Resources for Global Studies and Study Abroad
The Institute for International Education (www.iie.org)
The number of Americans studying overseas keeps growing as more career opportunities require international knowledge and skills. Probably you'd like to share that life-transforming experience. But what if you simply can't afford it?
Acting with colleges and universities and with support from the U. S. government, the IIE is helping make study abroad affordable. The IIE administers many study abroad scholarships and fellowships on behalf of the U.S. Government and other sponsors, including Fulbright, Gilman, NSEP/Boren, Freeman-ASIA, Whitaker, and others, some of which provide special funding for study of critical languages. The IIE provides a wealth of practical information through its main site (www.iie.org) and its study abroad portal (http://www.iienetwork.org/?p=studyabroad). The goal is "to increase the number and diversity of American students who go abroad and to encourage study in places of growing strategic importance to the United States," says IIE President Allan Goodman. IIE provides the same support for faculty who want to go overseas.
The following is a summary of IIE resources for students and faculty to seriously consider. Note that some application deadlines are fast approaching:
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
The Gilman Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, offers scholarships for students with financial need who have been traditionally under-represented in education abroad. Website: www.iie.org/gilman ║ Deadline: October 7, 2008║ Sponsor: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Boren Scholarships & Fellowships
Funding from the National Security Education Program (NSEP) supports U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests. Up to $20,000 for undergraduates and $30,000 for graduate students depending on cost and length of program. Website: www.borenawards.org ║ Deadlines: January 29, 2009 (graduate students), February 11, 2009 (undergraduates) ║ Sponsor: National Security Education Program (NSEP)
Freeman Awards for Study in ASIA (Freeman-ASIA)
The primary goal of Freeman-ASIA is to increase the number of American undergraduates to study abroad in East and Southeast Asia, by providing students with the information and the financial assistance they will need. Website: www.iie.org/freeman-asia ║ Deadline: October 15, 2008 (for Spring semester) ║ Sponsor: Freeman Foundation
Fulbright Program: The 2009-10 U.S. Student Competition
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program equips future American leaders with the skills they need to thrive in an increasingly global environment by providing funding for one academic year of study or research abroad, to be conducted after graduation from an accredited university. Included in the Fulbright U.S. Student Program are English Teaching Assistantships which provide opportunities for U.S. students to assistant teach English language and conversation alongside host country English teachers in select countries in Asia, Eastern and Western Europe and Latin America. Website: http://us.fulbrightonline.org ║ Deadline: October 20, 2008 ║ Sponsor: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Global Engineering Education Exchange Program (Global E³)
Global E³ is a study abroad exchange opportunity for undergraduate (and some graduate) engineering students to be exchanged between top U.S. and international engineering programs. Website: www.globale3.org ║ Deadlines: First Monday in October (for Spring), first Monday in March (for Fall/Academic year)
IIE Internship Programs in Budapest & Mexico City
The IIE European and Latin American offices host internship programs for college students or recent graduates who wish to gain cultural and professional experience while interning with an international non-profit organization. Website: www.iie.hu (Budapest), www.iielatinamerica.org (Mexico City) ║ Sponsor: IIE European and Latin American Offices
The Language Flagship Fellowships
The Language Flagship, an NSEP initiative, is designed to help individuals achieve superior-level proficiency in certain critical languages. The Language Flagship Fellowship is an award for up to two years for post-BA students to support their intensive language study at Flagship institutions in the U.S. and overseas. Website: www.iie.org/flagship ║ Deadline: January 16, 2009 ║ Sponsor: National Security Education Program (NSEP)
Whitaker International Fellows and Scholars Program
The Whitaker Program supports biomedical engineers (and bioengineers), from graduating seniors through post-doctorates, in conducting high-quality research or study overseas. Website: www.whitaker.org ║ Deadline: Late January 2009 ║ Sponsor: The Whitaker Foundation
For More Information...
IIEPassport
IIEPassport materials help students find the right program and provide advisers with tools to help counsel students and promote study abroad. IIE provides a searchable database of study abroad programs, www.IIEPassport.org, and a wealth of tools for students and advisers – newsletters, city and country portals, destination of the month brochures, calendars, maps, and timely tips.
Study Abroad Funding
The online search engine at www.StudyAbroadFunding.org allows students and advisers to search by country or subject to find study abroad grants and scholarships.
Open Doors: Statistics on International Student Mobility
Open Doors is a long-standing, comprehensive information resource on international students in the United States and U.S. students who study abroad. Open Doors features graphic displays, data tables and figures, and to-the-point policy-oriented analysis. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Open Doors data tables are also available on the web at http://opendoors.iienetwork.org.
Study Abroad Capacity Research
This new IIE policy research initiative addresses the issue of expanding American students’ international experience and the issue of capacity abroad to host them. This initiative offers educators and policymakers focused data and information on current capabilities and future capacity, as well as recommendations for action to maximize resources and pave the way for substantial study abroad growth. Download white papers at http://www.iienetwork.org/?p=StudyAbroadCapacity.
IIE Briefing Papers
These papers offer a rapid response to the changing landscape of international education, offering timely snapshots of critical issues in the field. They are intended as a resource for the higher education community and other interested individuals. www.iie.org/researchpublications
The Andrew Heiskell Awards for Innovation in International Education
IIE created these awards to promote and honor the most outstanding initiatives that are being conducted in international higher education by IIENetwork member universities and colleges. Program and policy best practices, including Study Abroad winning programs and honorable mentions, are featured on IIE's "Best Practices in Internationalization" website. www.iienetwork.org?p=BestPractices
IIEBooks
IIE’s online bookstore makes the IIEPassport books on US education abroad, the Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, IIE’s research reports and other must-have publications available to all educators and administrators. www.iiebooks.org
