Study Abroad Scholarships and Work Opportunities
Studying or working abroad as a college student provides a unique opportunity to gain a global perspective, enhance cross-cultural communication skills, and build an international network.
Study Abroad Scholarship Programs
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The Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers opportunities for college students, recent graduates, and young professionals to engage in international exchange experiences. It is one of the most prestigious exchange programs, designed to increase mutual understanding between the United States and other countries.
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Study and Research Grants
Students can receive funding to conduct research or pursue a graduate degree abroad. This is tailored to students' academic or creative interests, allowing them to work on independent projects.English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Program
Participants serve as English teaching assistants in schools or universities abroad, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and English language skills.Specialized Programs
Some countries offer Fulbright participants opportunities in specific fields, such as public health, business, or environmental sciences.Professional and Cultural Exchange
Participants immerse themselves in a host country's culture while sharing their own. They act as cultural ambassadors, promoting understanding and building global connections.
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Funding: Covers travel, living expenses, health benefits, and often tuition (if applicable).
Professional Development: Provides unique experiences that enhance resumes and graduate school applications.
Global Network: Access to an extensive alumni network of leaders in various fields.
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Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen.
Education: Typically for seniors, recent graduates, or graduate students. Some opportunities may also exist for younger undergraduates through other Fulbright-related programs.
Field of Study: Open to all disciplines, though applicants need a clear, compelling project proposal or teaching rationale.
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The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is a U.S. government initiative that provides financial support to undergraduate students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad. It aims to increase access to international education and promote diversity among students participating in global programs.
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Awards up to $5,000 to cover study or internship abroad costs, including tuition, housing, airfare, and other expenses.
Additional funding of up to $3,000 is available for students studying a Critical Need Language (such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Russian).
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Encourages participation from underrepresented groups, including students from minority backgrounds, first-generation college students, and those studying in non-traditional locations.
Supports students from a wide range of academic disciplines.
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Helps participants develop critical intercultural skills and a global perspective.
Prepares students for the global job market and leadership roles.
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Financial Need: Must be a Pell Grant recipient.
Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen.
Enrollment: Open to undergraduate students in good academic standing at a two- or four-year institution.
Program Type: Must participate in a study abroad or internship program eligible for credit at their home institution.
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The Critical Language Scholarship Program is a United States Department of State cultural and educational exchange program which offers approximately 500 undergraduate or graduate level students from the United States the opportunity to participate in an intensive language study abroad.
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Language Immersion: Intensive summer language institutes in over 14 critical languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Korean, Turkish, Hindi, and more.
Cultural Exposure: Participants engage with local communities, host families, and cultural activities to deepen their understanding of the language and region.
Professional Growth: Alumni have access to a network of language learners and professionals in international affairs, government, and education.
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Fully Funded Program: Covers tuition, travel, accommodations, meals, and cultural activities.
Career Advancement: Develops language skills that are highly valued in global careers, particularly in fields like diplomacy, national security, and international business.
Language Certification: Participants receive proficiency assessments that can bolster their resumes.
Global Networking: Connects participants with like-minded peers and professionals worldwide.
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U.S. Citizenship: Applicants must be U.S. citizens at the time of application.
Enrollment in Degree Program: Open to undergraduate and graduate students at U.S. institutions, including community colleges.
Academic Standing: Must be at least 18 years old and in good academic standing.
Language Level: Open to students with varying levels of proficiency, from beginners to advanced speakers, depending on the language.
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The Cultural Vistas Scholarship is a financial aid program designed to support students participating in unpaid international internships or work-study programs organized by Cultural Vistas, a nonprofit organization promoting international exchange and global skill development.
The Cultural Vistas Scholarship is especially beneficial for college students seeking meaningful international work experience while managing financial constraints.
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Global Work Experience: Provides funding for students interning abroad through Cultural Vistas programs, such as the CBYX (Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals) or customized internships in various industries.
Professional Development: Participants gain hands-on experience in international settings, developing cultural fluency and professional skills.
Networking: Access to a global community of peers, mentors, and alumni working in diverse fields.
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FundFinancial Support: Covers costs like housing, travel, and daily living expenses for participants of unpaid internships.
Global Exposure: Encourages cross-cultural understanding through immersive experiences.
Career Growth: Builds resumes with international work experience, enhancing competitiveness in the global job market.
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Enrollment in Cultural Vistas Programs: Available to participants of unpaid internships or exchanges facilitated by Cultural Vistas.
Financial Need: Awards are need-based, prioritizing students who might not otherwise be able to afford international internships.
Academic Standing: Applicants must be in good academic standing and demonstrate commitment to professional and personal development.
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The GoAbroad Study and Intern Abroad Scholarship is a financial assistance program aimed at supporting students who plan to participate in study abroad or international internship programs. Sponsored by GoAbroad.com, a leading platform for international education and travel opportunities, the scholarship helps reduce the financial barriers to global learning experiences.
The GoAbroad Study and Intern Abroad Scholarship is ideal for students seeking transformative global experiences but facing financial challenges. It enables participants to gain academic, cultural, and professional benefits while contributing to their development as global citizens.
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Global Education: Supports participation in study abroad programs, allowing students to enhance their academic and cultural knowledge in a new environment.
International Internships: Provides funding for internships abroad, helping students gain valuable professional experience and cross-cultural skills.
Networking: Encourages students to engage with international peers, faculty, and professionals to build global networks.
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Financial Support: Awards scholarships ranging from $500 to $3,000, depending on the program and funding availability.
Cultural Immersion: Enables recipients to fully immerse themselves in new cultures, fostering global awareness and adaptability.
Professional Development: For internships, students gain hands-on experience in international workplaces, which enhances resumes and career prospects.
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Program Enrollment: Applicants must be accepted into a study abroad or internship program listed on GoAbroad.com or affiliated with their partner organizations.
Academic Standing: Must be in good standing at their home institution.
Essay or Video Submission: Typically requires an application that includes a personal statement or creative project explaining the applicant’s goals and how the experience will impact their personal, academic, or professional growth.
Financial Need: Some scholarships prioritize students who demonstrate financial need.
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The Tortuga Backpacks Travel Scholarship is a funding program designed to support students who are passionate about traveling and expanding their global perspectives through study abroad programs. Sponsored by Tortuga Backpacks, a company known for its travel gear, the scholarship encourages young people to pursue international education by helping to alleviate some of the financial burden.
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Study Abroad Support: Provides financial assistance to students enrolled in a study abroad program to help cover travel-related costs.
Cultural Exploration: Encourages students to immerse themselves in a new culture, enhancing personal and academic growth.
Global Networking: Promotes connections with peers from around the world, fostering cultural exchange and understanding.
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Monetary Award: Recipients receive a $1,000 scholarship to help cover expenses such as airfare, program fees, lodging, and other travel costs.
Travel Gear: Some recipients may also receive a Tortuga travel backpack, which is designed for convenience and efficiency during international trips.
Cultural Enrichment: Enables students to engage deeply with their host community, enhancing their global awareness and perspective.
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Enrollment in Study Abroad: Applicants must be accepted into an accredited study abroad program.
Full-Time Student Status: Must be a full-time undergraduate student at a U.S. institution at the time of application.
Essay Submission: Applicants are typically required to write an essay explaining their travel goals, how they plan to make the most of their study abroad experience, and why they need financial assistance.
Financial Need: While not always required, financial need is often considered during the selection process.
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The Hostelling International USA (HI USA) Explore the World Scholarship is a program designed to provide financial assistance to individuals aged 18-30 who wish to travel abroad for educational, volunteer, or service-learning experiences. The scholarship aims to promote cross-cultural understanding and global exploration.
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International Travel Support: Helps fund meaningful travel experiences, such as study abroad, service projects, or cultural immersion programs.
Global Learning: Encourages recipients to engage deeply with new cultures, learn from diverse communities, and gain global perspectives.
Community Impact: Supports travelers participating in activities that promote social impact and community development.
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Travel Funding: Provides up to $2,000 to cover travel-related expenses such as transportation, lodging, and program fees.
Cultural Enrichment: Facilitates transformative international experiences that enhance cultural understanding and personal growth.
Networking Opportunities: Connects recipients with a global community of like-minded travelers and past scholarship winners.
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Age Requirement: Must be aged 18-30 at the time of application.
Residency: Open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Travel Purpose: Applicants must have plans for a service, educational, or volunteer-oriented trip abroad. Tourism-focused trips are not eligible.
Financial Need: Applicants should demonstrate financial need and explain how the scholarship will enable them to pursue their travel goals.
Program Affiliation: Must be traveling to a destination where Hostelling International (HI) hostels are located.
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The AIFS (American Institute for Foreign Study) Study Abroad Scholarship is a financial aid program designed to help students fund their study abroad experiences. AIFS, a leading organization in international education, offers various scholarships and grants to make global education more accessible to students from diverse backgrounds.
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Study Abroad Programs: Supports participation in AIFS-run study abroad programs in countries across Europe, Asia, Latin America, and beyond.
Cultural Immersion: Encourages students to immerse themselves in a new culture while earning academic credits.
Diverse Fields of Study: Offers programs in a wide range of disciplines, from liberal arts to STEM fields.
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Financial Support: Scholarships range from partial awards to funding covering significant portions of program fees.
Examples include merit-based scholarships, need-based grants, and specialized funding for underrepresented groups.
Academic Enrichment: Allows students to study at prestigious institutions abroad while benefiting from AIFS's structured programs and support services.
Personal Growth: Promotes intercultural understanding, language learning, and adaptability through immersive experiences.
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Enrollment in an AIFS Program: Must be accepted into a study abroad program organized by AIFS.
Academic Requirements: Typically requires a minimum GPA (e.g., 2.5 or higher) and strong academic standing.
Financial Need: Need-based scholarships require evidence of financial need (e.g., FAFSA or equivalent documentation).
Diversity and Merit Scholarships: Open to students from diverse backgrounds or those with exceptional academic or extracurricular achievements.
Essay Submission: Most scholarships require an application essay outlining the applicant’s goals, motivations, and how the scholarship will support their study abroad experience.
Other Sites with Opportunities
Work Abroad Opportunities
Austria and Switzerland
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The Austrian-American Educational Commission (AAEC) is a program managed by the Fulbright Commission for the Austrian Ministry of Education the Arts and Culture (BMUKK) since 1962. The AAEC offers a U.S. Teaching Assistantship Program for college graduates from the United States to experience working as secondary school teaching assistants in communities throughout Austria. Not only do assistants serve as valuable linguistic models for English instruction, they are expected to be a resource for information regarding the “American way of life” and informal representatives of the United States.
Assistants are assigned to one to three Austrian secondary schools and are required to assist teachers of English in classroom instruction for 13 hours per week. Because placements differ from one another, assistants are expected to work independently in a wide variety of institutional settings and have the ability to negotiate cultural differences on a day-to-day basis.
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The International Summer Camp Montana is a privately owned and operated camp in the Swiss Alps for boys and girls from all over the world, from 8 to 17 years of age. For over 50 years, International Summer Camp Montana has employed European traditions in the development of physical and intellectual achievement. The philosophy of the camp is to provide both an outdoor and healthy living experience, through sport, in a creative and wholesome environment. Through the wide range of activities offered, our campers are enriched in both mind, body and spirit.
International Summer Camp Montana is always seeking energetic, talented and responsible people with a commitment to education, leadership and development. If you are interested in apply to become a staff member at the camp, please Staff Information for applicants for the program at http://www.campmontana.ch/PDF/Staff_Information.pdf.
Spain, South Korea, China, Thailand and beyond
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The CIEE aims "to help people gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world." CIEE sends individuals to various countries to teach, live, learn and grow overseas. As part of their programs, CIEE provides: a salaried teaching placement, informational in-country orientation, TEFL classes, travel and medical insurance, pre-departure and emergency support staff, VISA application advice and housing at the beginning of your stay.
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The International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) offers a Teaching English Abroad program that provides volunteers with the opportunity to teach English in countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. IVHQ’s programs are designed to cater to all skill levels, including those with little or no teaching experience, and include a range of support services, including pre-departure training, in-country orientation, and ongoing assistance from local staff.