Like many people, Vanda Simpson applied to the English Language Fellow Program at the suggestion of colleagues. After teaching in Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and Guam for over four years, in addition to teaching K-12 in Florida and Texas for over 10 years, Simpson was eager to continue her professional development in an international setting. All of her previous experience, earned in a variety of contexts, had taught Simpson to manage uncertainty, and she was ready to tackle the challenges of being a Fellow.
Selected for a position in Kyrgyzstan, Simpson felt that her placement was a direct complement to her most recent full-time experience in program development and teacher training. In addition, she enjoyed the unique experience of becoming a local celebrity, and climbed the famous Suleiman Mountain in Kyrgyzstan to capture the beautiful views of the city below, Osh. Looking ahead, Simpson expects her Fellowship experiences to enhance the value she brings to future teacher training and program development positions.