When Rachel Robinson and her friends were lip-synching to “Stop, In the Name of Love” during the Chartiers Valley talent show her senior year, she wasn’t sure where life would take her after high school. But she knew one thing for sure – the Chartiers Valley social study teachers were behind her. Literally. Mr. Rodrigues, Mr. Copetas, Mr. Switala and Mr. Harhai were the group’s
back-up dancers for their act.
“I do believe that it is safe to say we were quite a hit,” said Rachel, who graduated from Chartiers Valley in 2006.
After graduation, Rachel went to Duquesne University where she studied psychology. In 2008, she spent a semester abroad in Rome at the Duquesne Italian campus. While abroad, Rachel did community service teaching English as a second language to refugees.
“Upon return home from Rome, I sought out a work study position in the ESL Department – a job I absolutely loved,” said Rachel.
After graduating from Duquesne with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a minor in German, Rachel decided to pursue work in the field of international education.
“My eventual goal is to work in a university office assisting American students who wish to study abroad and helping international students who are studying in America,” said Rachel.
Since the industry is so competitive, Rachel began networking and seeking out any help and advice she could find. Last fall, she met with a woman at Duquesne’s study abroad office who recommended the
Fulbright Program to her.
Rachel agreed that it would be a good match for her, so she applied and was accepted into the prestigious program. Her Fulbright is an ETA scholarship which runs from September 10, 2012 through June 20, 2013. During that time, Rachel will be assisting the English teacher in the classroom of a German high school. She will also spend time conducting yoga and dance classes as her community service proposal.
“I expect to experience cultural shock and homesickness, but I know the pros will outweigh the cons tenfold,” said Rachel. “I am very excited to refine my German language skills, to express positive aspects of American culture to my German students, and to help these students in any way I can!”
Rachel believes Chartiers Valley helped prepare her for everything she’s accomplished since high school.
“The years I spent at CV really helped me to refine my interests,” explained Rachel. “I discovered my strengths and weaknesses in terms of which subjects I preferred to study and what I would be most willing to do for a long-term career.”
Although High School is where Rachel took her first psychology and German class, which eventually became her major and minor respectively, she admits it took her time to figure out exactly which career path she wanted to follow.
Her advice to Chartiers Valley students?
“Don’t feel pressure to have your life figured out yet,” said Rachel. “It took me years to have any sort of inkling as to what career I wanted.”
“I had interests, but could not for the life of me figure out how to entwine those interest into a full-time, fulfilling job. It was within my seeking these answers that I discovered the Fulbright Program and am off to this new adventure.”
Learn more about the Fulbright Program>>
