Following our Q&A with Erin Bream, a Fulbright Scholar from July 2005 – July 2006, we compiled a list of international scholarship and fellowship opportunities with their respective deadlines. This is just a short list of opportunities available for undergraduate, graduate and PhD students as well as current professionals. Included below you will find a brief synopsis of the program, what it entails, the duration of the program and the deadline for application. We have included programs whose deadlines have already past as a point of research reference for the following year. If you have any programs that think should be included, please include in the comments below and we will amend our list.
Boren Undergraduate Scholarship Application Deadline: February 10, 2010 Program Duration: From an academic semester to a full year
The Boren Undergraduate Scholarship program provides worldwide undergraduate students with a cultural and linguistic immersion in areas of the world that are deemed critical to the future of national security in the United States. The scholarships are awarded with the commitment of the applicant pursuing work in the federal government. The program allots $10,000 for a semester or $20,000 for a full year.
English Teaching Assistantships (ETA) offer American undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to teach English and foster cultural understanding of the United States in a foreign country. The host country designs the ETA program, therefore programs may vary by country. Opportunities are available in Africa, Asia, Easter Europe, Eurasia, the Middle East, Western Europe and the Western Hemisphere. For specific countries involved in the program, pleaes click on the link. Round-trip airfare, a sustainable monthly stipend and limited health benefits are included in the scholarship. Allowances awarded are largely dependent on the cost of living in the host country.
Four awards are given to American undergraduate students to research the impact that music plays as a global force. Applicants may investigate music in the context of culture, learning, social-activism or any area that pertains to the power of music in a society. In addition to the Fulbright Scholarship application, the applicants must submit a Documentation and Outreach plan explaining how they will share and document their research throughout their year abroad. Round-trip airfare, a sustainable monthly stipend and limited health benefits are included in the scholarship. Allowances awarded are largely dependent on the cost of living in the host country.
The Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship provides additional financial aide for American students who are pursuing a study abroad program during the Summer and Fall semesters. The students must be majoring in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math. The award allots up to $5,000 in financial aide with an average award of $3,000.
The Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Foreign Affair Fellowship program is designed to fund outstanding graduate school applicants who are pursing a two-year master’s degree program in public policy, international affairs, public administration, or related academic fields such as business, economics, political science, sociology, or foreign languages. The purpose of the program is to provide financial assistant and foreign service mentorship for students who are committed to working in the State Department. Included in the award are tuition, room, board, and mandatory fees during the first and second year of graduate school. Each year’s award also includes reimbursement for books and for travel (one round trip per academic year, up to a set maximum amount).
The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship, established by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council, encourages the world’s brightest talent to pursue their PhD degree programs in Hong Kong’s institutions. There is a monthly stipend of HK$20,000 (approximately US $2,600) and a travel allowance of HK$10,000 (approximately US$1,300) for conference and research related expenses per year for a period of three years.
Application Deadline: Past, Applications for 2011-2012 open in February 2010 Program Duration: Varies
Each year, the Traditional Fulbright Scholars Program, sends 800 faculty members and professional abroad. They are charged with the mission to lecture and conduct research in a variety of academic and professional disciplines. The program includes travel and living costs in-country for the grantee and their accompanying dependents.
Erin Bream - Fulbright Scholar in Colombia (July 2005 - July 2006)
Today we are kicking off our series exploring 10 different international experiences. We wanted to give you an insider perspective on how to achieve a work life balance while incorporating time abroad into your professional career.
We recently sat down with Erin Bream, a Washington state native, who took the initiative to live and travel abroad as a Fulbright Scholar after graduating from Claremont McKenna College in 2005. Shortly after graduation, Ms. Bream was accepted to the Fulbright Scholarship program where she lived and worked in Bogotá, Colombia researching small business and micro enterprise development. We explored her journey, from July 2005 – July 2006, to help you understand how being a Fulbright Scholar can take you internationally.
Going Global: What is a Fulbright Scholar?
Erin Bream: In the after math of World War II, Senator Jay William Fulbright proposed the best way to prevent a third World War was to foster cultural understanding among nations. That gave birth to the Fulbright Scholarship, a State Department Bureau of Education and Cultural Affair sponsored academic scholarship. The scholarship fosters cultural research and cooperation in over 155 countries, among the best and the brightest, for a period of 10 – 12 months. The application process is completely self-directed. The applicant chooses the destination country and writes a research proposal for further cultural investigation. My program was specifically for candidates that were graduating from university; however there are programs that do not require application through an educational institution.
GG: Why did you choose to do a Fulbright Scholarship?
EB: I had studied abroad in Cuba during college and had such a wonderful experience being immersed in a place that was completely different from my own. Cuba has a different language, political system, economic system and culture. When I came back from that experience, the only thing that I wanted to do was to go abroad again to another Spanish speaking country.
One of the fascinating things about Cuba was the economic change that I saw taking place. Because of some minor governmental changes, small businesses were springing up around the island. In the larger context of Cuba, this is very notable. Although I had initially chosen to go to Cuba because I was intrigued and troubled by their human rights records, when I got there the most interesting thing was the power of small business to transform people’s lives. I wanted to do a Fulbright in Cuba but there are no diplomatic relations at this time. So I looked for another Spanish speaking country that had a notable record of human rights violations that also had a history of business development. That is how I chose Colombia. Having come out of my undergrad, I wanted to continue on this global experience and explore this topic further.
GG: What was the tipping point that encouraged you to pursue a Fulbright scholarship in Colombia?
EB: It was the incredible potential opportunity that I didn’t think would be available at any other point in my life. There aren’t many times in a person’s life when you can effectively be subsidized by your own government to do anything you want to do. It was an opportunity to choose where I wanted to go to better learn a language I wanted to learn and study something that I was intensely interested in. No one was telling me what to do or how to do it. It was also fully subsidized. I also had several job offers at the time one of which I accepted one of the job offers. I was able to defer it a year; however, even if I had not been able to defer it I still would have taken the Fulbright Scholarship. I realized that jobs come and go, but scholarships like this are much out of the ordinary. It was too great of an opportunity to pass up.
GG: How did you find this opportunity?
EB: I found it through my university. I was interested in international scholarship opportunities and had heard about the Fulbright Scholarship. I took the initiative and attended an information session to learn more.
GG: How did you prepare for to be a Fulbright Scholar?
EB: Although I didn’t know it, I had been preparing for the application process throughout college career. My major was in International Relations and Economics; I had studied abroad; and kept abreast of international current affairs. It was a desire to go abroad, a strong academic record and international knowledge that prepared me for my experience. These were things that I could not have crammed for but had been building unintentionally throughout my entire college experience.
GG: What type of planning did it involve?
EB: I didn’t really know how to prepare because I had a vague idea of what I was getting into. I just did it. I didn’t know where I would live, what the food was like, what Colombian Spanish sounded like. I read a little bit about those things but I didn’t really have a full-fledged plan. I simply figured it out when I got there and everything turned out to be fine. Little preparation is ok because it usually turns out differently than you would have planned either way. That was the best take away.
GG: What were the costs associated with being a Fulbright Scholar and how much did it cost you?
EB: There was the cost of immunization, getting a visa, flights, transportation, housing, food & travel. As a Fulbright Scholar, you receive a monthly stipend from the State Department. In total it cost me approximately $500 a month to sustain myself not including extensive travel.
GG: What was your favorite part about living in Colombia?
EB: The people. It was meeting so many wonderful people and making wonderful friends that I otherwise would not have met. It sounds very cliché and it is. You travel to other places and realize that people are the same everywhere. It is a wonderful lesson not only to learn but also to internalize.
GG: What was your least favorite part about living in Colombia?
EB: My least favorite part was the challenges I faced sometimes integrating into the social groups and the culture. I wanted to go and live like a Colombian. This of course is broad, much like living like an American. There is no one kind of American or Colombian. I found that sometimes I was an outsider because I was different.
GG: What are 3 steps that you can recommend for someone who wants to pursue an international experience as a Fulbright Scholar?
EB:
Do your research and understand the opportunities out there. Look at the Fulbright Research Program, the Fulbright Teaching Program and the Rotary Scholarship for different international experience scholarships.
Apply. It sounds very basic but I know of quite a few people who have been intimidated by of the idea of applying, having the right qualifications, etc.
While you are applying for the scholarship, keep pursuing as many opportunities as possible. I continued to interviewing for job opportunities just in case I was not awarded the scholarship.
For more information about the Fulbright Scholarship programs, visit http://www.fulbrightonline.org/. To learn more about the various international exchange scholarship programs, visit the Council of International Exchange of Scholarshttp://www.cies.org/.
You realize that you want to go internationally. You understand that taking a two-week vacation to an all-inclusive resort in Cancun sipping frozen margaritas is not truly an international experience. Congratulations because you have identified the first step to discovering an in-depth international experience, whether it be living, working or traveling abroad. The following list was designed to give a 360° perspective on the various choices that exist when choosing a life abroad, regardless of a set amount of time or age. These experiences, particularly the work experiences, have been chosen to be applicable to either interns or career searchers.
Over the next few weeks, we will be exploring each of these international opportunities in detail through a series of interview. These people’s stories will provide you with the necessary information to take the leap into pursuing one of these international experiences. Please feel free to share your experiences as well.
International Internships:
International internships are similar to an internship program in that you gain valuable work experience and build your professional skills. The advantage however is that in this process, you are also experiencing living in a new country, learning a new language, making international contacts, etc. These types of opportunities are available through a universities’ international student center, directly with multi-national companies like L’Oreal or Forrester Research, or with third-party programs such as the British Universities North America Club, BUNAC or the American Institute For Foreign Study, AIFS. The good news is that depending on the individual internship program, you may or may not need to be a current student to participate or be eligible.
Studying abroad:
Studying abroad is conducting your academic course work in a foreign country. Many universities have sister schools in a variety of countries thus making it a very simple process to do a semester or full year abroad. For example, Webster University, based in St. Louis, Missouri, has schools in Thailand, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, China and Austria all that transfer credit from school to school. Study abroad programs are available through your host university or a third-party program. Study abroad programs also vary as to whether or not it is required to be a current student.
Volunteering abroad:
Does working or studying abroad not serve the greater international community in the best way for you? Consider an international experience as a volunteer. There are countless opportunities all over the world to help serve the greater good. The length of volunteer programs varies from a 1-week to a 2-year commitment. A great resource for this option is the Transitions Abroad Volunteer Worldwide resource page.
Temporary or Full-time work assignments:
Pairing a job with a desire for an international experience is a great way to discover the world. Multi-national companies such as American Standard and Shell have satellite offices all over the world. These types of companies provide the opportunity to stay within the same company but live all over the world.
International Fellowships and Scholarships:
International fellowship and scholarship programs serve as a great launching pad to an international career. Not to be confused with a traditional work program, fellowships and scholarships offer the participant the autonomy to explore their topic of study without any set parameters. Fellows and scholars are typically funded for daily living expenses such as tuition, tickets, room & board, etc.; unlike traditional study abroad or interning programs that have out of pocket expenses. The Institute for International Education (www.iie.org) is a great resource to begin searching for these opportunities.
International teacher:
Teaching is a skill that transcends all physical borders. There are two options to pursue an international teaching career. The first is to become part of an International school. There are a host of international teaching job fairs all over the world. Three organizations that host these fairs worldwide are the International School Services (ISS), Search Associates and the Council of International Schools (COIS). For more information on these career fairs, visit each of their websites. Having a teaching background and an International Baccalaureate (IB) teaching certification are definite resume boosters.
An alternative if you do not have a teaching certification is to teach ESL (English as a Second Language). There are a variety of programs all over the world that only require a Bachelor’s degree. The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET) and Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) are widely popular and offer a rich cultural experience.
Foreign Service Employee or Intern:
Charged with the mission of maintaining foreign affairs, State Department employees or interns serve as official representatives of the United States abroad. With over 265 posts worldwide, the possibilities for an international experience are endless within State Department. Consulates and Embassies are typically located in the capital or a major city in that country. Depending on the country that you would like to work in, you may be eligible to apply to a Consulate Office different than your home country. This will depend on the individual Consulate Office.
Army:
The Army has bases spread out all over the world. There are two tracks for working internationally with the Army. The first is to be an enlisted soldier and perform your duties for the Army abroad. The second is to work as a civilian for the Army in a specific country. The latter choice is generally available if you are already living within that country.
United Nations or working for an International Organization:
Created in the immediate aftermath of World War II in 1945, the United Nations serves as a non-partisan governing body of over 190 sovereign nations that promote international peace, security and cooperation. Aside from pursuing a career directly with the United Nations’ headquarters in New York City, there are dozens of affiliated nongovernmental organization’s (NGO) located all over the world. These organizations foster international cooperation in specific industries. Examples of these organizations are the World Health Organization (headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland), the International Court of Justice (headquartered in The Hague, the Netherlands) and the International Monetary Fund (headquartered in Washington D.C.).
Gap year:
Coined in Great Britain, a gap year was typically a break taken by a student between high school and college. The gap year has evolved into a more mainstream opportunity for anyone who is pursuing a year long break that encompasses travel. This type of international experience can be as meticulously planned or open ended at the discretion of the traveler. The most common gap year travelers are the British, Australians, Germans and the French. Many take the opportunity to work and travel around the world. To learn more about gap year traveling, use these resources like www.gapyear.com or www.transitionsabroad.com.
Northwestern University junior, Asha Toulmin, gives insights to becoming the next 2009 Student Diplomat.
Have you been dreaming of becoming a student diplomat? Well now is your chance. The global education magazine for students, NAFSA: Association of International Educators and Abroad View, is hosting a video contest to crown the next 2009 Student Diplomat.
The Student Diplomat Contest is an annual contest that fosters global thought through study abroad and international experiences. Previous winners include 2008 Student Diplomat Katherine Lonsdorf, a 2009 graduate from Occidental College, and 2007 Student Diplomat Hammad Hammad, a senior at Georgetown University. This year the Student Diplomat contest utilizes video to capture these lifetime experiences through rich media. The contest is open to undergraduate students from across the country that are either currently studying abroad or have studied abroad since Spring 2005. Not sure what to talk about in particular? Students are encourage to draw upon their study abroad experience and understand how this has shaped their perspective as a global citizen, helped to foster peace or cross-cultural understanding. The videos should be no longer than three minutes.
Entries are due by 11:59 p.m. EDT, November 6, 2009. Expert panelist chosen from Abroad View Foundation and NAFSA: Association of International Educators will select the finalist videos. The videos will then be posted on November 17, 2009 to the Contest Site where everyone can vote on their favorite video. The winner and 2009 Student Diplomat will be crowned from a combination of winning the popular and panelist votes. The 2009 Student Diplomat will receive a $300 cash prize and the title of “2009 Student Diplomat”
Here are the important points to remember:
Be crowned the “2009 Student Diplomat” & win $300 cash by submitting a 1-3 minute video about your study abroad experience.
Make a video about how this experience has enriched your global perspective or how you made a positive impact on the local community abroad. *Quality, relevance to the theme, and creativity will be key evaluations.
Deadline for submissions is November 6, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. EDT.
Finalists will be posted on the Contest Site on November 17, 2009.
The winner will be chosen from the finalist by the panel of judges and the community.
***About NAFSA: Association of International Educators – With nearly 10,000 members, NAFSA: Association of International Educators is the world’s largest professional association dedicated to international education. Abroad View, the global magazine for students, seeks to foster global understanding and cultural awareness among study abroad students and international students.
Going Global is the leading provider of country specific career and employment resources for individuals interested in working outside of their home country. More than 500 universities around the world currently subscribe to Going Global for use by their students, staff and alumni. We provide Country Career Guides, USA City Career Guides, corporate profiles for the world's leading employers and a job search database with over 500,000 worldwide job and internship listings. You can learn more about us at Goinglobal.com.
