Lithuania
3 English Teaching Assistant Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodFall StartGrant Length10 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
Teaching assistant activities may include, but are not limited to:
- Serving as a resource person in the classroom and in conversation groups
- Providing small group tutorials
- Assisting students with reading and written English
- Giving presentations related to American studies in English classes and to school/civic organizations
Grant Length
Grant Period
The grant length is approximately 10 months, from late August to mid-to-late June.
The typical academic year lasts from September 1 through mid-June. The Fall semester begins in September and ends in December, while Spring semester begins in January and ends in June.
Orientation
As a condition of their grant, all grantees are required to attend a virtual pre-departure orientation in June or July and an in-country orientation in September. The virtual pre-departure orientation is organized by IIE.
U.S. Students are required to attend an in-country orientation, which typically takes place between the end of September and early October.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate is self-driven, with a demonstrated commitment to community service and to promoting international understanding and cooperation. Candidates must be fluent in English. Candidates who possess a bachelor's degree in the humanities or social sciences will be preferred, although anyone with experience in mentoring, teaching, or working with youth will be strongly considered.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Applicants are expected to research their host country. Application materials should indicate a clear commitment to the host country community and a description of how you will engage with it.
The largest and southernmost of the three Baltic States, Lithuania offers a blend of old-world charm and modern convenience. It is a member of the European Union and a NATO ally. Because of the United States' large Lithuanian diaspora, many Lithuanians have ties to the United States or experience living and working there. As a nation with a deep history, Lithuania boasts picturesque medieval towns, a vibrant cultural and intellectual scene, and strong national pride. The capital, Vilnius, is known for its stunning baroque architecture and thriving tech sector. While winters can be cold and dark, summers are lively, with long daylight hours and many outdoor festivals. Lithuanians value education, tradition, and community, and while English is widely spoken among younger generations, Lithuanian remains central to daily life. The cost of living is lower than in most of the United States, but high-quality healthcare, infrastructure, and a growing economy make Lithuania a comfortable and dynamic place to live.
The locals are naturally quiet, which is sometimes mistaken for an unwelcoming attitude. It takes time to understand Lithuanians and become friends with them. But once you get to know Lithuanians, you will see that they are friendly, warm, and kind people!
Lithuania has an extensive public transportation system. It is relatively cheap, reliable, and safe. It includes buses and trains. Each Lithuanian city has a single bus station where most buses leave from. Buses between the main cities are very frequent, with Vilnius-Kaunas buses leaving each terminal station every 30 minutes. Bus routes connecting the main cities to regional towns run usually at least two to three times a day.
Lithuania is a safe country with little anti-American sentiment. However, visitors should take standard precautions, as in any other country. It is important to note that while the law prohibits discrimination against ethnic or national minorities, persons with disabilities, or discrimination based on sexual orientation, intolerance and societal discrimination persist. For more information on safety in Lithuania, we recommend you consult the Lithuania 2023 Human Rights Report.
Eligibility
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) Form
If required, submission of the Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is mandatory, even if you have advanced skills or are a native speaker of the language. Failure to submit the required FLE form may impact your eligibility.
Lithuanian-language proficiency is not required, but some language study prior to arrival is encouraged to promote deeper engagement with the host community. There is a possibility that ETAs will be provided with a stipend to study the local language while in-country.
Placement Type
- Middle School
- Secondary School
English Teaching Assistants will be placed in regional schools, not in large cities. Applicants may indicate a host institution preference, but the U.S. Embassy in Lithuania will seek the most appropriate placements.
Grantees will assist an experienced English-language instructor and will serve as a resource for conversation, vocabulary, and reading and writing courses. Grantee hours in the classroom will not exceed 25 hours per week. The rest of the grantee's time is dedicated to preparation for their teaching assistant activities, their supplementary project, and their extracurricular activities. Host institution and grantee roles and responsibilities will be discussed at the Embassy-led in-country orientation. ETAs are required to write monthly reports to the Embassy.
Placement Locations
- Regional City
- Rural
ETAs will be placed in small towns around Lithuania and not in larger cities/hubs.
In recent years, ETAs have been placed at the following schools:
- Moletai Gymnasium
- Naujoji Akmene Ramuciai Gymnasium
- Jurbarkas Antanas Giedraitis-Giedrys Gymnasium
- Zarasai Vocational School
- Marijampole Marijonu Gymnasium
- Šilutė Pirmoji Gymnasium
- Šalčininkai Lietuvos Tūkstantmečio g.
- Panevėžys Minties Gymnasium
- Klaipėda Aitvaro Gymnasium
- Tauragė Tarailiai Progymnasium
- Skuodas Pranciškus Žadeikis Gymnasium
- Alytus Adolfas Ramanauskas Vanagas Gymnasium
- Kupiškis Povilas Matulionis Progymnasium
- Mažeikiai Merkelis Račkauskas Gymnasium
- Visginas Žiburys High School
- Vilkaviškis Aušos Gymnasium
- Plungė Saulės Gymnasium
- Vilkaviškis Aušos Gymnasium
- Anykščiai Jono Biliūno Gymnasium
- Radviliškis Lizdeika Gymnasium
Award Benefits
- A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
- International travel benefits
- Accident & sickness health benefits
- 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
- 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
- English language teaching preparatory course
Stipend Amount
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
One-Time Allowances
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
- Language training allowance
- Research/Materials allowance
- Settling in allowance
The total funds allotted for one-time allowances may cover: round-trip international airfare, settling in expenses, classroom/teaching materials, and language training.
Additional Grant Benefits
- Diplomatic pouch
Supplementary Project
The ETA program in Lithuania requires each ETA to complete a supplementary project. This can be community service/engagement or research, though applications that outline plans for a strong community service/engagement component in their host communities are preferred. Projects can include preparing and organizing American culture-related activities such as: movie nights and holiday celebrations; starting and running clubs, e.g. English-language clubs, debate clubs, journalism clubs; coaching and/or mentoring; educational advising and outreach, etc. Creative ideas based on a candidate's background and that address issues of significance to contemporary U.S. and Lithuania national security priorities are welcome!
ETAs will also be expected to participate in Embassy outreach activities, such as by giving talks, volunteering at the Embassy's public events, and otherwise engaging with the host community, in addition to their primary activities.
Applicants should include a brief description of their supplementary project in their Statement of Grant Purpose.
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
Groceries cost approximately the same throughout the country, but apartment rent costs less in smaller towns. Internet access is available everywhere. Students can use the following website to research the estimated cost of living in various parts of Lithuania: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Lithuania
Dependents
Grantees with dependent children should not expect to find schools with English instruction in the placement regions.
Housing Arrangements
The ETA's host school will help find suitable housing. ETAs are required to live in their placement location; exceptions for health and/or security reasons, or due to a shortage of housing, will be made on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the Embassy.
Visa Requirements
Fulbright grantees must apply for and receive a National D visa before departure to Lithuania.
Follow the instructions here to apply for a National D-type visa. You will need to fill out the electronic application form and schedule an appointment as soon as possible at the nearest VFS application center. All applications will then be forwarded to the Lithuanian Consulate in Chicago. All grantees must work with their host institution to receive an invitational letter, which will be uploaded as a mediation letter in the electronic visa system.
If grantees are unable to receive their visas prior to traveling to Lithuania, they may apply for a visa in the United States and receive their visa in Lithuania.
Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Additional Online Resources
Lithuania - The World Factbook: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/lithuania/#people-and-society
Lithuania - Crime and Safety Report: https://www.osac.gov/Country/Lithuania/Content/Detail/Report/edad6326-611b-4e67-8733-189417c3424f