BETHANY, W.Va. – Bethany College is hosting three Fulbright Scholars for the 2020-2021 academic year as part of the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistantship Program.
Inès Nabi
Inès Nabi, of France, Tim Hefner, of Germany, and Shaymaa Kullab, of Gaza, are teaching language courses in French, German, and Arabic at Bethany.
Nabi, of Bailly-Romainvilliers, Ile-de-France, is teaching French language and civilization courses. She has a B.A. in English from Université Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée and is working on a master’s degree in English. She has worked as an English teacher and tutors at schools and language immersion camps in France and in Ireland. She has traveled widely in Europe, the United States, and Latin America. In addition to English and her native French, she also speaks Spanish.
“I think that this year at Bethany is an incredible chance for me to share my culture and initiate American students to another way to see and interact with the world, but to do so in a way that goes beyond the stereotypes they might expect,” Nabi said. “I am also very enthusiastic about discovering this part of the United States, experiencing life on an American campus, getting to know people from different backgrounds and enlarge my own perception of the world.”
Tim Hefner
Hefner, of Lauda, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, is teaching German language and civilization. He finished his thesis for his teaching degree in English and social sciences at Friedrich-Schiller University in Jena. He has worked as an English and social sciences teacher at a regular school in Germany. In addition to English and his native German, he also speaks French. His arrival at Bethany is his first visit to the United States.
“Probably the best thing about being part of the Fulbright program is, on the one hand, the opportunity to share my culture, my language, and my experiences from abroad with students and people at Bethany,” Hefner said. “On the other side, I am very enthusiastic about learning more about, and experiencing the American culture first hand, which was [until] now only portrayed by television and books. I think it is always important to critically reflect his or her perspective on other cultures and to dismantle stereotypes. This program, being at Bethany and meeting many new people here, is likely one of the best things to do so.”
Shaymaa Kullab
Kullab of Gaza in the Palestinian Territories is teaching Arab language and culture courses and is assisting in a religion course dealing with inter-religious dialogue and social justice. Because of visa-granting restrictions, she is teaching remotely from her home.
She received a B.A. in English language and teaching methods from Al Azhar University in Gaza in 2016. She has worked as a translator and English teacher in the Gaza Strip.
“As I am a Fulbrighter, I am looking forward to expanding my horizon and knowledge through exchanging ideas and thoughts with others,” Kullab said. “Also, learning about American culture and people, and to introduce my country and culture to people in the U.S. I hope to join in Bethany’s activities and to have friends from Bethany. “
The Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistantship Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is designed to develop Americans’ knowledge of foreign cultures and languages. Educators from more than 50 countries teach more than 30 languages at hundreds of U.S. colleges and universities, according to the Fulbright website.
Bethany College began hosting Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistants in 2011.
ABOUT BETHANY COLLEGE
Bethany College, founded in 1840, is the oldest private college in West Virginia. The Bethany experience focuses on academic excellence in the area of liberal arts and prepares students for a lifetime of work and a life of significance.
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