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Do U.S. citizens need a visa to live and work in Austria?

U.S. citizens can stay in Austria for 3 months without a visa. However, when assuming their positions, U.S. teaching assistants must have a residency permit (the so-called "Aufenthaltsbewilligung für Sonderfälle unselbstständiger Erwerbstätigkeit"), which they already apply for in May/June at a consulate in the U.S. Without this permit they are not allowed to work.

As a U.S. Teaching Assistant, am I a Fulbrighter?

No, because the U.S. Teaching Assistantship program is not part of the official Fulbright grant programs. The Fulbright Commission administers the program for the Austrian Federal Ministry for Education, Arts and Culture. As a U.S. Teaching Assistant you are a salaried employee of the respective local school board.

Could teaching assistants start their assignment after October 1st or end sooner than May 31st?

There is no possibility to participate in the program for a shorter period of time than 8 months. The Austrian Federal Ministry for Education, Arts and Culture only provides this opportunity for the entire assignment period from Oct. 1^st until May 31st.

Can I take part in the program for more than one school year?

Yes. Provided that their performance merits an extension for a second year, teaching assistants may apply to have their teaching assistantships extended for a second year, either at their current locations or at another location in Austria.

Can I take part in the program for more than two school years?

No. Participation in the U.S. Teaching Assistantship program is strictly limited to a maximum of two school years.

As a U.S. Teaching Assistant, would I be able to take on another job?

No. Your residency permit will be issued exclusively for the U.S. Teaching Assistantship. Any additional employment and/or salary will have legal consequences (worst case: expulsion).

Are U.S. Teaching Assistants insured?

Yes, USTAs are registered with the Austrian insurance company BVA (www.bva.at) during their assistantship.

Does the program provide housing? If not, does Fulbright provide assistance in securing housing?

The Austrian-American Educational Commission (Fulbright Commission) provides contacts and information to their candidates for a teaching assistantship on how to go about setting up appropriate housing arrangements, but it is the teaching assistant's own responsibility to find and secure housing.

How do U.S. Teaching Assistants get prepared for their assignments?

The Austrian Federal Ministry for Education, Arts and Culture organizes 5-day orientation seminars prior to the program start, which will provide U.S. Teaching Assistants with information about logistic and practical issues as well as teaching techniques.

What is the best way for U.S. Teaching Assistants to get information about the schools and the area where they have been placed?

Every USTA has a contact teacher at each school they are assigned to. You will receive the contact details of this teacher, as well as a list of current TAs in Austria, who can also be a very useful source of information.

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Are non-US citizens eligible for the US Teaching Assistantship program at Austrian secondary schools?

No. U.S. citizenship is one of the requirements for the participation in the U.S. Teaching Assistantship program.

If I have dual citizenship, am I eligible for the U.S. Teaching Assistantship program?

Yes, dual citizenship is acceptable, provided that one of your citizenships is U.S. American.

Am I eligible for the U.S. Teaching Assistantship program if I have not yet graduated?

You can apply as a graduating senior, provided that you have your degree before assuming the position.

I already applied for a U.S. Teaching Assistantship once, but was rejected / put on the alternate list / withdrew from the program. Am I still eligible to participate in the program?

Yes, applicants who have already applied, but did not participate in the program are still eligible.

Can I apply to the U.S. Teaching Assistantship program in Austria if I also apply to a Fulbright ETA program in a different country?

Yes, because the Austrian U.S. Teaching Assistantship program is not part of the official Fulbright grant programs.

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Can the online application form be submitted more than once?

No. Each applicant may only submit the online application once. If your experience technical problems, please contact Dr. Jürgen Hörmann at the Austrian-American Educational Commission (JHoermann@fulbright.at).

Can I make changes in my online application form after submitting it?

No. Once your online application form is submitted, you cannot access it again to make changes.

How long should the application essay be?

Personal statement may be written in English or German and should not exceed 1,000 words. Please use the following format: Arial 10-point, standard 1-inch margins, 1 1/2 spaces.  

 

I already applied for the Teaching Assistantship program last year and am applying again this year. Is it possible to use the reference letters that were sent to the Fulbright commission last year, or should I have new ones from new sources written?

Please provide new reference letters for this year's application. The sources can be the same, but the letters must be up-to-date.

Do my letters of recommendation and transcripts have to be mailed with the rest of my application or could they be mailed to the Fulbright Commission separately?

We prefer to get complete application packages, including the transcripts and reference letters (in sealed and signed envelopes). However, we also accept individual items sent separately if it is logistically difficult. Please make sure that each item is postmarked before January 15.

Do the recommendation letters have to be in English, or can they be in German as well, if the person writing it is a native German speaker?

The recommendation letters can be written in English or German.

Certificate or letter by a German department - Is there a specific (online) language evaluation form that should be filled out?

There is no specific form. A letter from a qualified individual/institution is sufficient. The letter needs to certify that your proficiency in German is at a level comparable to the minimum requirement of intermediate mid (or above) according to the ACTFL guidelines.

To proof our language proficiency, should we have the German department administer the OPI test, or just write a letter stating that we are at the intermediate mid level required?

If your German department can confirm that you are at an intermediate mid level or above according to ACTFL, the OIP test is not required.

Should the language evaluation be in a sealed envelope?

No. A certificate or letter from a German department, language school, Goethe Institute, etc. is required for a complete application.

Would it be an issue if I have a language proficiency letter as well as a letter of recommendation from the same professor?

It does not pose a problem if a language proficiency letter and a letter of recommendation are written by the same person.

The application deadline for the USTA program is January 15. However, my final grades for the Fall semester and degree will NOT be available yet on the transcript. Will this be a problem?

No. You can send us the most recent transcript you have by Jan 15 and enclose a note that there are more grades on the way. As soon as you have your complete transcript and degree, have it sent to us. As we are anticipating applications from graduating seniors, this does not pose a problem.

What happens if my application is postmarked after January 15th?

Applications postmarked after January 15th will not be considered.

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As a U.S. Teaching Assistant, do I have to test and grade students?

No. You can assist the teacher, but testing and grading is not part of your responsibilities as a TA.

How many weekly hours do I have to work as a U.S. Teaching Assistant?

You have to work 13 hours per week in the classroom, and you will need additional time to prepare your lessons.

How am I supposed to prepare for my job as a U.S. Teaching Assistant?

Contact your school as soon as possible and find out what they expect you to prepare and which materials to bring from the U.S. for your classes. Make yourself familiar with the school type.