안녕하세요 Hello friends! My name is Thomas Neely. Please call me Thomas. I will be 25 years old this year, and I was born in Maryland. I was born into a military family. I also lived in Virginia and mostly grew up on the coast of Georgia. Growing up I spent most of my time by myself. As I got older, I wanted to become more involved in local communities. For my first part-time job I worked at a Credit Union, and I volunteered more at events. Connecting with people helped me learn that we all live interesting lives and that the world is better when we share it with each other.
In college, I did a double major in marketing & creative writing with a minor in psychology. I joined groups across campus working on a literary magazine, volunteering with different societies, tutoring, and later mentoring new students. The best decision I made in college was to study abroad. I spent a semester in England, another semester in Japan, and a spring break in Italy. Each opportunity abroad was unique, and they all helped me to better understand myself while also learning more about other cultures and making international friends.
After I graduated I wanted to have more experiences abroad, so I chose to teach English abroad. I spent the last two years teaching English to high school students in Japan. Even though I studied abroad in Japan, it was a completely different experience to live and work in the country. I made a lot of memories with my students, co-workers, and friends. Now I have been lucky enough to teach English in South Korea as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant from January 2027 through December. I’m excited to go on this journey in a new country, and it is made all the better by sharing it with you!
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!
