Azerbaijan
5 English Teaching Assistant Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodSeptember StartGrant Length9 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
The Fulbright Program in Azerbaijan seeks to strengthen educational and cultural relations between the United States and Azerbaijan, and U.S. Fulbright grantees to Azerbaijan will find a dynamic and rewarding environment in which to support and strengthen the English-language instruction at Azerbaijani institutions of higher education. Modernizing English-language instruction in the country is a major Embassy goal, and ETAs will play a significant role in helping the transition to a more communicative style of teaching and learning. ETAs can expect guidance and support from the Embassy and will have opportunities to work with the Cultural Affairs Officer and Cultural Affairs team to participate in public and cultural outreach programs, as well as to initiate their own self-designed community service projects (past ETA projects include starting sports, arts or cooking clubs, helping with community or school projects, working with local students to help them apply to university, and serving as judges or coaches for English-language competitions).
Embassy will support ETAs with visa invitation letter. This will allow ETAs to apply for multiple 365 days visa by sending their documents to Azerbaijani Consulates in DC or LA for processing. No visa interviews are required usually.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Grants will begin on September 10, 2025 and end on June 10, 2026.
Orientation
All grantees are required to attend a pre-departure orientation in June or July as a condition of their grant. The event is organized by IIE, virtual or in-person. There is also a post-arrival orientation held in the first week of ETAs' arrival in the country organized by the Embassy.
Candidate Profile
Well-rounded, articulate graduating seniors, recent university graduates, or PhD candidates with an interest in international education and the initiative to teach conversational English at all levels will be considered. Undergraduate degrees in the humanities and social sciences, with a focus on English, American studies, or education, are preferred. Successful candidates will not just be teaching English, but explaining the U.S. to local citizens who have little contextual understanding of America. Previous teaching experience is not required, but is helpful. Applicants must be fluent English-speakers and very self-directed.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Azerbaijan is a safe country in general both for local and foreigners. The criminal rate is low across country. ETAs are able to travel to the regions on their own and have freedom of movement in the evening, however they are always advised to practice reasonable caution when traveling in the country and remain vigilant. The public transportation is available and stable in all the cities where ETAs are placed. Taxi service is cheap and availably through Bolt Taxi, 189 Taxi, Uber Apps. Housing is usually in apartment buildings located in downtown and if not downtown then with 5-to-10-minute walk from a grocery store and a bus stop. We recommend ETAs placed in Baku to stay close to campus, walk or use public transportation to commute to work and back to avoid heavy traffic during rush hours.
To learn more about life for Fulbrighters in Azerbaijan, here are some posts about former ETA's and their experiences while in country:
Jacob Condran (ETA 2023-2024) https://www.facebook.com/baku.usembassy/posts/pfbid0mgSJG4qshq2HtBsFtRM363dM84Q53rEXRqAzj4HkFXXBsdAiNx1CAtZCHrcwjA1Bl
John Bunke (ETA 2022-2023) https://www.facebook.com/baku.usembassy/posts/pfbid02qNvactF5bMwPEHgPAmXH2owhPhkntXzf4ZSBVr3ZJYVLCgNnAQXVwa8TUhRGFHKql
Joshua Elias (ETA 2022-2023) https://www.facebook.com/baku.usembassy/posts/pfbid0ieVvZZxx6wcGTCs1rz3HD9QHDhyhRMfwJhqkut5hA2L7NueRJ7BnbhiDMGwXq9ysl
Beyza Yazici (ETA 2022-2023) https://www.facebook.com/baku.usembassy/posts/pfbid0jrcStSsAH2ZMheE2KUUvnbLxNaLK7YhEqo45XaU7qvd99pcGFRJdqXNJzYSpH5Npl
John Bunke (ETA 2021-2022) https://www.facebook.com/baku.usembassy/posts/pfbid09f2d1PccJNiuLvGQA98N7j2Zmz5HngQM8V9mZ22UfdBqRgSAwr4fQdZ95ASJBbATl
Eligibility
6 Months
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Foreign Language Proficiency
Additional Information: Knowledge of Azerbaijani or Russian is helpful, but not expected. There is a possibility that ETAs will be provided with a stipend to study the local language while in-country.
Placement Type
- Vocational/Technical School
- Teacher Training
- University/Post-Secondary Institution
- Other Educational/Community Institution
Placement Locations
- Capital City
- Regional City
Recent placements have included Ganja, Lankaran, and Sheki as well as the capital city of Baku.
List of universities where 2023-2024 ETAs placed:
Azerbaijan Tourism and Management University (atmu.edu.az)
AZƏRBAYCAN DÖVLƏT AQRAR UNİVERSİTETİ (adau.edu.az)
Ganja State University – Gəncə Dövlət Universiteti (gdu.edu.az)
Lankaran State University (lsu.edu.az)
Supplementary Project
Award Benefits
- A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
- International travel benefits
- Accident & sickness health benefits
- 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
- 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
- English language teaching preparatory course
Stipend Amount
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
One-Time Allowances
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
- Excess baggage fees
- Language training allowance
- Settling in allowance
- Local transportation allowance
Additional Grant Benefits
- Diplomatic pouch
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
Currency
The Azerbaijani manat is the official currency of Azerbaijan. The currency code is AZN, and its symbol is ₼. Travelers can exchange their U.S. dollars for Azerbaijani Manat at banks, exchange offices, or use ATMs in Azerbaijan. Average Monthly Net Salary after tax can reach around $380 (646 AZN). A single person’s estimated monthly costs are around 533.6$ (907.1man) without rent in Baku, while in the regions this can vary but is significantly less. The cost of living in Azerbaijan is, on average, 55.6% lower than in United States; Baku is 60 % less expensive than Washington (not considering rent).
If you’re paying in a small shop or convenience store, you’ll need to use cash. Bank cards aren’t widely accepted outside of Baku. You’ll need to be sure to take all the cash you’ll need with you should you leave the capital, as ATMs are few and far between outside of Baku but are located in most major towns and cities.
Transportation
In Baku, residents use the Baku Card (https://bakikart.az/ ) for subway and bus travel both as a plastic card and via a mobile app. After you get your card, you can top up as many amounts as you want similar to transport pay-as-you-go systems in other global cities. However, some buses may not have card systems, requiring cash instead. A one-way ticket for the local transport (bus/metro) is 0.40 AZN ($0.23), monthly pass is for 30.00 AZN ($17.59). Many people use the ride-share application Bolt to get around, both inside Baku and in other cities, as well as inter-city travel. In Baku, Bolt fares range between 2.5 – 5 AZN ($1.5-3), making this option the safest while being reasonably affordable. All the cities where ETAs are placed has bus stations for in-country travelling, while Baku and Ganja have train stations. Baku-Ganja train ticket costs 15 AZN (8.8 USD) and takes for a little than 4 hours to get to your destination. Tickets can be purchased at the train station or online at https://ticket.ady.az/ticket-search/
Rent
Rent in Azerbaijan is, on average, 78.4% lower than in United States. A 1 bedroom apartment in Baku’s city center ranges between 582-750 AZN ($340-441). In regional cities, this can vary greatly but is less expensive than Baku. Apartments are usually furnished since the previous occupants, or the landlord leave the basic furnishings. Air conditioning and heating is usually provided.
Phone and the Internet
Major mobile providers in Azerbaijan include Bakcell, Nar, and Azercell, each offering detailed price plans and a comprehensive list of services on their websites. Many apartment rentals in Azerbaijan typically include cable and internet services. On average, monthly mobile phone plans with calls and 10 GB+ data cost around 21.48 AZN (12.60 USD), while internet services alone average around 27.13 AZN (15.91 USD). Keep in mind that these prices may vary, and it's advisable to check with the specific service providers for the most up-to-date information.
Food
Azerbaijani cuisine is rich and diverse, featuring a variety of flavorful dishes. Known for its use of aromatic herbs, grilled meats, and pilaf (plov), Azerbaijani food reflects a fusion of Middle Eastern, Persian, and Central Asian culinary influences. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs 15 AZN ($8.80), and at a mid-range restaurant could range between 22-34 AZN ($13-20). While meat is a central part of any Azerbaijani meal, vegetarian options such as salads, vegetarian omelettes, grilled vegetables, soups and other dishes are usually available. Supermarkets are usually easy to access and local produce is much more affordable than in the United States.
Entertainment
Admission fees for tourist attractions and historical sites in Azerbaijan typically start at 1 AZN (0.59 USD). But the price is different for foreigners and usually start at 5 AZN (2.94 USD). The cost for locals may vary based on factors such as student status, nationality, or citizenship. Concert ticket prices typically range from 20 to 30 AZN (11.73 to 17.59 USD), varying based on factors such as the performer and venue. Meanwhile, theater tickets start at 5 to 10 AZN (2.93 to 5.87 USD), reflecting the diverse pricing based on different theaters and performances. Via this website you can find variety of concerts, theaters, tourist attractions and more, and purchase an online ticket https://iticket.az/en/
Healthcare
There are modern health facilities in Azerbaijan, although more limited outside of Baku. Most specialized clinics and hospitals are in Baku. Only Azerbaijan citizens have access to free healthcare in the country, so foreigners will need to secure their own health insurance policies. Healthcare in Azerbaijan is provided by public and private healthcare institutions and regulated through the Ministry of Health. For more detailed information about healthcare options, costs and procedures, it is advisable to consult the Embassy and individual health insurance companies. They can provide comprehensive details about healthcare expenses and the application process. Embassy also provides a handbook with recommended list of healthcare facilities for Azerbaijan and the cities ETAs are placed.
Dependents
Housing Arrangements
Embassy and host institutions will assist grantees with their housing. Host university contact person will be helping to find appropriate aparment for a fellow near the university campus or in the city center.