Teaching and Learning Abroad

For Lizbeth Shine (second from left), teaching Hindi to students at the University of Michigan revealed many unique aspects of the Indian culture embedded in language. (Photograph courtesy Lizbeth Shine)

In 2021-22, I was one of 13 participants from India selected for the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Program in the United States. For nine months, I was a Hindi language teaching assistant at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Recently, I also completed a doctorate in English from Mangalore University, focusing my thesis on “Transitions and Transformation in Selected Short Stories from Northeast India.”

I first learned about the Fulbright FLTA Program while working as a research scholar and guest lecturer at Mangalore University. Initially, I hesitated to apply, assuming I might need a degree in Hindi or advanced language skills. However, the program accepts applicants at varying levels of Hindi proficiency and only requires enough knowledge to teach beginners. With this encouragement, my initial apprehension turned into excitement as I dived into the application process.

The application involved questions that prompted me to reflect on how my personal story connects to my cultural identity. As cultural ambassadors, we’re encouraged to bring our unique perspectives to the program. The selection process also includes an interview, a language proficiency test, the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), and, finally, the matching of each participant with a U.S. host university or college.

Teaching Hindi and exploring culture

Teaching Hindi to students at the University of Michigan revealed many unique aspects of our culture embedded in language. For example, it was fascinating to explain to students how the Hindi pronoun “you” has different forms, each conveying a specific level of respect depending on the relationship. These kinds of details offered students insight into cultural nuances, and they also led me to question and reconsider my own perspectives.

Weekly language tables, cultural clubs and special events allowed students to practice Hindi while immersing themselves in aspects of Indian culture. As part of the program, I also attended two classes per semester, one in my area of research and another on American society.

A rich cultural exchange

At the University of Michigan, I was fortunate to live at the International House Ann Arbor, where scholars from all over the world gathered. Every weekend, residents cooked and shared dishes from their home countries, especially during festivals like Hanukkah, the Chinese New Year and Diwali. We explored the neighborhood through field trips, nature walks and ice skating, experiencing American life and multiculturalism up close. This firsthand exposure broadened my understanding of inclusivity and belonging.

The experience as a Fulbright Fellow in the United States brought fresh, inclusive perspectives into my life and my teaching. It has been an invaluable journey that I’ll carry forward in both personal and professional realms.

Lizbeth Shine holds a Ph.D. in English from Mangalore University.

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