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Five Fellowships That Let You Research or Study Abroad

Do you love to travel the world? Do you get a thrill out of immersing yourself in new languages, foods, and cultures? Are you interested in how people in different countries live, what traditions they practice, and how they’ve responded to historical and global trends? Or do you have specific research or field work that can only be done outside the United States? 

If you answered yes to any of these questions, the graduate and post-graduate fellowships we discuss in this post might be just what you’re looking for. In addition to offering study and research opportunities not available in the United States, these fellowships provide valuable international experience and a chance to step outside of your comfort zone and learn how other societies view and influence the world. As our globe becomes ever smaller and more interconnected, spending time in an unfamiliar country can expand your horizons and make you a more desirable candidate for future academic and professional positions.

Briefly, here’s how these fellowships have affected me personally: The Fulbright and Institute of Current World Affairs fellowships I received after graduate school changed the course of my life and career, opening doors I never thought possible. At the time of this writing, I’m married to a European and have lived abroad for a decade. You never know where these fellowships might take you. That’s part of what makes them so exciting! While these are far from the only international fellowships available, they’re a good place to start. 

Rhodes, Marshall, Churchill, and Gates Cambridge Scholarships

The Rhodes, Marshall, Churchill, and Gates Cambridge scholarships are among the most highly competitive and widely recognized international graduate fellowships. They provide full funding for U.S. students to pursue graduate studies in the United Kingdom, aiming to deepen connections between the two countries. They can also be ideal opportunities for accomplished applicants who find the prospect of learning a new language a bit daunting. 

While students often apply to several of these scholarships at the same time, there are subtle differences between them that you should keep in mind. For example, the Churchill Scholarship is exclusively for students studying science, mathematics, engineering, and science policy. The Gates Cambridge Scholarship offers roughly two-thirds of its awards to PhD candidates. In addition to their scholastic achievements, Rhodes Scholars are chosen for their “character, commitment to others and to the common good, and for their potential for leadership.”

For tips on how to write a standout Gates Cambridge personal statement, read “The Personal Statement that Got Me a Large Scholarship to Cambridge.” 

Fulbright U.S. Student Program English Teaching Assistant and Study/Research Fellowships

Fulbright is the United States’ premier international exchange program, and its U.S. Student Program funds American citizens to study, conduct research, or teach English abroad for nine to 12 months. Generally, it’s more common for students who have just graduated from college to apply for English Teaching Assistant Awards, while graduate students apply for Study/Research Awards. Fulbright also offers special programs that allow you to conduct joint research in neighboring countries or to pursue themed fellowships focused, for example, on the environment, public health, or civil rights. 

Because Fulbrights are offered in partnership with more than 140 countries worldwide, your first step is to create a shortlist of countries for which you’d like to apply and then carefully review the information on each country’s program summary page. This will give you vital information about what specific grant opportunities (and how many grants) are available in the current application year, their language requirements, grant duration, and other application specifics. Note that specific opportunities can vary widely from one country to another. I still think about how different my life would be now if I had chosen to study folklore in South Korea or fairy tales in Germany instead of mythology in Greece. 

For more information about applying for a Fulbright fellowship, read “Five Tips for Getting Started on Your Fulbright Statement of Grant Purpose.”

Institute of Current World Affairs Fellowship

Founded in 1925, the Institute of Current World Affairs (ICWA) advances American understanding of international cultures and events by sending outstanding young professionals abroad on two-year independent writing fellowships to study countries, regions, and globally important issues. The institute provides fellows with full financial support during their fellowships. ICWA alumni have become leading U.S. journalists, scholars, diplomats, activists, artists, and businesspeople.  

When considering an ICWA application, the most important questions to ask yourself are “What do I want to write about?” and “Where do I want to do/focus this writing?” Keep in mind that ICWA fellowships are best suited for candidates who have or are completing graduate studies, are strong writers, and are excited by the prospect of immersing themselves in a foreign culture and independently directing their field work for two years. 

For more information about starting an ICWA application, read “How to Write a Letter of Interest for the Institute of Current World Affairs.”

Luce Scholars Program

The Luce Scholars Program is a competitive, yearlong program that provides emerging leaders with immersive, fully funded professional experiences in Asia. Scholars live and work in big cities and small villages throughout Northeast, Southeast, and South Asia in a wide variety of fields, including economic development, journalism, law, environmental science, public health, and the arts. The program is open to graduating seniors, recent graduates, and young professionals who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The program provides language training and works with selected scholars to arrange tailored job placements with host institutions in Asia based on the scholar’s background, experience, training, and aspirations. 

Schwarzman Scholarship

The Schwarzman Scholarship is a prestigious, fully funded one-year master’s program in global affairs at Tsinghua University in Beijing. It’s designed to build a global network of future leaders with an understanding of China’s role in global trends. As part of an immersive master’s curriculum, scholars gain a broad understanding of China, receive Chinese language instruction, participate in internships with diverse Beijing-based organizations, and receive personalized mentorship from a pool of business, academic, and government leaders. Each class consists of 40% American students, 20% Chinese students, and 40% students from the rest of the world.

For more information about the Schwarzman Scholarship, check out this Admissions Straight Talk podcast episode: “Schwarzman Scholars: For Global Leaders Interested in China.”

A Stanford graduate and the recipient of prestigious fellowships from the Fulbright Program and the Institute of Current World Affairs, as well as a Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans, Steven has taught and mentored students for 20 years. As a published writer, journalist, and former speechwriter for the U.S. ambassador to Greece, he knows how to draw out applicants’ unique stories and craft compelling personal statements that help their applications stand out from the pack. Click here to get in touch.

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