UM-Flint alum selected as Fulbright assistant, heading to Nepal in 2024

Even after graduating, one University of Michigan-Flint alum is doing her homework, but not in the typical sense. 

Jina Bhagat, a 2022 UM-Flint graduate with a bachelor's degree in English and a Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages certificate, is heading to Nepal in 2024 after being selected as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant. The Fulbright program, an academic and cultural exchange initiative sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is highly competitive and sought after by researchers, teachers and students. 

Bhagat is doing all she can to prepare for her upcoming trip, including learning about the country's political landscape, geography, cultural diversity, and language. Once she arrives, Bhagat will be instructing alongside Nepali teachers and providing a native English-speaking presence in the classroom.

Bhagat said she feels that the opportunity to teach abroad is important for multiple reasons, like increasing an individual's chances to obtain employment and provide for their families.

"There's no denying that learning English can open many doors for many people," she said.

Bhagat added that immersing herself in the classroom will also allow her to connect with students on a more personal level, and build lasting relationships not only with the hosts she'll be staying with, but with the entire community as well. 

"Connecting with people is important. Getting to know people and their stories is one of the most important things we can do for each other and ourselves," Bhagat said.

"I'm also looking forward to meeting the version of myself that I become in Nepal, and what the experience will teach me about life, the world and Nepali culture." 

While she's excited about the opportunity to teach abroad, Bhagat said being selected as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant wasn't totally part of her plans after graduating college.

"I began exploring my opportunities, and somehow I ended up in a virtual information session on what Fulbright was, which led me to submit an application at the last minute," Bhagat said. "Then a few months later, I got an email congratulating me for being a finalist."

Bhagat experienced mixed emotions after receiving the email. 

"I felt like hugging someone and jumping up and down like a kid," she said. "I had never expected it, so when I finally heard back I was shocked, happy and petrified all at once."

Experiences like working as an English learner facilitator for the Genesee Intermediate School District's English as a second/other language program has helped Bhagat prepare to teach abroad. She currently works with children in grades K-12 in surrounding school districts who don't use English as their first language at home and have immigrated to the United States. 

"My job is to help kids access the class content that the teacher covers," she said. "This experience is perfectly tailored to preparing me for what I'll be doing in Nepal."

Bhagat also worked in UM-Flint's Marian E. Wright Writing Center as an undergraduate, which helped sharpen her professional writing and speaking skills. 

"I know that I'll keep using these skills during my Fulbright experience as well as for the rest of my career," she said.

Writing Center staff also helped Bhagat craft the personal statements required for her application for the trip abroad.

Bhagat credited UM-Flint faculty members like associate professor of English Mary Jo Kietzman and linguistics professor Emily Feuerherm for providing support, guidance and helping her expand her worldviews. 

Bhagat said that Kietzman helped rekindle her passion for traveling and guided her through the Fulbright application process.

"If there was anyone who had any faith in my application from the start, it was her," said Bhagat. 

Feuerherm played a large role in helping her develop into a better citizen of the world. 

"Her classes exposed me to the different layers of the immigrant and language experience that I hadn't tapped into, even as an immigrant myself," said Bhagat. "I'm thankful for the skills I gained in her classes, they helped me stand out as a candidate in the application process."