Hannah Davies ’24 graduated with degrees in history and global commerce. Since August 2024, she has been teaching English in Taiwan with the U.S. Student Fulbright Program. Below, Hannah shares reflections on her time so far as a Fulbrighter.
If you’re interested in applying for a Fulbright grant, contact the Lisska Center or Dr. Corey Efron for more information. Current juniors, seniors, and recent grads who are U.S. citizens will be eligible to apply for the next cycle of grants.
Hannah’s Reflection:
My time as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) has been nothing short of transformative. Every day offers new opportunities for learning—for both my students and myself. As an educator, I am constantly inspired to find creative ways to share the English language and American culture, and it has been incredibly rewarding to see my students engage with these concepts. Equally fulfilling is the exchange of knowledge in the other direction; I have gained so much insight into Taiwanese culture from my students and colleagues, whether it’s learning about local traditions or picking up new Mandarin and Taiwanese phrases.
One of the most surprising joys of my Fulbright experience has been living in a rural area. I am based in Yuli Township, a small town of about 22,000 people, and my daily 15-minute express train commute takes me to Fuli Township, with a population of around 9,000. Both towns are nestled in the scenic Hualien County, known for its stunning natural beauty, delicious local delicacies like stinky tofu, and specialty noodles. Likewise, my Fulbright cohort is also the smallest in the program, consisting of just 6 members, and my school is also quite small with just 105 students grades K-6. This intimacy has allowed me to forge meaningful connections with my students, my cohort, and the wider community.
As someone who loved Denison’s community, living in such close-knit communities has been an unexpected delight. Whether I’m running into students at the night markets, volunteering at the town’s recycling plant, chatting with the train station staff, or being invited to local events, I’ve been embraced by the warmth and hospitality of the people here. These simple, everyday interactions have helped me feel deeply connected to both my school and my town.
As I reflect on the first half of my Fulbright year, I’m filled with gratitude for the experiences I’ve had. Some of my favorite memories include preparing my students for an English competition, singing English songs with my students, visiting fellow Fulbrighters in other cities, my parents visiting Taiwan, visiting a Karaoke bar with my cohort, and going to a Christmas market with my co-teachers. Every moment has been an invaluable part of my journey, and I look forward to the months ahead.
