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home | study, work, and travel | work abroad | americans of color abroad
Americans of Color Abroad
Introduction
Americans of color are increasingly moving into the international arena.
Opportunities for study abroad, work abroad, and international careers
are greater than ever. In areas such as international diplomacy and
business, overseas partners of the United States welcome official representatives
who personally symbolize the diversity of America. There's a world of
opportunity for Americans of color!
Study Abroad
Study abroad is ideal as an introduction to living abroad. You will
normally get full academic credit towards your degree. Cultural, political,
and historical insights, as well as foreign language competence, can
all be gained rapidly. And it's easy to make international friends for
life. Study abroad can be surprisingly affordable. If you have Financial
Aid, it can be used for any U-M study abroad program. No one should
rule out going abroad for financial reasons!
U-M Undergraduate Study Abroad Programs
The University of Michigan offers a large selection
of overseas study programs in Africa, Asia, Europe,
and Latin America & the Caribbean. Programs last
for a summer, or a semester, or an academic year.
Some programs require no knowledge of a foreign language,
while others require basic or intermediate knowledge.
For more information, refer to the following resources:
Office of International Programs (OIP)
1712 Chemistry Building
734.764.4311
oip@umich.edu
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Administers the official U-M study abroad programs.
Informational sessions are given from October
through December. Application deadlines begin
in January for Fall, Spring & Summer terms,
or September for Winter term. |
| Global Intercultural Experience for Undergraduates Program (GIEU) |
This is an experiential short term intercultural
study program of a global nature. The GIEU Program
sends small groups of U-M students for inexpensive
3-4 week spring/summer learning experiences,
directed by U-M faculty members. Student applications
for Spring/Summer term are due in early November.
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U-M Center for Human Growth & Development-The
Minority Health and Health Disparities International
Research Training (MHIRT) Program
300 N. Ingalls Building
734.764.2443
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This Center offers fully-funded research experiences
abroad in Chile, China, South Africa, Jamaica,
and Ghana for undergraduates and medical students.
African-American, Hispanic, Native American and
Pacific Island students are particularly encouraged
to apply. Research focus is on biomedical or behavioral
research on topics related to child health development.
The application deadline for summer placements
is in November. |
U-M College of Engineering, International Programs in Engineering (IPE)
Room 245
Chrysler Center (North Campus)
734.647.7129
coe-international@umich.edu
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The U-M College of Engineering sponsors engineering
study abroad and internship programs for undergraduates
and graduate students. Sophomores or juniors may
enroll in regular universities and take core engineering
courses that are applicable to the U-M degree. |
U-M International Center
734.764.9310
icoverseas@umich.edu;
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Although the U-M International Center does not administer programs, it
has information on all options for study, work and
travel abroad. Plus, peer advisors can give you a first-hand perspective on going abroad. |
U-M Graduate Study Abroad Programs
It is entirely possible to study abroad after graduation, either with
scholarships such as Fulbright, Rotary, Marshall, and Rhodes, or by
attending a graduate program which has study abroad as an integral part
(such as the U-M Business School's International MBA Program). Also,
many graduate students do research and internships abroad. And there
are a great many opportunities for overseas work, before and after graduation.
See listings below for U-M offices offering scholarships for graduates
and graduate students.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Financial Aid
If you already receive Financial Aid, this is usually
the best source of support for study abroad. All U-M
programs are supported by Financial Aid. For information,
see an advisor in the U-M Office of International
Programs (see above). Your aid can be increased
to cover extra expenses such as overseas airfare.
Apply for Financial Aid at:
U-M Office of Financial Aid
2011 SAB
734.763.4119
Make sure to put on the form that you will be studying abroad, and mention
the specific U-M study abroad program. Application deadlines are
in January for Spring/Summer terms, and March for Fall/Winter terms.
Study abroad also can be done through other universities, but it is
currently very difficult to apply Financial Aid to non-U-M programs.
Scholarships
The following scholarships are for U-M students ONLY:
The following scholarships are for U-M students and other university students:
| Institute of International Education (IIE) Gilman Scholarship |
Offers up to $5,000 for use with any study abroad
program. Eligibility is restricted to undergraduate
students who currently receive Pell Grants. Apply
online. Deadlines twice a year: In October
for study abroad in the next Winter term, and
April for the Fall Term & Academic Year. |
| Institute of International Education (IIE) Freeman-Asia Scholarship |
Offers amounts ranging from $3,000 (summer)
to $5000 (semester) or $7000 (year) for undergraduate
study abroad in East and Southeast Asia. Apply
online. Deadlines in October for study abroad
in the next Winter Term, in March for the next
Summer, and in April for the next Fall Term &
Academic Year. |
| Institute of International Education (IIE), Midwest Office |
Offers a scholarship of $1,000 for undergraduates
or graduate students who have not previously studied
abroad. It can be used for any destination, any
program. Applications for study in non-Western
countries are especially encouraged. US citizens
or permanent residents only. The application
deadline is in March for study the next Spring/Summer
term, or during the next academic year.
NOTE: this scholarship is temporarily suspended
for 2006. |
MHIRT programs through other universities:
Minority
Health and Health Disparities International Research
Training Grant (MHIRT) |
Program formerly funded by the Fogarty International Center, now at the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, is intended to encourage minority undergraduates and medical students to engage in health-related research. This web site lists all MHIRT-funded programs based at colleges and universities, some of which are open to applicants on a national basis. |
National Security Education Program (NSEP) Scholarships
U-M students only:
U-M Office of International Programs
734.764.4311
Non-U-M students:
Undergraduates and Graduates:
www.iie.org/nsep
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Anyone considering study in most areas outside
of Western Europe should consider applying for the National Security
Education Program (NSEP), a large government scholarship for study abroad.
Students of color are especially encouraged to apply. Application
deadline is in January for study in the following academic year. The program has a service commitment with U.S. government agencies working in national security. |
| Fulbright, Rotary and other major international scholarships. |
The rule with special scholarships for overseas study is to apply early!
Deadlines for applying start as early as March for study in
the academic year 1 & 1/2 years later (Rotary Scholarships, available
for undergrads and graduate students). Fulbright Scholarships
(for graduating seniors and graduate students) should be applied for
by mid-September for the next academic year. See the International
Institute's Fulbright page for more information. |
Scholarship & Grant Resources
Financial Aid and Scholarships) (for University of Michigan students)
Study Abroad Web Sites, Financial Aid and Scholarships
Funding
International Internships and Research (for University of Michigan students)
Work Abroad and International Careers
A huge variety of work abroad is possible, from summer jobs in Europe
to teaching in Asia or Africa. You can earn enough to save money in
some of these positions. Find out at the International Center
just how easy it is to get work abroad! Here are some options... For
specifics, please see each of our handouts by the same name.
- Short-Term Paid Work Abroad. Australia, Britain, Canada, Costa Rica, Ireland, France, Germany,
New Zealand. For students or recent graduates.
- International Internships.
Available worldwide, these can be for academic credit, or unpaid, or
(rarely) paid.
- Teaching English Abroad. A popular
option for graduates. Mostly Asia and Europe.
- Volunteer Work Abroad. The Peace Corps leads
the list of opportunities for working for a cause
or working in developing countries. "Volunteer"
does not necessarily mean unpaid--Peace Corps is
probably the best-paid entry-level job in a developing
country for an American.
- Funding Undergraduate and Graduate International Internships.
International Careers and Internships
Here are a few options which might be especially attractive for students
of color interested in an international career. Information and applications
for all of the following are available at the International Center.
| U.S. Department of State Internships |
This is a great way to see
if a career in diplomacy is for you. Internships with the U.S. diplomatic
and international commerce services, these are available in Washington
and overseas. Paid and unpaid positions are available. Application are submitted online. The U.S. Department of State gives information sessions at U-M in Fall and Winter terms.Application
deadlines are November 1 for summer internships, March 1 for Fall Internships,
and July 1 for Spring Internships. |
| The Woodrow Wilson International Fellowship Foundation |
Offers several scholarship/internship programs for students from underrepresented
minority groups interested in international careers. Most fund several
years of undergraduate and graduate study and include summer institutes
and internships. Scholarships for graduate students are also available.
Undergraduates may apply in their sophomore year for the three undergraduate programs; seniors
may apply for the graduate programs application deadlines are in February):
- U.S. Department of State Thomas R. Pickering
Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program. A 3-year
scholarship for students interested in careers in
diplomacy with the U.S. Department of State. Leads to
a Masters Degree and a position with the State Department.
The Graduate program is for 2 years.
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| Institute for International Public Policy |
This program, administered by the United Negro College Fund Special Programs Corporation, is designed to prepare minority students for careers in international affairs. Past
internship placements have included the U.S. Department of State, the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee, General Motors Overseas Division,
the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Woodrow Wilson
Center and the White House. Application deadline is March 1. |
U.S. Foreign Service
(career positions) |
The Foreign Service includes the U.S. Department of State, (diplomacy), the Department of Commerce
(international trade and business), and the U.S. Information Agency
(cultural and educational exchanges). A strong recruitment drive is
underway for Americans of color. To apply, you simply take the Foreign
Service Exam, which is similar to the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or other standard tests except
that it includes a section on international knowledge. It's given once
a year (in Ann Arbor, too) and costs nothing. Most people take it more
than once before passing. Since only the highest score counts, there's
no reason not to take it! See the Department of State's website for the
next exam date. Also consider a State Dept internship (above) which
does not require the exam. Applications and a videotape on the Foreign
Service are available from the U-M International Center or Career
Planning and Placement. |
U.S. Peace Corps
U-M Peace Corps Office:
U-M International Center, Room 10
734.647.2182
peace.corps@umich.edu
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This is possibly the best (and best-paying) entry-level job for anyone interested in working with developing countries. For those with at least a bachelor's degree, this two-year program pays
all expenses plus cash at the end of the stay. Full training
and support is provided. Educational loans will be deferred and some
partially cancelled. Some tuition support is available for later graduate
study. |
| International Foundation for Education & Self-Help (IFESH) International Fellows Program (IFP) and Teachers for Africa Program
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Teachers for Africa is a mentoring program places an ethnically diverse group of experienced American administrators, schoolteachers, teachers with special skills, and college professors in formal and informal educational institutions in sub-Saharan African Countries. They have placed over 780 teachers and educators in the following countries: Benin, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Malawi, Namibia and Nigeria. You must be a United States citizen or a permanent resident. There is no fee to apply. Work permits, health insurance and a U.S. stipend is provided monthly. You must have at least 4 years of teaching experience to apply to the program. These volunteers spend one academic year helping to improve the educational system in areas such as curriculum development, teacher trainers, English as a Second Language(ESL), HIV/AIDS, and computer literacy. They are looking for teachers who can teach on the kindergarten level as well as the university level. Applications from minorities and faculty members on sabbatical or leave of absence are strongly encouraged to apply. IFESH also offers the International Fellows Program (IFP), a very selective paid internship program open to graduating seniors and graduate students. Application deadline is February 28. |
Last reviewed: 2/09
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