Next Stop: India

This time a year ago, I had no idea I'd be writing this blog or making this website. What seemed like a dream has become reality thanks to the Fulbright: Teachers for Global Classrooms program. I applied to this program in February 2025 as a 29 year old with only a few years of inconsistent teaching experience thinking I might as well shoot for the stars. I was over the moon when I received my acceptance email at the end of July stating that I would be a part of an elite network of educators and world leaders. Enter: Imposter Syndrome.

I was ecstatic, yet nervous. How would I make sure all of my tasks were completed by the deadlines? How would I ensure that my full-time job and travel to Brazil in November didn't interfere with completing the online assignments throughout the Fall? Did they really mean to accept ME? How was I going to accomplish everything that was being asked of me?

It turns out, everyone else is also just a regular person like me (who knew?). The instructors in the course were extremely helpful and always clarified any assignments. I stayed up to date on my tasks and thoroughly enjoyed all the powerful discussions, readings, etc. throughout the course. Don't get me wrong, it was a rigorous ten weeks, but incredibly helpful and informative for my own teaching. It completely changed some of my perspectives and the way I teach my students. Peer review, feedback, versatile topics, synchronous webinars, and guest speakers all contributed to making the course one of the best professional developments I've ever been a part of.

So the course is done, now what? Well, now the fun begins. During February 5-7, I took the metro down the road into Washington, D.C. to Le Meridien Hotel where I participated in a Global Education Symposium with all 120some educators in the program. I thought the online course in the fall was helpful, but this experience was unlike anything else. From the very first reception where we were socializing and meeting alumni, instructors, and fellow educators, I knew I was in for a treat. Enter: The India Cohort.

It's funny when you meet people for the first time and you have that connection and, quite simply, just click. When people asked me about meeting my cohort in those few days in D.C., I told them "I think they put me with the coolest people ever." And I stand by that. Wow, I get to travel to India with these people? Oh, I was excited before, but now I can't wait. We were joking and conversing like it was a reunion, not an initial meetup. We are talking group chats, group t-shirts, and travel plans together. Instant friends might be the best kind.

The 19 of us will travel to India where we will stay in New Delhi for a few days, then split up to head to our host communities (no, we don't know where just yet!), then back to Delhi to share our experiences and what we've learned. We are heading to India on July 11 and ending our adventures on July 27. Yes, India in July (we are reportedly going to sweat in places we didn't know we could sweat)! The heat, the sweating, and the long travel are all just part of the journey though. A journey that I can't wait to begin. After all, the world is full of adventure, all you have to do is find it!