The English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Programs place Fulbright recipients in classrooms abroad to provide assistance to local English teachers. ETAs help teach English language while serving as cultural ambassadors for the U.S. The age and academic level of the students vary by country, ranging from kindergarten to university level. Applicants for ETA Programs can apply to only one country.
Susquehanna University senior swimmer Erin Wetmore is one of two students from her school who have been chosen to participate in the 2020-2021 Fulbright program. Specifically, Wetmore has been chosen for the Fulbright U.S. English Teaching Assistant award.
Wetmore, along with classmate Brian Herrmann, is a German studies major, and she will work in Germany’s schools teaching American language and American studies.
As a senior, Wetmore finished 10th in the 200 fly, 16th in the 200 IM, and 17th in the 1650 free at the Landmark Conference Championships (NCAA D3). She is also a 6-time Dean’s List honoree.
Wetmore joins at least 3 other collegiate swimmers who have been chosen for this year’s program, along with Coast Guard’s Owen Gibson, Chicago’s Yidan Mao, and Brown’s Kelley Tackett.
Wetmore and Herrmann first met aboard a flight to Germany for a semester studying abroad there, and now they’ll both return to the country to teach English.
Wetmore is the only of the 4 swimmers who is participating in the English-teaching portion of the Fulbright program. Wetmore says that her ultimate goal is to teach German.
The Fulbright Program is a United States Cultural Exchange Program that, among other things, provides scholarships for about 2,000 American students annually to research, study, or teach annually for one academic year. The program was funded by the United States Congress after World War 2, using the sale of surplus war property to “fund the promotion of international good will through the exchange of students in the fields of education, culture, and science.” As part of the program, American students can travel to more than 140 countries worldwide.
Congratulations Erin! Well deserved award!