Three Southwestern students have been awarded Fulbright English Teaching Assistantships in Germany for the 2010-11 academic year.

Emily Gutzmer is graduating from Southwestern in May with a double major in international studies and German.

Tanlyn Roelofs graduated from Southwestern in December with a major in Anthropology and a minor in German.

Zach Zeman is graduating from Southwestern in May with a double major in Music Education and German.

The Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship program is one of several academic exchange programs administered by the U.S. Department of State. The application process begins in the fall when prospective candidates are interviewed by faculty members on their campus, who then rank and recommend students to the Fulbright Commission. The commission reviews the applications and selects a number of candidates to recommend to partner countries, who then screen the applicants again and match the candidates with schools in different cities.

“Fulbright Teaching Assistantship awards offer our students the opportunity to learn and teach across cultures and boundaries, to become even more proficient communicators, and to discover their potential as cultural ambassadors and mediators,” said Erika Berroth, associate professor of German at Southwestern.

Students selected for the Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship Program receive round-trip transportation to the host country, a salary for the academic year based on living costs in the host country, an allowance for books and research, and medical insurance. They have an orientation program and also participate in a variety of enrichment activities during the course of the year.

Most English Teaching Assistants work in their schools for 20 to 30 hours a week, which leaves plenty of time to pursue independent research projects, internships or community service projects.

This is the third year in a row that Southwestern students have received Fulbright Teaching Assistantships in Germany. 2009 graduates Carolyn Acker and Erin Osterhaus are currently teaching in the south of Germany and Jamie Falconnier is in Austria. 2008 graduates Amy Tanguay and Chelsea Edge both taught in the north of Germany and are now in graduate programs in the United States.