Posted below are exchange, study abroad, and other travel opportunities for teens and teachers. Some programs are grant-funded, some have scholarships, and some cost LOTS of money. Either way, I encourage students and colleagues to apply and raise funds for these wonderful travel opportunities:
FOR STUDENTS:
The Air Force Research Laboratory (*FREE*) - The AFRL Scholars Program offers stipend-paid summer internship opportunities to undergraduate and graduate level university students pursuing STEM degrees, as well as upper-level high school students. The selected interns gain valuable hands-on experiences working with full-time AFRL scientists and engineers on cutting-edge research and technology and are able to contribute to unique, research-based projects.
American Youth Leadership Program (*FREE*) - This provides opportunities for students and educators to travel abroad on a three- to four-week exchange program.
AmeriCore ($ PAYS $) - Program that engages more than 75,000 Americans (ages 16+) in intensive service each year at nonprofits, schools, public agencies, and community and faith-based groups across the country.
BirthRight Israel (*FREE*) - For anyone of Jewish heritage between 18-25 years old, the BirthRight program will provide a free ten-day trip to Israel. This typically includes roundtrip airfare, accommodations, meals, and admission to tourist sites.
CityYear - If you are not sure what to do after school, you want to live somewhere in the US besides South Carolina, and you enjoy helping others, this opportunity could be for you.
Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (*FREE*) - This program provides merit-based scholarships to high school students, recent vocational graduates and young professionals for an academic year of study in Germany.
Council on International Educational Exchange - CIEE is a nonprofit study abroad and intercultural exchange organization that transforms lives and builds bridges between individuals and nations by sponsoring a wide variety of opportunities for the exchange of ideas and experiences. CIEE helps people develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world, and contributes to a more peaceful global community by humanizing international relations. It's a reputable, great place to research an array of exchange opportunities.
De La Howe School for Agriculture (*FREE*) - While not an international experience, this residential public school gives students a chance to live in McCormick, SC and is focused on providing a unique and challenging agricultural education program. The school, the first statewide program of its kind in the nation, allows students to receive hands-on training in the fields of agriculture, agribusiness, forestry, land management, food science, and more - all aimed at assessing the needs of modern farms.
DCPS Study Abroad (*FREE*) - In the off-chance you move to the Washington, DC area, this opportunity could be for you! According to their site, "Every student deserves a world of possibilities; that's why DCPS developed a study abroad program. DCPS Study Abroad helps ensure that our global citizens have access to global experiences, so that travel becomes the expectation rather than the exception for students. DCPS' 8th grade, 11th grade, Certificate 3, and Opportunity Academies students who are studying a World Language are eligible for short-term study abroad programs targeting language immersion, cultural immersion, and service learning."
EF Tours Global Citizen Scholarship (*FREE*) - The Global Citizen Scholarship is awarded annually to students who strive to be global citizens in their daily lives and demonstrate a commitment to tackling global issues.
Global Kids - Global Kids' summer programs build global competency by informing students about critical foreign policy issues, providing opportunities for travel, and connecting them with international affairs experts and peers worldwide.
Inspiring Girls (*FREE*) - Inspiring Girls offers tuition-free summer wilderness expeditions to places like the Rocky Mountains or Alaska Range. Specifically for high school girls from 15 to 17, these professionally guided expeditions are designed for 8-9 girls and include 12 days of exploring. Some trips give preference to girls in a specific geographic area.
ISE - In addition to helping students from other countries travel into the US to study, this non-profit organization also helps American high school students live abroad. The organizations they partner with have been trained and certified over many years of working in student exchange. Together, they put together the most impactful programs at the lowest cost possible.
Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Abroad (YES Abroad) (*FREE*) - This program provides merit-based scholarships to study abroad for an academic year.
National Geographic Student Expeditions - Summer trips for teens all organized through NG; trips cost money but scholarships are available.
National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) (*FREE*) - This opportunity provides merit-based scholarships to learn less-commonly studied foreign languages in summer and academic year immersion programs abroad.
PeaceCorp ($ PAYS $) - Two-year program for U.S. citizens 18 and older who are curious about the world and committed to helping others.
Rotary International - The Rotary Club operates one of the largest and longest-run private study abroad funding programs offering up to $25,000 in scholarships to fund one year of academic study, room and board, and other associated expenses. Students are named Cultural Ambassadors and are expected to give presentations both on their home culture while abroad and on the culture of their study abroad destination upon returning home. Scholarships are given through local branches.
South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts & Humanities (*FREE*) - Located in upstate SC, this is a year-long public residential high school for emerging artists. The school gives artistically talented high school students from across the state the opportunity to study their art in a supportive environment of artistic and academic excellence.
South Carolina Governor's School for Science & Mathematics (*FREE*) - Located in Hartsville, SC, this is a year-long residential high school for academically motivated juniors and seniors pursuing studies in science, technology, engineering and math.
STARTALK (*FREE*) - This program offers students (K–16) and teachers engaging opportunities to learn critical languages through groundbreaking approaches to language education.
Student Youth Travel Association Foundation - SYTA is geared towards development of global awareness. The organization provides group educational tours and also provides scholarships for essays written about a special travel experience.
U.S. Armed Forces ($ PAYS $) - Although you might get sent to a war zone, the pros of joining the military counterbalance this con; one pro is being stationed in a foreign country!
FOR TEACHERS:
Fulbright Awards
Fund for Teachers
JET Program
National Geographic Student Expeditions Trip Leader Opportunities
US State Dept. Bureau of Education & Cultural Affairs Exchange Programs