I got the chance to meet and interact with Mona Sharma here at Stanford this year and I must say Mona is a really inspiring person. I talked to her about various issues and i thought it would be good to get it out on kaaledge.com for everyone’s benefit. Mona is at Stanford on a year long Fullbright Scholarship - under the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching program.

Q1. What is your background - family and academic?

I come from a family of educators. My father has retired as a college principal and my mother as a senior lecturer. I have a younger sister, who is a lawyer with a reputed legal firm in Delhi. I am married to a journalist.

My schooling and college has been in my hometown, Dharamshala — a small hill station in north of India. I completed my Bachelor of Arts (BA) with English, Political Science and Economics as my major subjects before enrolling into MA English. I did my M. Phil. in English from Panjab University, which is one of the finest varsities in north India. For my M.Phil. research, I picked up Patrick White, an Australian Nobel laureate.

My keen interest in linguistics took me to Central Institute of English & Foreign Languages (CIEFL) for a post graduate certificate in English teaching (PGCTE). I got trained in using Direct method approach in teaching of second language while at Inlingua (a Switzerland based language school) and into other new teaching approaches in Regional Institute of English, Chandigarh.

Q2. What program are you in and how did you hear about it?

I am a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA). On this program, English teachers from all over the world come to US to teach their native language and enhance their proficiency in English by studying here. So it’s a kind of cultural exchange wherein not only you teach a language but also impart an insight into your culture. It also gives the participants the opportunity to refine their teaching skills, increase their English language proficiency and extend their knowledge of the culture and customs of the United States.

It was at Panjab University where I came to know about the prestigious program. I was fascinated with it and a little more research gave me all the details about it. Also, my head at Regional Insititute of English, Chandigarh, where I was working as a lecturer was instrumental in motivating me for the course. Since she was a Fulbrighter herself, her guidance helped me a lot in the final selection.

Q3. Why did you choose to study abroad? Why this particular country? And why this particular institution and why that particular course?

As my field and background has been that of English language and teaching, I wanted more exposure to the global culture. Also, I knew, if I get a good course in the US, it will do wonders for my skills and proficiency. This time, I wanted American English in its own setting, because in India, we largely follow British English, and I was keen to learn more about American English. So applying here was but natural.

Regarding Stanford, during our selection, we were given options about the areas where we wanted to go. Since, I knew very little about the country, I said I was open to be placed anywhere. Usually, the universities match the profiles of the candidates and pick those, whom they find most suitable for them. So, when I got an offer from Stanford, I didn’t even think twice to make a decision. California suited me climatically too, so it was a twin treat.

Since the FLTA program essentially for teachers of English, I knew it would help me a lot in my home country. I can take the skills I acquire here to India to boost the standard of education there. I have also worked in Inlingua (A Switzerland-based language school, having branches in world over) and RIE, which is one of the premium institutes in India in English teaching methodology. I wanted to get the feel of new methodologies in an entirely different set up.

Q4. How was the application process? What all did you have to do? How was the orientation in the beginning, as in the country, institution?

Application process was fairly simple. The form could be downloaded from the portal concerned and was to be filled online. Mainly, it outlined academic qualifications and interests. The next step was a written test (in language you opted to teach, Hindi being my native language, I chose that) and interview, followed by TOEFL. Also, other significant part of the application was reference letters, to be given by persons, knowing the candidate personally and professionally well.

The orientations were immensely helpful, because they were instrumental in getting over the initial jitters. The first one was in New Delhi, where we interacted with Fulbrighters who had been in the US before. Through them we got to know what to expect in the host country and to go about it. The next orientation here in Stanford helped us to know what was expected from us. Also, the tour of campus and trip to beautiful San Francisco was awesome.

Q5. How different is the curriculum, pedagogy in the US from India.

It’s not very different if I compare to my language teaching experience in Inlingua and RIE. The teachers use similar methodology and materials. The difference is students also get to use more of technology in learning process, like Internet support, making videos for their presentation (back home, usually the students prepare powerpoint presentations). Materials here are posted online, so that students can practice in their free time, in India usually we depend on tapes and CDs. And here, there are lot many more choices in choosing courses.

Q6.Could you work there? How much expenditure were you able to meet through that? Were your parents financing the entire amount? (May not be applicable to you - but a few details about your scholarhips would be helpful)

As I am on Fulbright fellowship, IIE funds my expenditure and Stanford provides some amount quarterly (as I am teaching here). The money is good enough to get by the regular expenses like housing and food, but need to depend on your personal resources for other expenditures.

Q7. What are your plans when you come back to India?

Not very sure yet, may be I can think of starting my own place in language training or join an organization which is already into it. The idea is to boost English language learning and teaching in India.

Q8. How your education in the US is helping/will help you?

Studying and teaching in the US has opened a whole new dimension for me towards the language. The technology support for students here is amazing. I am learning lots of new things here. I have taken up Spanish and a course in Communications. The experience I gather in Stanford classrooms can easily be translated to more productive teaching strategies in my home country.

And, in new country one learns to adapt, it’s such an important phase in one’s life. Interaction with other students, teachers and fellow Fulbrighters (who are from almost all corners of the world) enriches one as an individual.

Q9. What are your future plans?

Personally, I am person who does not plan much ahead. I have already listed my plans after coming to India. But I am sure with Fulbright fellowship and Stanford experience; my life will soon take a more productive turn.

Q10. Any words of advice for aspiring young people who want to come to the US for education?

I feel it’s important for the aspirants to meet people who have been there, seen that. They can act as great guiding beacons. It’s not difficult to locate people in Google age and they are usually more than helpfulJ. Rest, belief in your abilities, open heart and willingness to work, will make youngsters’ experience here more valuable.