TEACHING FELLOWS
**foreign passport holders**
Asian University for Women (AUW) is dedicated to the education, empowerment, and leadership development of highly talented women from across Asia and the Middle East. Preferential selection is given to underserved populations; our students include garment factory workers, daughters of microfinance borrowers, young women from the tea plantations, Rohingya refugees, women from Madrasa schools, among others. AUW is delighted to announce that 1,900 students are enrolled for the 2025-2026 academic year, almost 500 of whom are from Afghanistan.
To support this mission, AUW invites recent liberal arts and sciences graduates to join as Teaching Fellows. These fellows play a crucial role across various academic programs and take on diverse teaching responsibilities throughout the university. The year-long fellowship, which starts in mid-July, is essential for advancing AUW’s goal of cultivating future leaders.
EXPECTATIONS
Teaching Fellows will work as instructors in AUW’s Pre-Undergraduate Program. In addition to teaching responsibilities, each Fellow will be asked to get involved with an extracurricular activity or introduce an extracurricular passion of their own on campus.
Fellows will have a 6-week Orientation prior to the beginning of the academic year, where Fellows will be introduced to the curriculum and teaching materials, and practice teaching.
There is a Teaching Fellow Site Coordinator, who will coordinate orientation sessions and support Fellows throughout the year. Should any fellows wish to extend their position for another year as a senior fellow, they will have the opportunity to do so on a case-by-case basis.
ONE YEAR ABROAD
Teaching Fellows will spend one year on campus at AUW in Chittagong, Bangladesh, starting in mid-July 2026 and ending in mid-August 2027. AUW’s current campuses are located in the heart of the port city of Chittagong, Bangladesh, within walking distance of restaurants, cafes, worship spaces, and retail shops.
Teaching Fellows will receive a stipend of US$1,000 per month. AUW will provide Teaching Fellows accommodation in one of the furnished faculty apartments. Each Fellow will have a private bedroom, bath and balcony, and will share a common space with other Teaching Fellows and Faculty.
Scheduled free transportation is provided to and from the faculty apartments to the AUW campuses. In addition, Fellows have free access to campus dining halls.
Fellows will be able to immerse themselves in Bangladesh and surrounding regions. There may be opportunities to visit the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh; visit garments factories where AUW recruits students; see natural habitats of wildlife unique to the region; and learn about industry issues in Bangladesh. Chittagong is Bangladesh’s second largest city with considerable income inequity; Fellows can expect an intense but deeply rewarding experiences living and working in Chittagong, which is also referred to as Chattogram. We seek Fellows who are eager to adapt and learn through the new experiences they have at AUW.
In addition, for those Fellows who are interested, we offer internships during the academic breaks at a variety of governmental and non-profit organizations. The AUW Board of Directors, the AUW Patrons, and other supporters of the University, past and present, are prominent leaders across the region and can open opportunities for the AUW Fellows. We will explore options with interested Fellows who have been accepted into the program.
Overview
Core Responsibilities
- Teach one year, beginning in mid-July 2026
- Teach roughly 9-15 contact hours per week as assigned by the Program Directors
- Oversee one extracurricular activity each term
- Other duties as assigned by the Program Directors
Compensation and Benefits
These funded Fellowships include most of the expenses Fellows will incur during their year as an AUW Teaching Fellow. They include round-trip airfare from their home to Chittagong. Fees for Fellows’ visas will also be reimbursed. Fellows will receive a stipend of US$1,000 per month, payable at the first of each month. Health insurance is provided and covers Fellows internationally in any country besides the United States. Fellows will have fully furnished faculty apartments and share common areas with other Teaching Fellows and Faculty. These apartments are attractive, clean, and safe. Those Fellows who wish to eat at the AUW dining hall are welcome to do so.
- Round trip airfare to and from Chittagong
- Visa fees
- Stipend of $1,000, paid monthly
- Health insurance/services
- A shared furnished faculty apartment
- Free access to dining halls
- Orientation prior to the start of AUW
In addition, AUW offers Fellows the opportunity to participate in an internship during the academic break with a governmental or prominent non-profit organization.
Bedroom
Bedroom
Dining Area of the Faculty Housing
Study Desk
Health and Safety
Health
AUW prioritizes the health and safety of its staff and students. The campus features a free Health & Wellness Center that addresses both medical and mental health needs. Additionally, there are hospitals located nearby. All Fellows are covered by a health insurance plan provided by NOW Health International, which applies not just in Bangladesh but also in other countries outside the United States.
Evercare Hospital in Chittagong. Evercare Hospital and AUW has a MOU for medical support for AUW community.
Safety
AUW campuses are safe, featuring three main academic center. One building houses undergraduate classes, while the original campus, located on MM Ali Road, is used for the Pre-UG Program. Recently, AUW acquired new academic buildings and faculty housing at the Chittagong Korean Export Processing Zone (KEPZ). All campuses are gated, with security guards and established protocols. Faculty apartments also have guards for added safety. While it’s always wise to stay aware of your surroundings, most people find Chittagong enjoyable and feel safe exploring the city, especially when in groups.
Foreign faculty and staff generally report feeling safe and secure at AUW. During periods of unrest in the country, AUW has an established emergency action plan and protocol in place to ensure the safety of all of its members. The AUW Safety and Security team provides methods for maintaining personal safety throughout the year.
AUW campus is gated with 24 hours security guards
Transportation and Visas
AUW will purchase all airline tickets. Fellows should work with AUW to identify appropriate flights to and from their homes. Fellows should arrive in Chittagong by July 15, 2026. Fellows will obtain their own employment visas, working with AUW to provide the needed documentation. For visas Fellows will need a letter from Bangladesh authorities, and an invitation letter from the university. Fellows will be reimbursed the cost of the visa when they arrive in Chittagong.
ELIGIBILITY
AUW welcomes all recent college graduates with strong academic and extracurricular records who share an unmitigated passion for women’s education to apply to this program.
The candidates must be native-like English speakers.
Candidates must complete the Fellowship Application and participate in an informational interview. Acceptance is on a rolling basis.
For further information contact Hannah Taylor at Hannah.Taylor@asian-university.org
TESTIMONIALS
May Yuasa, Cornell ’24 –
Since coming here, I have experienced a world of growth and learning opportunities from both my teaching experiences and living abroad in Bangladesh. The teaching experience at AUW is quite unique due to make up of their student body. I have the opportunity to interact with students of various ethnic, social and religious backgrounds that allows me to oversee a place where differences in perspectives are embraced and diversity is celebrated. In just these few short months, I had the pleasure of working with such dedicated and resilient individuals that have inspired me to work harder and contribute to something that goes beyond my own aspirations.
While this position does come with its challenges like navigating a new country and the unique dynamics of an AUW classroom, I believe those very challenges build skills that are not only useful in career settings but also in personal growth. I highly recommend this fellowship to any recent grads who are passionate about women’s education.
Samantha Fisher, Yale ’24 –
What drew me to AUW in the first place was its unique sense of purpose, and the idea that I’d get to be part of a network of positive change—if I helped one student, they would help more, more students would follow in their footsteps, and change would spread across communities. My students have more than surpassed my expectations-they are all incredible young women, who have often faced serious hardship, and are all dedicated to making the world a better place. I feel very privileged to be a part of their journey. I’m also so grateful for the close community formed among the Teaching Fellows—it’s been unlike any other in my experience. I would strongly recommend the Teaching Fellows program to anyone passionate about education and service.
Olivia Moss, Bath ’27 –
When I joined AUW, I never would have considered myself sheltered—I believed I had a solid understanding of the world and how it works. However, my time here has continually challenged that notion, as I am constantly learning from our incredible students and the environment around me. This fellowship has profoundly shaped me for the better, and I have formed lifelong friendships with both staff and students. I now advocate for myself and others with greater confidence and have become more organised, resilient, and self-assured. While the experience can be challenging, I am supported by a wonderful community of other fellows, whom I know I will remain connected with long after we leave Bangladesh. When I return to my home country to complete my studies, I will do so as a stronger student, a better friend, and a more thoughtful person.
Dominic De Santes, Georgetown ’23 –
The most rewarding aspect of this fellowship is teaching our incredible students. Our students come from remarkable backgrounds and teachers have a lot of freedom to create a personalized learning environment to uplift our students. While other teaching abroad opportunities may offer chances for travel or immersion, this fellowship is centered around the classroom and your role as an educator for an international student body. I have developed close relationships with my students, and I am dedicated to their success. This also means our classroom is a place of cultural exchange and dialogue that you cannot find elsewhere.
Summary of Universities/Colleges participated in AUW Teaching Fellowship Program
