Milton Resident Teaching English Abroad as Fulbright Scholar

Salem State University graduate student Emily Whipple, of Milton, has received a Fulbright U.S. Student Program award for an English Teaching Assistantship from the U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. Whipple will be teaching English in Kanchipuram, India for the 2018-2019 academic year.

“While knowledge of the English language is a widespread tool for social mobility, that comes with its own complications because it was the language of colonizers. I wanted to teach in a place where I could not only make a positive impact, but where I could also learn from my students and the culture around me and observe the complex ways in which the English language is seen and used,” Whipple said.

Completing her master’s degree in English at Salem State, Whipple always wanted to teach English abroad and chose the Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship. Following the submission of two essays and an application, Whipple was notified of her award in March.

“I look forward to engaging with my students and finding ways of building meaningful relationships with them,” Whipple said. “I am eager to learn from them as well.”

Since 2012, three Salem State students have been earned Fulbright student awards, part of the student Fulbright program led by Michele Louro, associate professor of history and faculty fellow in the Center for Research and Creative Activities at Salem State University. Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected on the basis of academic and professional achievement as well as record of service and leadership potential in their respective fields. Salem State was named a top producer of Fulbright Scholars in 2011 and 2017 for the work of our faculty.