Finn Leahy ’25 Selected for U.S. Teaching Assistantship in Austria

Recent Whitman College graduate Finn Leahy ’25, from Carbondale, Colorado, has been awarded a prestigious U.S. Teaching Assistantship (USTA) to teach English in Austria during the 2025–2026 academic year.

The USTA program places recent college graduates in Austrian secondary schools to support English language development and inspire cross-cultural exchange. Although it’s administered by Fulbright Austria, the assistantship is a separate initiative supported by Austria’s Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research.

“I was so excited,” says Leahy. “I immediately called my parents to share the news, and I obsessively talked about it for the next few days.”

Making Global Connections

At Whitman, Leahy double majored in German Studies and Politics. He hopes to continue to learn about the people, culture and politics of the German-speaking world.

“Speaking the same language as someone else brings that immediate sense of connection,” he says. “It opens up a whole new way to meet people, express yourself and build mutual understanding.”

Leahy will begin his teaching assistantship in the town of Jennersdorf in October. He hopes to connect with the local community and fully immerse himself in the culture.

“I’ve invested so much time into learning this language—it would be a shame not to pursue it as much as I can,” he says. “If all goes well, I hope to apply for a second year.”

After the USTA, Leahy plans to pursue a graduate degree in international or global affairs.

Pursuing a Global Education

In addition to his major studies and language learning, Leahy strengthened his global ties by mentoring other Whitties interested in learning German and by studying in Munich during his junior year. With support from the German Studies Department and Off-Campus Studies, Leahy spent a full year studying at one of the most prestigious research universities in Germany.

While abroad, he landed an internship with the Munich City Museum, thanks to the support and guidance he received from Whitman’s Career and Community Engagement Center (CCEC). The center provides one-on-one advising and workshops to help students explore careers, secure internships and fellowships and prepare graduate school applications.

“Whitman’s CCEC has been really helpful when applying for these types of things,” he says. “The staff in the Fellowships and Grants office helped me review and strengthen my application.”

Students from all academic disciplines are strongly encouraged to apply for postgraduate opportunities like the USTA. To receive personalized guidance throughout the application process, students can connect with the career coach who specializes in their academic division: Caitlin Kiesz for social sciences, Cat Diebel-Wilson for humanities and Lindsay Szramek for STEM.

Standing Out in a Global Field

Whitties are known for landing national and international fellowships. Since 1992, Whitman students studying German Studies have been awarded a wide range of fellowships, grants and research opportunities. Within the last two decades, 22 students have been awarded a Fulbright to Germany or Austria and 11 have been awarded the USTA in Austria.

Professor of German Studies and Philosophy Julia Ireland ’90 says that faculty intentionally mentor students early on in their Whitman careers—encouraging them to study abroad and pursue postgraduate opportunities while connecting them with the CCEC so they can take advantage of the alumni network and fellowship support and resources.

“We want students to think of the Fulbright as part of the larger narrative of their life,” says Ireland, who received the competitive award as a student.

“Career-boosting opportunities came my way—a lot of collaborative things—that were a direct result of having won a Fulbright,” she says. “It’s the gift that never stops giving.”