From June 2014 to September 2015, under the auspices of a Fulbright Scholarship, I served as a University English teacher at Savannakhet University (SKU) in Laos. My assignment entailed instructing undergraduate students in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) courses for a full academic year, an enriching experience that broadened my cultural perspectives and strengthened my pedagogical skills.

My role extended beyond classroom instruction. I designed and delivered teaching and language workshops for faculty and staff, bolstering the university’s language proficiency and fostering a more immersive English learning environment for students. This component of my role allowed me to contribute to the professional development of my colleagues, making the experience even more rewarding.

Always eager to provide students with unconventional learning opportunities, I initiated a film club, generously funded by a grant from the U.S. Embassy. This club provided a platform for students to engage with English-language films, facilitating their language learning in an enjoyable and interactive manner.

My tenure at SKU was one of immense personal and professional growth. I embraced the challenges of teaching in a foreign context, which rewarded me with a deeper understanding of Lao culture and the global scope of English language education. The relationships I built with students and faculty members, the satisfaction of facilitating English language learning, and the pleasure of contributing to a vibrant academic community are facets of my Fulbright experience that will remain etched in my memory. Above all, my time at SKU reaffirmed my belief in the power of education as a tool for fostering cross-cultural understanding and global cooperation.