Benjamin Rabin '16 Awarded Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Poland

Benjamin Rabin ’16, a history major and chemistry minor, has been awarded a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Poland. He will begin his fellowship in September.

At Oberlin, Rabin says he primarily studied Eastern European history, particularly former communist states like Poland and the Soviet Union. He says the Fulbright fellowship appealed to him partly because he would have the opportunity to engage with the cultures he has been studying and partly because he will likely be assistant teaching in college English as a Second Language (ESL) science and math classrooms. “The Fulbright ETA grant in Poland offers a unique and exciting intersection of my interests since I've been at Oberlin,” he says.

In addition to his work as an advisor and assistant teacher, Rabin will work on an independent project that will bring together members of the community with musical background to explore and play contemporary Polish and Eastern European music. “I hope these informal workshops will allow my Polish colleagues and I to engage with music that bears important connections to the recent history of the region,” he says.

Rabin says he gained extensive teaching experience over the past two years as an OWLS (Oberlin Workshop and Learning Sessions) general chemistry instructor and as a music counselor for high school musicians at Greenwood Music Camp in western Massachusetts. “Both of these opportunities have been incredibly enriching experiences, and I am excited to teach in a new setting next year,” he says.

Rabin says he plans to apply to medical school following his fellowship, as he is exploring a possible career in oncology or infectious diseases. He credits the endless curiosity and diverse interests of his peers and professors with inspiring him to explore new geographic areas and fields of study.

“I have been emboldened to push the boundaries of my knowledge during my time at Oberlin. I hope to share this mentality with Polish students during my Fulbright fellowship.”