical clearance before departing the U.S.

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What vaccinations do Fellows need?
Prior to departure, all Fellows should contact a travel clinic, the U.S. Embassy of their country of placement or the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website for health information for specific destinations and vaccination recommendations for travelers of all ages. The Georgetown Program Management team does not provide vaccination recommendations.

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Do Fellows need a visa?
Yes. All Fellows are responsible for making their own visa arrangements prior to departure. U.S. Embassy staff in the Fellow's country of assignment will be of assistance, but the responsibility lies with the Fellow.

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How are travel arrangements handled?
The Georgetown Program Management team will arrange and pay for an economy class roundtrip transportation from your U.S. residence to the host country.

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What support is provided in country?
The U.S. Department of State has systems in place so that English Language Fellows can effectively carry out their work. When Fellows first arrive in their country, they will participate in a post-arrival orientation, meet with the Regional Security Officer, and receive other logistical support.

Throughout the fellowship, Public Affairs Section (PAS) and Regional English Language Officers (RELOs) posted at U.S. Embassies provide on-the-ground support and guidance. U.S. Embassy staff, to the extent possible, will help Fellows arrange for housing and navigate program/cultural logistics in country. 

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How are security issues addressed?
Upon arrival at the post, Fellows will have a security briefing with the Regional Security Officer (RSO) at post and have an opportunity to register at the American Citizens Service in the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy. Fellows should report any security concern to the Public Affairs Officer, Cultural Affairs Officer, or Regional English Language Officer.

More information can be found in the EL Fellow Handbook available on our website.

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“Learning is not attained by chance. It must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.”
-Abigail Adams

If you are qualified to be a Fellow and want to live abroad, gain valuable professional experience, and help foster mutual understanding and peaceful world community, we encourage you to apply to the English Language Fellow Program.