Nikki Keating ’25 Earns Fulbright to Teach English

What will you be doing as a Fulbright scholar—and what are you looking forward to the most?

Starting in January 2026, I will be in an English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) in Kenya for nine months. During the program, I will be tasked with teaching students English and helping them develop other skills such as résumé building and writing. I am specifically excited to teach students about journalism, and potentially start a newspaper at the school I’m working in. 

How did Oberlin shape or influence you to pursue the Fulbright?

I’ve taught in a few different ways during my time at Oberlin which have really solidified my love of the classroom. Whether it be teaching an ExCo or a PAL (Peer Advising Leader) class, Oberlin really showed me the joys of being a teacher and passing knowledge onto others. Outside of that, the Africana studies department cemented my passion for Afro-diasporic culture and history. This encouraged me to pursue a Fulbright specifically in Kenya. 

How does pursuing the Fulbright align with your post-college life and career goals? 

After Fulbright I would like to continue my education by pursuing a PhD in Africana Studies. I would love to be an Africana Studies professor with a specific interest in education from a radical perspective. Also, I always want to continue traveling and seeing the world, and Fulbright will definitely help build my worldly experiences. 

What’s the best advice you’ve received from your Oberlin faculty mentors?

My mentor, Associate Professor of Sociology and Comparative American Studies Alicia Smith-Tran ’10, always reminds me that rest is just as important as anything else I do. In the months before Kenya I am dedicating my time to reading and resting. Not only is this for my mental and physical health, but also to prepare myself to move to a whole new continent. No matter what you're doing, listen to your body and mind. You can’t go far without them! 

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