U.S. Government Funded International Education Exchange programs, such as the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship, the Critical Language Scholarship, Peace Corps, or Fulbright, are nothing short of life-changing. Participants of these programs, known as grantees, often realize that the skills they developed from living, studying and/or working abroad make them much more qualified and successful in achieving their personal and professional ambitions. But specifically identifying how these programs benefit grantees, what tangible skills they acquire, and how these skills and experiences make the grantee a more competitive candidate in the job market, the literature sparse and unsatisfactory at best.

Whether you are considering applying to an exchange program as a college student or you are a successful program alumnus/alumna ready to enter the workforce, you might find yourself asking these same questions...