Work Abroad Advisor

International Opportunities for Students of Color

At University of Michigan, we've had great success using e-mail as a means of outreach to students of color. On-campus e-mail discussion groups from the Black Student Network to the Asian American Alliance have welcomed postings on international opportunities, with impressive response.

The following organizations are among many that especially encourage Americans of color to apply for the international opportunities they offer.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

If a student already receives financial aid, this is often the best source of support for study abroad. Students should contact their college's study abroad office for details. Multicultural and minority affairs offices may offer scholarships, too.

The CIEE Robert B. Bailey Scholarship is for students who self-identify as being a member of a group that have traditionally been underrepresented in study abroad, especially ethnic minority students. This scholarship is available to students participating in CIEE programs for study abroad only. The CIEE John E. Bowman Travel Grant funds the cost of travel and can be used for students attending CIEE study abroad programs in non-traditional locations. These regions currently eligible include Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. Applicants must attend a CIEE Member or CIEE Academic Consortium member institution, and be a participant on a CIEE program. Application deadlines are twice a year, November 1 and April 1 for the following semester. Contact: CIEE: Council on International Education Exchange, 300 Fore St., Portland, ME, 04101; 1.800.40.STUDY or 207.553.4000.

The rule for major scholarships is to apply early. Rotary International offers full scholarships for undergraduate and graduate study abroad. Deadlines, set locally, are as early as March 1996 for academic year 1997-98. Contact: Rotary Foundation, 1 Rotary Ctr., 1560 Sherman Ave., Evanston, IL 60201; (708) 866-3000.

Fulbright Scholarships for graduating seniors and graduate students should be applied for in September 1995 for academic year 1996-97. Study abroad offices can supply information on these and other scholarships.

Directories such as Financial Aid for Study and Training Abroad or Directory of Financial Aids for Minorities can be useful for finding scholarships.

International Organizations

Work Abroad. The Council on International Educational Exchange offers student work abroad programs in Britain, Canada, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Ireland, Jamaica, and New Zealand. CIEE's Bailey scholarship (above) can be used for these, and for study and volunteer programs offered worldwide by the CIEE.

Internships. The U.S. State Department offers around 1,000 paid and unpaid internships with the U.S. diplomatic services, available in Washington and overseas, for currently enrolled college juniors, seniors, and graduate students. Apply by November 1 for summer, March 1 for fall, or July 1 for spring semester internships. Contact: Student Intern Program, U.S. Dept. of State.

The Department of State Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program is intended to encourage outstanding students of color to consider a diplomatic career. Sophomores should apply by early February. Contact: Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program, U.S. Dept. of State.

Volunteering abroad does not necessarily mean unpaid work--the Peace Corps is probably the best-paid entry-level job for an American in any of 90 developing countries. The 2-year program requires a bachelor's degree. With 3,000 new volunteers annually, the Peace Corps is near the top of U.S. organizations in "new hires." Contact: Peace Corps, P.O. Box 948, Washington, DC 20526; (800) 424-8580, ext. 2293.

The Private Sector

The Best Companies for Minorities by Lawrence Otis Graham lists companies with excellent records in recruiting, training, and promoting minorities. Nearly all have international operations and offer internships (if not necessarily abroad). Listed companies such as AT&T, Colgate-Palmolive, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Motorola, Pepsico, Proctor & Gamble, and 3M have formalized global career paths.

William Nolting is the Director of the University of Michigan Overseas Opportunities Office and International Education and the International Work and Study Abroad Editor for Transitions Abroad.