Marley Duerst is currently in her second year as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) scholar in Mexico. As an ETA, she supports English language learning in various institutions throughout the country as well as conducts a community-based project.
Last year, Marley was placed at a teacher training college in Tlaxcala, and this year at a public University in Guadalajara, Jalisco. As a second year grantee, she serves as a mentor for individuals in this year's cohort in addition to her teaching responsibilities and side project.
Marley’s community projects have focused on advancing sport and educational opportunities for youth, specifically young girls. She said the experience has shaped her in many ways and completely changed the way she sees the world.
“I have learned so much and highly enjoy my experience living and working in Mexico,” Marley said. “It is an extremely culturally and historically rich country which I have fallen in love with in so many ways. Spending so much time living really deeply in a culture and country that is not your own teaches you, humbles you and inspires you.”
To Marley, the Fulbright scholarship is special because Fulbright connects scholars with members of their community. She said in the past year living in Mexico, Marley has been able to meet many people who have shown her love and taught her life lessons.
“The emotional connection I have been able to make with friends I have met in Mexico, the students I teach, my coworkers at my University, as well as my fellow grantees has been beautiful and really fulfilling,” Marley said.
One piece of advice Marley would give to future RLL students is to not be afraid to be embarrassed, to be an outsider, or to ask for help. Recognizing that traveling and living in new places is not easy, she reminds students that new experiences help us grow.
“Pursue opportunities that will give you the chance to live a life full of non-materialistic richness and abundance,” Marley said. “You must leave your comfort zone, you must leave your hometown, you must see different ways of thinking and share with people different from yourself. But you must do all this intentionally, with goodness and curiosity in your heart rather than greed and privilege.”
Marley Duerst is currently in her second year as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) scholar in Mexico. As an ETA, she supports English language learning in various institutions throughout the country as well as conducts a community-based project.
Last year, Marley was placed at a teacher training college in Tlaxcala, and this year at a public University in Guadalajara, Jalisco. As a second year grantee, she serves as a mentor for individuals in this year's cohort in addition to her teaching responsibilities and side project.
Marley’s community projects have focused on advancing sport and educational opportunities for youth, specifically young girls. She said the experience has shaped her in many ways and completely changed the way she sees the world.
“I have learned so much and highly enjoy my experience living and working in Mexico,” Marley said. “It is an extremely culturally and historically rich country which I have fallen in love with in so many ways. Spending so much time living really deeply in a culture and country that is not your own teaches you, humbles you and inspires you.”
To Marley, the Fulbright scholarship is special because Fulbright connects scholars with members of their community. She said in the past year living in Mexico, Marley has been able to meet many people who have shown her love and taught her life lessons.
“The emotional connection I have been able to make with friends I have met in Mexico, the students I teach, my coworkers at my University, as well as my fellow grantees has been beautiful and really fulfilling,” Marley said.
One piece of advice Marley would give to future RLL students is to not be afraid to be embarrassed, to be an outsider, or to ask for help. Recognizing that traveling and living in new places is not easy, she reminds students that new experiences help us grow.
“Pursue opportunities that will give you the chance to live a life full of non-materialistic richness and abundance,” Marley said. “You must leave your comfort zone, you must leave your hometown, you must see different ways of thinking and share with people different from yourself. But you must do all this intentionally, with goodness and curiosity in your heart rather than greed and privilege.”
