University of Utah alum Rilie Atkinson has spent the past two years in the Czech Republic and Latvia as an ETA (English Teaching Assistant) with the Fulbright organization.
“It is really about cultural exchange, diversity, understanding yourself and personal growth,” she said. “The people I have met bring such new ideas to the plate that I wouldn’t have gotten to hear otherwise.”
Atkinson was introduced to the program while deciding what to do post-grad. “I found out about this amazing experience through Alison Shimko, who is the Associate Director of the Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships (ONCS),” she said. “I have a background in teaching education and research. I love both of these things. Alison had done the ETA program in the past and she thought I would be a good fit.”
She talks about her role and experiences as an ETA abroad, saying, “I am partnered with a local school and I have the opportunity to be a teacher for the school year in another country.” She contrasts it with her experience in America, saying, “The education system is so different from our own, I think we could learn a lot from different education systems globally. Take the things that work and implement them here. Our own country could take some help in that area.”
On her future career plans, Atkinson says, “I want to work in international relations in the future. I believe strongly in education accessibility and providing opportunities globally. My next step in life is to go to grad school. Europe has given me such a broader perspective… This is my first time living abroad.”
Atkinson is also the founder of UStories, starting the platform in 2019 under the name OurStor1es. “A friend and I had an idea and we wanted to make it known. We wanted to provide a space for everyone’s voices to be heard and I think as a freshman in college, you’re idealistic. You want to change the world and you think your idea is going to do it. It changed my world,” she said. “I love that UStories is still thriving and transforming, I love that people are still benefiting from a silly little idea I had.”
She continued by saying, “It feels more intimate, I was able to create friendships that have lasted through the last 6 years, I was able to pay for university through this program and help other people get funding for their program,” she explained.
“I feel immensely proud of myself,” she said. “Something I do well is create opportunities for other people to succeed. I want to be that coach and seek their potential that they may not know they have. I think learning stories, listening and truly hearing other people is the best way to do that.”
