Columbus State University announced today that recent CSU graduate Brittany Parker has been accepted into the Fulbright Korea English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Program. The prestigious honor awards Parker with a grant, allowing her to live and teach English in South Korea for one year.

Parker graduated with the honor of Cum Laude from the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University in Fall 2019. She received a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Music (Voice), a Linguistic minor, and an International Studies Certificate. She has participated in two study abroad programs in South Korea, one of which is the TESOL internship program in which she experienced teaching English abroad.  Back at CSU, she served as an officer for the Korean Pop Culture Club at CSU and completed her TESOL certificate.  

“The TESOL program has afforded me the opportunity to participate in an internship to teach in South Korea to all age groups. This opportunity enabled me to get hands-on teaching experience and also immerses me in Korean culture. I truly believe the CSU TESOL program enhanced my chances in being selected for and chosen to receive the Fulbright Scholarship,” said Parker. 

“This award will definitely help Brittany pursue her interest in both Korean culture and teaching English abroad,” commented Dr. Seon Jeon, Director of CSU’s TESOL certificate program and TESOL Internship program in South Korea.  

“We at CSU are very proud of Brittany’s accomplishments in international education,” said Dr. Eric Spears, Fulbright Advisor and Mildred Miller Fort Foundation Eminent Scholar & Chair of International Education. “Brittany represents Columbus State’s values of global citizenship.  From her undergraduate study abroad and internship experiences in South Korea to being awarded this highly competitive grant, Brittany has lived up to the Fulbright ethos with her commitment to cultural exchange and soft diplomacy.  She will represent CSU and the United States well in South Korea.”

While attending the Schwob School of Music, Parker performed two leading roles with the Schwob Opera Theatre. She sang the role of “Julie” in Michael Ching’s Speed Dating Tonight!  and “Maguelonne” in both the main stage and outreach productions of Cendrillon by Pauline Viardot. In addition, Parker was selected to present her research on Korean Art Song at Georgia NATS. She served as the sergeant at arms and music chair of the music fraternity, Sigma Alpha Iota. While pursuing her music degree, Parker received the Army Emergency Relief Scholarship and the Sergeants Major Association CSM Eddie L. Roberts Memorial Scholarship. Parker is a voice student of Dr. Joshua May, who is the chair of CSU’s National Scholarship Committee. 

The English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Programs place Fulbrighters in classrooms abroad to provide assistance to the local English teachers. ETAs help teach English language while serving as cultural ambassadors for the U.S.  The program is a 12-month long grant funded by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and the Korean Ministry of Education (MOE) along with its partnering Korean Boards of Education and local host institutions. ETA grantees undergo a 6-week orientation training period that includes intensive Korean language instruction, teaching, and cultural workshops, and various activities and opportunities to bond with their fellow ETAs before going to their placement schools. 

First proposed by Senator William Fullbright, the Fulbright Program financially supports exchanges between the United States and countries around the world utilizing funds from the sale of military surplus. Since its inception in 1946, more than 390,000 Fulbright grant recipients, including students, scholars, and professionals, have shared knowledge across communities and made lasting connections through international educational and cultural exchange.