Hola! My name is Ryan McGowan. I'm 23 years old and grew up in Fairfax, Virginia, right outside of Washington D.C. As a shy kid, I had many teachers in middle and high school who helped me feel confident and empowered me to be myself. One such teacher was my high school Spanish teacher, Ms. Sohl. She was a large influence in my desire to become an educator and help my students find their voices and foster a passion for learning.
I attended James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, where I studied education and history. I received my Master's Degree in Education and plan on becoming a middle school history teacher.
However, before I began teaching in the U.S., I was inspired by my family and teachers like Ms. Sohl to step out of my comfort zone and broaden my horizons. I applied for a Fulbright ETA position in Spain, where I would have the opportunity to teach a variety of subjects and immerse myself in Spanish culture!
I was accepted to be a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in A Coruna, a large city in the province of Galicia in the Northeast of Spain. Galicia is renowned for its food, history, and culture, and has its own regional language called Gallego. I'll be teaching students ages 12-17 in subjects including English, Math, Technology, Biology, and P.E, while also running a Global Classrooms program, in which students will participate in a Model U.N. club with the opportunity to travel to other cities in Spain.
Want to learn how you could be a Fulbright Scholar like me? The Fulbright Program is the United States government's flagship international exchange program. Fulbrighters foster mutual understanding between the United States and partner nations, share knowledge across communities, and improve lives around the world. Learn more by clicking here!
