Last Month Abroad101 partnered with the TEFL Institute to give away $10,000 in Teach Certification scholarships! Contestants had to explain in an essay why they desired to teach English abroad, and then share their entries with their networks to garner support and evangelize their cause. We saw some amazing applicants, including undergrads studying Engineering, high school educators, bi-lingual volunteers, and even a cross-country cyclist!
However, the following are those who came out on top. The globally-minded individuals who beautifully articulated what a TEFL certification would mean to them, and who enthusiastically and effectively leveraged social platforms to raise awareness and support.
Without further ado, here are the TEFL Institute’s 10 scholarship winners!
Grand Prize Winners won a full TEFL certification scholarship valued at $1,500.
1. Erin Scott told us that, “through teaching abroad I hope to create an environment of international education and “pay forward” what opportunities I have been given in my life.”
2. Grace Olguin was inspired by her semester abroad in Tanzania, and teaching English will allow her to inspire others, while “continuing to appreciate the value of global comm(unity).”
3. Elaina Montagnino finds joy in bringing distinct cultures together, and with a TEFL certificate she aspires to help her students “fulfill their life goals.”
First Prize Winners won a partial TEFL certification scholarship valued at $1,000.
1. Aisha Khan has a mission in life to help people and aptly states, “if we can communicate easily with each other, then we can share ideas and knowledge, and the possibilities are limitless.”
2. Rachael Kacos has worked in multicultural classrooms before- she believes “that language and culture are intertwined, and knowledge of a second language is a highly important criteria for many in our world today.”
3. Kathryn Chovanes boldly reminds us that native English speakers are privileged by birth. “What separates a peer in Thailand who desires to go to college- but instead sells bracelets for a living- and me? Nothing. Except where we were born, which neither of us determined.”
4. Megan Bair is frank and insightful. Determined to let nothing stand in her way, she advises that “teaching is a field in which you never stop learning; teachers teach, and students always reciprocate…”
Second Prize Winners won a partial TEFL certification scholarship valued at $500.
1. Josh Matthews opens with a wonderful line: “The difference between dreams that have fallen to the wayside and dreams that have changed the world is how well they have been affirmed.” English teachers can affirm dreams. English teachers can change the world.
2. Maren Peterson is well traveled and well versed in cross-cultural communication. As such, she knows that “teaching English abroad will help me continue to connect with and support people from across the globe.”
3. Tannyr Farley admits she is “truly grateful for the great teachers I’ve had so far in my life,” and feels that a TEFL certificate will “give me the opportunity to interact with different cultures in a way that would benefit others.”
Congratulations to all of our TEFL Institute scholarship winners- we can’t wait to see what you do in the world!
Ryan Ashbaugh took part in a 4-week summer program, not unlike the ones covered under the 100,000 Strong Initiative, during his last year as an undergraduate student with an exchange program called INTO China. People often ask him what he thought of China and his response is simple: he plans on going back… Should you choose to give China a chance you might find yourself saying the same thing.
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