Dear professor,

 

I am happy to let you know that we are still accepting applications for the US Teaching Assistantship (USTA) program managed by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF), administered by Fulbright Austria in the upcoming program year 2023/24 until 22 January 2023!

 

US Teaching Assistantship program by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF), administered by Fulbright Austria

 

Fulbright Austria administers the US Teaching Assistantship program on behalf of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF). Since 1962, the US English Language Teaching Assistantship program in Austria has provided US college and university graduates with a completed bachelor’s degree (by summer 2023 for the upcoming program year), US citizenship (or dual US/x citizenship), and a required German proficiency level of at least B1/Intermediate mid by the time of application with opportunities to work as teaching assistants at secondary schools throughout Austria. US teaching assistants not only enhance the instruction of English as native speakers; they are also important resources for first-hand information about the United States and the "American way of life". 

 

The program will start on 1 October 2023 and run through 31 May 2024 (decisions to finalists will be sent in spring 2023), the timeline differs since this program is separate from the Fulbright grant family – it is an independent program managed and financed by the Austrian government. Even students who might have applied to a Fulbright program already, are able to submit their application due to the different program administration if they are interested in our program as well.

 

You can find in-depth information on the program here and a roadmap to the application here. Information on possible school types is listed here. This program is NOT a “traditional” fellowship or ETA program but a job placement with usually one to two Austrian schools for 13 hours per week. Teaching experience is not required but can be beneficial.

 

We would ask you to please inform your intermediate and advanced students about this opportunity! You can find more information about the program, including how to apply, on our website. Please note that students are cordially invited to apply online via the USTA application website and to check frequently if any updates are posted.

 

Please find two informative flyers about the 2023–24 program behind the links below and as document attachments—one for professors, and one designed with students in mind, which can be posted or distributed to interested students, either electronically or in paper copy. The two leaflets (PDF) are also available for download here:

 

For students

For professors

 

The following benefits are part of our program:

1. Our program participants don’t receive a monthly stipend/grant but earn a regular monthly salary of roughly 1,300 euro net (or $ 1,500 net, gross: 1,600 Euro; numbers of 2022/23) since they are employees of their respective provincial Austrian school board from October to May. The amount is the same for all placements and not limited to cities.
2. TAs would be fully insured with an Austrian health insurance provider during their stay (October–May) and with limited coverage additionally within a six-weeks grace period after that until July.
3. Schools are located in all nine Austrian provinces in bigger cities, smaller towns, and rural areas. Please be aware that placements in Vienna, Innsbruck, and the city of Salzburg are limited and we highly encourage all first-year applicants to have a second different preferential province/city chosen by the time of application.
4. Another fact on schools: we are very proud to be allotted all kinds of different schools from our partners – from regular Gymnasium to business-centered schools to hospitality/tourism schools to pre-school teacher training schools or even agriculture-centered schools – there’s something for everyone! Applicants can let us know in their applications what their preference would be if they have any or choose “no preference”. Their Austrian students are usually between 15 to 18 years old (sometimes 11-18 yrs; sometimes a little older).
5. If accepted TAs should like their experience on the program, and have shown superior performance in the classroom, they can also re-apply for a second year on the program.
6. Through living and working in Austria with Austrians, participants are immersed in Austrian culture and can experience Austria first-hand on their own.
7. Opportunities to mingle with other TAs in their province and with the wider Fulbright Austria community are offered throughout the year.

 

Applicants will upload the following documents (PDF format) to their profile after registering and entering their information online – information on each item mentioned below can be found on our website in the dedicated section Application sections and materials:

 

• Curriculum vitae
• (Recent) proof of German proficiency (at least B1/ Intermediate mid by the time of application, certificate should not be older than two years by the time of application)
• Current or final transcript
• Personal statement (should not exceed 1,000 words)
• Two letters of recommendation from professors or employers
• Applicants are asked to enter contact information of their recommenders into the system – when they click on “invite”, an automatic email will be triggered. This email will contain a link to a rating chart for you to complete and upload a letter of recommendation.
• Signed application form (your applicant will be able to download and print after having completed all steps, sign it, and upload as a final step before submitting)
• Optional (new for applicants as of PY 2023/24): Proof of teaching certificates (CELTA etc.) if your student has obtained one. If they are in the process of acquiring a certificate and will have obtained it by summer 2023, they should mention it in their application!

 

If you or your students have any questions on the program and the online application process, please do not hesitate to contact me (as responsible program officer) by email. I am also available for individual Zoom sessions to answer questions, help with sorting out issues, or concerns if need be.

Thank you!

 

Kind regards and Servus from Vienna,

Katharina Hütthaler

 

 

Katharina Hütthaler, MA

 

USTA Program Officer

EducationUSA Educational Adviser

Tel: +43-1-236 7878 - 11

Email: khuetthaler@fulbright.at

 

#fulbrightaustria #fullofbrightminds