Imagine Fulbright: Jessie Bingaman ’16 finds a “perfect fit” as a Fulbright Fellow in Taiwan

When Jessie Bingaman ’16 graduated last year, the world beckoned. Majoring in Spanish, Chinese, and Asian Studies, she had already studied abroad in Lima, Peru, and Nanjing, China, and participated in J-Term study tours in China, Nicaragua, and Guatemala. Ms. Bingaman was looking for ways to teach and learn about culture abroad even more intensively, and serving as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) in a host country offers just that opportunity. Partway through her one-year placement, she does not regret her choice. “It’s been a great experience for me,” she said, “and a perfect fit.”

Now living in eastern Taiwan, Ms. Bingaman is exposed to aspects of Chinese culture that she had never encountered before. While her Mandarin language abilities grew through coursework at Carthage, her time as an instructor of an English enrichment camp in Beijing, and as a semester student in Nanjing, the adjustment to Taiwan’s dialects and writing system was a challenge. Furthermore, her placement location in a town outside of Taitung is an area known for its high population of Paiwan and Amis aboriginal people. “I’ve been continually charmed by how these ancient cultures are integrated into every part of life, even within the school system,” she said, noting that one of her schools has a competitive aboriginal singing group. “It has been a pleasure to see how their specific cultures and diversity in general are celebrated in the community.”

Teaching 22 classes a week in two schools, Ms. Bingaman finds her placement to be an opportunity to learn about the diversity in the local educational system. She works in both a larger, resource-rich school and an aboriginal school that instructs students in the culture of the Paiwan ethnic minority through music, dance, and a museum on the school grounds. Originally from Arlington Heights, Illinois, she has drawn from her own background to benefit her third- through sixth-grade students by connecting them with elementary school classes in her hometown. She has set up “pen pal” relationships between her Taiwanese students and American students for English practice and cultural exchange.

While at Carthage, Ms. Bingaman was an Assistant Hall Director in the student residences, active in the service organization Circle K International, a participant in Student Government, and a founder of the campus Culture Fest. These numerous roles helped to prepare her for teaching and living abroad. She finds her many years as a fellow of the Carthage Writing Center and Spanish language tutor especially relevant. Ms. Bingaman’s placement involves teaching English daily, and she has been paired with a Taiwanese teacher to help her improve her classroom skills. Fulbright ETAs also serve as representatives of U.S. American values abroad. “I learn so much every day from my co-teacher and my students about their lives, their culture, and their country,” she said. “I’ve loved being able to be a part of teaching them English, but also American culture. The ETA program truly does go beyond linguistic teaching, to a cultural ambassadorship position.”

Ms. Bingaman anticipates a career in educational leadership, and her professors at Carthage see a promising future. “Jessie’s language preparation in Chinese and Spanish opens a wide variety of options in academics, with nongovernmental organizations, and in government,” said Associate Professor of Modern Languages and Economics Edward Montanaro. “In the last four years she’s already demonstrated her capacity for leadership and her willingness to undertake new challenges. I suspect that we’ll have many opportunities to celebrate her accomplishments in the years to come.”

Reflecting on her time abroad as a Fulbrighter, Ms. Bingaman concludes that a willingness to take in the differences of a new setting makes for the best transition. “The most important thing is to come into the experience with an open mind, ready to absorb what is around you.”

Students interested in the Fulbright opportunity should visit the Carthage Fulbright page and contact Prof. Dan Choffnes, Fulbright Program Adviser.