Fulbright English teaching assistants Jasmine Villavicencio and Kyle Aloof visited the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) in Port Moresby this week.
They were accompanied by U.S. Embassy official Matilda Kapipi. Related article: https://pg.usembassy.gov/fulbright-teaching-excellence-and-achievement-program/
The School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS) welcomed the visitors, giving them a chance to engage with young scholars and explore UPNG’s academic environment.
Acting executive dean Dr. Dora Ayius provided an overview of SHSS’s undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programs, stressing the importance of communication, student engagement, and collaboration for strong academic partnerships.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Findlay met the assistants and highlighted UPNG’s commitment to internationalization and cross‑cultural engagement, noting future Fulbright placements could be explored with the U.S. Embassy.
The assistants shared their backgrounds and motivations: Ms. Villavicencio studied Indonesian language and teacher training, while Mr. Aloof, a Peace Corps alumnus from Tonga, expressed excitement about continuing his learning and building cultural connections through education.
The Fulbright Program in Papua New Guinea offers two streams-research placements and English Teaching Assistant (ETA) positions-with stipends and university accommodation.
The visit ended with mutual understanding, reinforcing UPNG’s openness to future engagement with the Fulbright Program and its commitment to international collaboration and cross‑cultural learning.