PohnpeiState, one of four States in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) hosts the national government of this central Pacific island nation. The island of Pohnpei is lush, with many waterfalls, extensive mangrove swamps (home to mangrove crabs!) a high, mountainous center and small villages along the coast. It boasts the fascinating prehistoric ruins of Nan Madol, as well as the premier intellectual think-tank on Micronesia, the Jesuit-run Micronesian Seminar.
In July 2006, WorldTeach began its first full academic year program on Pohnpei, with seven volunteers teaching at three schools in Kolonia, Madolenihmw, and Kitti. Volunteers receive 3-4 weeks of orientation. There is great need for native English speakers as instructors, and for volunteers who have taught math, science, English, health, and social studies classes. In 2008 WorldTeach sent three volunteer instructors to the College of
Micronesia Pohnpei Campus in Kolonia; two teaching English and one teaching math.
Like the rest of Micronesia, the culture of Pohnpei is in transition, with the resultant challenges to individuals, families and communities. Schools have also come under transition and we anticipate that the WorldTeach FSM program will continue to grow, with requests for more volunteers and placements in other FSM States (Yap and Chuuk).
Volunteers should be prepared to teach math, science, or English, and be flexible to the needs of the school. Applicants with college classes in math and science will be given preference, although a math or science degree is not a requirement.
Pohnpeian is the native language, but English is commonly spoken throughout the FSM, especially on Pohnpei. High school students will know English to varying degrees, from fluent to beginner. Classes will be taught in English.
There are both public and private schools on Pohnpei. Primary education is compulsory for Grades 1–8. Children are required to begin first grade at the age of six. Entrance to high school is determined by achievement on a high school entrance examination. About one-third of the elementary graduates pass the examination annually. Schools strive to teach English Language Arts, Vernacular Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Cultural Studies, Health, and Physical Education.
Volunteers will live in Kolonia, the main town on Pohnpei, or in Madolenihmw or Kitti, the sites of the two rural high schools on the island. Volunteers will live together in apartments or houses. Micronesians are welcoming and thoughtful volunteers should have no problem getting to know the interesting culture of the FSM.
Natural staple foods throughout the FSM are fish, breadfruit, pandanus, coconut, bananas and papaya. Micronesians raise chickens and pigs and eat a lot of imported rice as well as imported canned meats. There is a wide variety of US and Japanese imported food at the three grocery stores in Kolonia. Pohnpei has mangrove crabs which are highly sought-after by foreigners and locals alike. In addtion to canned meats, some Micronesians get their protein from fish, both the smaller reef and the larger ocean fish. There are a number of good restaurants on Pohnpei, and an excellent restaurant at The Village, a charming hotel that replicates a romantic notion of South Pacific, complete with spectacular views, thatched roof buildings, and a first-class chef.
Length of Program
The program begins with orientation, lasting from mid-July through mid-August. Following in-country orientation training, volunteers will teach for one academic year at their assigned school. The school year begins in late August and runs through late May.
Applications are processed on a rolling basis. One or two early applicants might be accepted for the program, but due to the competitively few teaching spaces available in Pohnpei, the decisions for the upcoming year's program will not be made until February, six months before the July departure.
This program is fully-funded by the Pohnpei State Department of Education through money allocated by JEMCO, the Joint Economic Management COmmittee of Micronesians and Americans, which oversees the grant money to Micronesia from the Compact of Free Association with the United States. This generous funding provides the cost of pre-departure and preparation, round-trip international airfare from a US departure city (most likely Los Angeles), orientation, health insurance for volunteers aged 18-49, a monthly volunteer stipend and a monthly allowance for food.
There is a $2,000 required deposit that will be refunded to volunteers upon completion of the program.
WorldTeach need volunteers who are comfortable with math and science, and who were successful at their own college math, science, or English classes.
Volunteers must be native English speakers, hold a bachelor’s degree (in any subject), and must be between the ages of 18 and 74 by the departure date. Volunteers must be flexible, committed to teaching and international development, and must have the desire to live and teach in a remote location.
For the three placements at the College of Micronesia applicants must have master's degrees.
Supplemental Insurance Information
While abroad, WorldTeach requires its volunteers to possess supplemental insurance. WorldTeach fully covers the price of this supplemental insurance for volunteers between the ages 18-49. Volunteers aged 50-64 should plan to pay an extra $100 a month for this supplemental insurance. Volunteers aged 65-74 should plan to pay an extra $300 a month for this supplemental insurance.
